Chapter 393

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The Râkshasas, regarded in Indian popular theology as Demons, are called the “Preservers” beyond the Himâlayas. This double meaning has its origin in a philosophical allegory, which is variously rendered in the Purânas. It is stated that when Brahmâ created the Demons, Yakshas (from yaksh, to eat) and the Râkshasas, both of which kinds of Demons, as soon as born, wished to devour their Creator, “those among them that called out ’Not so: oh! let him be saved [preserved]!’ were named Râkshasas.” (Vishnu Purâna, I. v.; Wilson, i. 82.) The Bhâgavata Purâna (III. 20, 19-21; ibid., loc. cit.) renders the allegory differently. “Brahmâ transformed himself into night [or ignorance] invested with a body.” This the Yakshas and Râkshasas seized, exclaiming, “Do not spare it; devour it.” Brahmâ cried out, “Do not devour me; spare me.” This has an inner meaning of course. The “Body of Night” is the darkness of ignorance, and it is the darkness of silence and secrecy. Now the Râkshasas are shown in almost every case to be Yogîs, pious Sâdhus and Initiates, a rather unusual occupation for Demons. The meaning then is that while we have power to dispel the darkness of ignorance—”devour it”—we have to preserve the sacred truth from profanation. “Brahmâ is for the Brâhmans alone,” says that proud caste. The moral of the fable is evident.