Raksha

Raksha is Mowgli's adoptive mother and a supporting character in Disney's 1967 The Jungle Book. She is also Rama's wife.
==Background==
Raksha is introduced as a wolf acquaintance of Bagheera. She is a female Indian wolf, member of the Seeonee pack, who while suckling her own cubs decides also to adopt a human "cub" that her mate Rama has found wandering in the jungle, naming him "Mowgli" (which means "frog" in the Speech of the Jungle) because of his hairlessness.
Defying the tiger Shere Khan, who is determined to eat the man-cub, she reveals that her name is Raksha ("protection/nurture") because of her ferocity as a fighter, and she will fight to the death for any of her cubs, natural or adopted.
Raksha does not play a large role in the Mowgli stories, but occasionally offers her adopted son moral support.
==Appearances==
===The Jungle Book===
Raksha appears at the very start of the film, and is seen at her den with her new pups. Though narration, Bagheera, states that he knew the family, and hoped that the pack would accept the newborn mancub he had discovered. Bagheera initially leaves the baby near the den, but the wolves do not notice as they have already entered the den. Bagheera intentionally startles the baby, causing him to cry. Raksha comes to investigate, and immediately accepts the baby. However, when her mate, Rama comes in, it takes some unspoken persuasion from Raksha for him to accept the mancub as well. Enamored with the baby, Rama accepts the baby, and Raksha carries the basket containing the man cub into the den.
Presumably, Raksha raised Mowgli for ten years. She is seen in a cameo, where Bagheera is describing Mowgli's popularity with the pack. However, she makes no appearances afterward.
===The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story===
Raksha also appears in The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story, voiced by Peri Gilpin.
===The Jungle Book (2016)===
:See the main article: Raksha (2016)
Raksha appears in Disney's 2016 live-action adaption, voiced by Lupita Nyong'o, who also portrayed Maz Kanata in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Patsey in 12 Years A Slave, and Nakia in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 
== Gallery ==
Jungle-book-disneyscreencaps.com-384.jpg|Raksha and her pups
Jungle-book-disneyscreencaps.com-323.jpg|Raksha carries baby Mowgli to her cave
==Trivia==
*Raksha means "protection" in Hindi.
*Despite playing a minor role in the 1967 film, Raksha plays a larger role in Rudyard Kipling's original stories, and the 2016 live-action film.
*Shere Khan attacks and kills Raksha in The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story but it was never shown onscreen while in the 2016 version, Shere Khan attacks and kills Akela onscreen and throws him off the cliff.
*Despite being an Indian wolf, Raksha (along with the rest of the wolves) is more reminiscent of a North American timber wolf in all the Disney versions. This was possibly done to make her more recognizable to western audiences. Indian wolves are usually shorter and slimmer than timber wolves, with shorter reddish brown fur and long, pointier ears.
==Navigation==
Category:Female
Category:Animals
Category:Pure Good
Category:Anthropomorphic
Category:Parents
Category:Cartoon Heroes
Category:Nurturers
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:The Jungle Book Heroes
Category:Spouses
Category:Book Heroes
Category:Disciplinarians
Category:Leaders
Category:Movie Heroes
Category:In Love
Category:Chaotic Good
Category:Loyal
Category:Honorable
Category:Selfless
Category:Merciful
Category:Honest
Category:Protectors of Innocence
Category:Master Orator
Category:Wise
Category:Charismatic
Category:Successful
Category:Thrill-Seekers
Category:Protectors
Category:Chaste
Category:Rescuers
Category:Sensational Six Heroes
Category:Status Dependent on Version
Category:Optimists