Rakshasa Yokai

**Rakshasa Yokai** are a variation of Demon Yokai who are known for being man-eaters.

## Physical Appearance

Rakshasa Yokai are humanoid beings. They are described as having sharp claw-like nails, two fangs protruding down from the top of their mouths, and are covered by traditional Hindu outfits. Their limbs are twice as thick as a normal human. They're very tall. Tall enough to tower over normal humans.

## Description

Rakshasa Yokai are notorious for disturbing sacrifices, desecrating graves, harassing priests, possessing human beings, and so on. Their fingernails are venomous, and they feed on human flesh and spoiled food. They are shapechangers, illusionists, and magicians. They can trick humans through their illusions in order to lured them to an undisclosed location so they can eat them alive. Being cannibals, they eat humans as their main diet. Which is why they used their mystic powers to lure humans to their deaths. Putting them on the list of the most dangerous yokai species in the Hidden World due to their diet consisting of eating human flesh.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Rakshasa Yokai have in their arsenal:

* Decelerated Aging or Semi-Immortality
* Enhanced Condition or Supernatural Condition
	+ Contaminant Immunity
	+ Disease Immunity
	+ Enhanced/Supernatural Combat
	+ Enhanced/Supernatural Durability
	+ Enhanced/Supernatural Strength
* Flight
* Illusion Manipulation
* Invisibility
* Magic
	+ Conjuration
* Matter Ingestion
* Natural Weaponry
	+ Claw Retraction
	+ Powerful Bite
	+ Venomous Claws
* Shapeshifting
	+ Animal Morphing
	+ Size Manipulation

### Variations

* Appendage Generation
	+ Multiple Arms
	+ Multiple Eyes
		- 360-Degree Vision
	+ Multiple Heads
* Blood Empowerment
* Fire Aura
* Flame Head

### Notable Rakshasa

Out of the many powerful Rakshasa that existed in Hindu Myth, there were a few cases that demonstrated abilities and power that made them leaders among the other Rakshasa. Some include:

* **Kumbhakarna** was a brother of Ravana. A fearsome warrior and master of illusion, but despite his monstrous size and great hunger, he was described to be of good character, though he killed and ate many Hindu monks just to show his power.
	+ Hibernation
	+ Illusion Manipulation
	+ Matter Ingestion
	+ One-Man Army
	+ Size Manipulation

* **Ravana**, a Rakshasa with 10 heads, was the King of the Rakshasas and the mortal enemy of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. He was also a devout follower of Lord Shiva in addition to his tribe's religious beliefs, a great scholar, a capable ruler, a master musician and astrologist.
	+ Astrology
	+ Encyclopedic Knowledge
	+ Enhanced Charisma
	+ Enhanced Endurance
	+ Enhanced Intelligence
	+ Invulnerability
	+ Magic
	+ Multiple Heads
	+ Powers Via Object/Immortality

* **Vibhishana**, Ravana's younger brother, was a rare good-hearted Rakshasa; he was beautiful, pious and assiduous in his religious observances. When Brahma granted him a boon, he asked never to swerve from the path of righteousness and to be illumined by divine knowledge.
	+ Enhanced Wisdom
	+ Enlightenment
	+ Supernatural Beauty

### Associations

* Asura Physiology
* Chinese Deity Physiology
* Demon Physiology
	+ Divine-Demonic Physiology
* Garuda Physiology
* Hindu Deity Physiology
* Naga Physiology

## Pop Culture

In the Megami Tensei series, Rakshasa is one of the recurring demons that players can get throughout the games. Three characters from Smite (Bakasura, Kumbhakarna, and Ravana) are based on the Rakshasa. Two of them are named after real beings from Hindu and Buddhist religion.

## Variations

### Demon Yokai

Rakshasa are considered to be demons due to their evil reputation. They're well known for disturbing sacrifices, desecrating graves, harassing priests, possessing human beings, and so on.

### Deity Yokai

Rakshasa are well known in Hindu folklore as they are part of the Hindu epics and in the Vedic texts.

## Life in the Hidden World

Rakshasa Yokai are one of the most dangerous yokai species for the humans of the Surface World. They're part of the list along with the Wendigo Yokai and many others due to their human flesh diet. These yokai are masters of shapeshifting, illusions and all forms of magic. They use it to their advantage when targeting their next prey. Rakshasa Yokai are bloodthirsty and enjoys slaughtering their opponents before they eat them. Making them perfect assassins for many crime bosses. However, there are some Rakshasa Yokai who are benevolent. Though it's very rare to see one who aren't as ferocious as most Rakshasa Yokai are. They are powerful warriors, expert magicians and illusionists. As shape-changers, they can assume various physical forms, and it is not always clear whether they have a true or natural form. As illusionists, they are capable of creating appearances which are real to those who believe in them or who fail to dispel them. Some of the rakshasas are said to be man-eaters, and make their gleeful appearance when the slaughter on the battlefield is at its worst.

## Symbolism

Rakshasa, in Hindu mythology, a type of demon or goblin. Rakshasas have the power to change their shape at will and appear as animals, as monsters, or in the case of the female demons, as beautiful women.