Raksha
 |
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Rakshasa. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2010. |
In Hindu mythology, a Rakshas (Sanskrit for "to be guarded against or warded off") is a kind of evil demon.
Contents |
[edit] Ramayana
According to the Ramayana, the Raksha people (also known as Raksasas) were the mythical inhabitants of Sri Lanka who were said to have lived among the Naga, Yakkha, and Deva, and governed Sri Lanka in 2370 BCE.[1] They were led by Sumali and Sukesha of the Raksha, who were ousted by the Deva with the help of Lord Vishnu, and then subsequently ruled by King Ravana.[2]
The Raksha vanish from history after their mention in the Ramayana, except in Sri Lankan folk stories.[1] European scholars consider the story of Ravana and the Raksha to have been made in historic times, due to the knowledge of Sri Lankan locations mentioned in the stories, and therefore the story is considered not to be based on fact.[1] The Mahavansa also makes no mention of a great Raskha civilization and there is no archaeological evidence suggesting a civilization ruled by King Ravana existed.[3]
According to the Ramayana, the Raksha invaded Sri Lanka and began to harass the Deva. Sumali and Sukesha of the Raksha ruled Sri Lanka before being ousted by the Deva with Lord Vishnu's help. Sunali's grandson Ravana, then went to Sri Lanka, reclaimed his army and conquered Sri Lanka[2] The Ramayana says the Raksha had cities, forts, palaces, parks, dancing halls, stables, and chariot houses.[4] Ravana describes forced marriage as the law of his tribe. So the Raksha may have practised forced marriages. The Raksha were likely to have cremated dead bodies, rather than bury them.
[edit] Kipling
In Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories Raksha the Demon is the name of the Mother Wolf who adopts the "man-cub" Mowgli.
[edit] See also
- Rakshasa
- Hindu mythology
- List of Hinduism-related articles
- Raksha Bandhan: Raksha is the basic spirit with which the festival Rakshabandhan is celebrated. In this festival, a sister ties a string, known as Rakhi, around the wrist of her brother, asking him to protect her. The brother reciprocates by gifting his sister a present and renewing his vow to protect her.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c H. Parker (1909). Ancient Ceylon. New Dehli: Asian Educational Services. 7.
- ^ a b Ramayana Research. (2008). A Short History OF Heladiva. Available: http://ramayanaresearch.com/heladiva.html. Last accessed 14 March 2010.
- ^ H.R Perera. (1988). Buddhism in Sri Lanka - A short history. Available: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bud-srilanka.pdf. Last accessed 02 10 10.
- ^ M.S Purnalingam Pillai (1928). Ravana the Great King of Lanka. New Dehli: Asian Educational Services. 8-13.
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
- H. Parker (1909). Ancient Ceylon. New Dehli: Asian Educational Services. 7.
- H.R Perera. (1988). Buddhism in Sri Lanka - A short history. Available: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bud-srilanka.pdf. Last accessed 02 10 10.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
