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{{Short description|Malevolent beings in | {{Short description|Malevolent beings in Indian religions}} | ||
{{For|the language group|Pishacha languages}} | {{For-multi|the language group|Pishacha languages|the type of Hindu marriage|Paishacha marriage}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} | ||
'''Pishachas''' ({{ | '''Pishachas''' ({{langx|sa|पिशाच}}, ''{{IAST|piśāca}}'', {{ipa|sa|piɕaːt͡ɕɐ|ipa}}) are flesh-eating [[demon]]s in [[Indian religions]], appearing in [[Hindu mythology|Hindu]] and [[Buddhist mythology|Buddhist]] religion. A pishacha is a malevolent being that has often been referred to as the very manifestation of evil.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Piśāca |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241833.html |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== | == Legend == | ||
The [[Mahabharata]] states that the original | [[File:Folio from Kathasaritsagara.JPG|thumb|a later sankrit version of Brihatkatha i.e. Katha saritsagara]] | ||
The [[Mahabharata]] states that the original pishachas was the creation of [[Brahma]]. The epic offers various interpretations of the being, including its residence in the court of [[Kubera]] or Brahma and worshipping the deities of its residence, and its worship of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. The pishachas are described as having fought on the side of [[Ghatotkacha]] against [[Karna]]. But they are also said to have served the [[Kaurava]]s, acting as the horses of the chariot of Alambusha.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Other legends describe them as the sons of either Krodha (figuratively "Anger") or as [[Daksha|Dakṣa]]’s daughter '' | Other legends describe them as the sons of either Krodha (figuratively "Anger") or as [[Daksha|Dakṣa]]’s daughter ''Pishacha''. They have been described as having bulging veins and protruding red eyes. They are believed to have their own languages, known as [[Paishachi|Paiśāci]]. | ||
According to one legend, they are sons of [[Kashyapa]] and Krodhavasa, one of the daughters of [[Prajapati]] [[Daksha]]. The [[Nilamata Purana]] of the 7th century says the valley of Kashmir | According to one legend, they are sons of [[Kashyapa]] and Krodhavasa, one of the daughters of [[Prajapati]] [[Daksha]]. The [[Nilamata Purana]] of the 7th century says the valley of Kashmir was inhabited by two tribes: the [[Nāga|Nagas]] and the Pishachas. | ||
Pishachas like darkness and traditionally are depicted as haunting cremation grounds along with other monsters like [[Bhoot (ghost)|bhutas]] and [[Vetala|vetālas]]. Pishachas are supposed to possess the ability to [[shapeshift]] and assume any form at will, and may also become invisible. They also feed on human [[life energy|energy]]. Sometimes, they possess human beings and alter their thoughts, and the victims are afflicted with a variety of maladies and abnormalities like insanity. Certain [[mantra]]s are supposed to cure such afflicted persons and drive away the pishacha possessing that particular human being. In order to keep the pishacha away, they are given their share of offerings during certain religious functions and festivals. | |||
[[Pāṇini]], in his [[Pāṇini#Ashtadhyayi|Aṣṭādhyāyi]], described the | When burials are not performed properly, the deceased person may be unable to escape the dead body for indefined time, whereby turning into a Pishacha. It loses its ability to eat and drink, turns blind and suffers immensively. However, instinctively crave for the living, and sense their smell and presence, and may assault them.{{efn|''From'' Bănică, M. (2021). Glück, Gott und Gaben: Kultur und Religion der Roma. Aus dem Rumänischen übersetzt von Larisa Schippel (Vol. 44). Frank & Timme GmbH.<br /> | ||
In the [https://www.scribd.com/collections/2493058/Yoga-Vasishtha-Mitra-translation Yoga Vasishtha Maharamayana] translated by V.L. Mitra(1891),Vol 4., CHAPTER LXXXXIV.DESCRIPTION OF A PISACHA, AND THE UNITY OF THE WORLD WITH BRAHMA, there is the following description of the Pisāchas: | '''{{sc|Translation:}}''' {{in lang|en}}<br /> | ||
"If the ritual of sacrifice is lacking or not fully performed, the soul of the dead person (jiva) remains a prisoner indefinitely, unable to enjoy release through death. It then turns into a pisaca - a being unable to eat or drink, deformed and blind, suffering terribly, but instinctively seeking out the living." | |||
<br /> | |||
'''{{sc|Original:}}''' {{in lang|de}}<br /> | |||
"Wenn nun das Ritual für das Opfer fehlte oder nicht vollständig durchgeführt worden sei, bleibt die Seele des Toten (jiva) auf unbestimmte Zeit Gefangene und ist nicht in der Lage, sich der Befreiung durch den Tod zu erfreuen. Dann verwandelt sie sich in eine pisaca - ein Wesen, das nicht imstande ist zu essen oder zu trinken, verformt sich und wird blind, leidet schrecklich, sucht aber instinktiv nach Lebenden."}} | |||
[[Pāṇini]], in his [[Pāṇini#Ashtadhyayi|Aṣṭādhyāyi]], described the pishacha as a "warrior clan".{{quote without source|date=February 2023}} In the ancient literature, the [[Dardic people]] in the north of Kashmir were referred to as "Pishacha" and Dardic languages were called ''Paiśāci''.<ref>[http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/dardestan- Dardestān], Encyclopaedia Iranica, Retrieved 30 January 2020.</ref> They are said to have been descendants of [[Prajapati|Prajāpati]] [[Kashyapa|Kaśyapa]].<ref>The Piśāca languages of north-western India, Sir [[George Abraham Grierson]], Royal Asiatic Society, 1906</ref><!-- | |||
In the [https://www.scribd.com/collections/2493058/Yoga-Vasishtha-Mitra-translation Yoga Vasishtha Maharamayana] translated by V.L. Mitra (1891), Vol 4., CHAPTER LXXXXIV.DESCRIPTION OF A PISACHA, AND THE UNITY OF THE WORLD WITH BRAHMA, there is the following description of the Pisāchas: | |||
"31. The Pisāchas are a sort of aerial beings, with subtile bodies of | "31. The Pisāchas are a sort of aerial beings, with subtile bodies of | ||
| Line 107: | Line 115: | ||
Pisāchas bear analogy to the sons of darkness or fallen angels in the | Pisāchas bear analogy to the sons of darkness or fallen angels in the | ||
black Tartarian regions)." --> | black Tartarian regions)." --> | ||
The famous BrihatKatha which contain a vast collection of Indian legendary tales, written by writer Gunadhya in the 7th-century in Paisachi langiage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brihat Katha |url=https://prepp.in/question/brihat-katha-was-written-in-the-following-languag-6433f5b6ada0ad06bc426123 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Thailand== | ==Thailand== | ||
In the [[Royal Institute Dictionary]], the Thai term "ปิศาจ" (''pisat''), from Sanskrit, ''pishacha'', is defined as "ghost" (ผี).<ref>[http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp ''Royal Institute Dictionary'', 1997 Edition] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303000030/http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp |date=2009-03-03 }}</ref> Although not strictly [[Thai ghosts]], the Pishacha appear in some stories in [[Thai folklore]]. They are among the spirits from the Hindu-Buddhist tradition in [[Thailand]] and are also represented in some [[Buddhist temple]] paintings. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Yakshi]] | * [[Yakshi]], related class of beings in Indian religions | ||
* [[Kanjirottu Yakshi]] | * [[Vetala]], related class of beings in Indian mythology | ||
* [[Kanjirottu Yakshi]], vampiric figure in Indian folklore | |||
* ''[[Pisaj]]'' (2004), Thai film about a pishacha | |||
* ''[[Pisaasu]]'' (2014), Indian horror film based on pishachas | |||
* ''[[Pishachini]]'' (2022), Indian TV series about a female pishacha | |||
* ''[[It Lives Inside]]'' (2023), Indian-American horror film featuring a pishacha | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{notelist}} | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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{{HinduMythology}} | {{HinduMythology}} | ||
[[Category:Indian legendary creatures]] | |||
[[Category:Buddhist legendary creatures]] | |||
[[Category:Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology]] | |||
[[Category:Demons in Buddhism]] | |||
[[Category:Demons in Hinduism]] | [[Category:Demons in Hinduism]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Mythological human-eaters]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Vampires]] | ||
{{Hindu-myth-stub}} | {{Hindu-myth-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 10:49, 5 January 2026
Pishachas (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., piśāca, Template:Ipa) are flesh-eating demons in Indian religions, appearing in Hindu and Buddhist religion. A pishacha is a malevolent being that has often been referred to as the very manifestation of evil.[1]
Legend[edit | edit source]
The Mahabharata states that the original pishachas was the creation of Brahma. The epic offers various interpretations of the being, including its residence in the court of Kubera or Brahma and worshipping the deities of its residence, and its worship of Shiva and Parvati. The pishachas are described as having fought on the side of Ghatotkacha against Karna. But they are also said to have served the Kauravas, acting as the horses of the chariot of Alambusha.[1]
Other legends describe them as the sons of either Krodha (figuratively "Anger") or as Dakṣa’s daughter Pishacha. They have been described as having bulging veins and protruding red eyes. They are believed to have their own languages, known as Paiśāci.
According to one legend, they are sons of Kashyapa and Krodhavasa, one of the daughters of Prajapati Daksha. The Nilamata Purana of the 7th century says the valley of Kashmir was inhabited by two tribes: the Nagas and the Pishachas.
Pishachas like darkness and traditionally are depicted as haunting cremation grounds along with other monsters like bhutas and vetālas. Pishachas are supposed to possess the ability to shapeshift and assume any form at will, and may also become invisible. They also feed on human energy. Sometimes, they possess human beings and alter their thoughts, and the victims are afflicted with a variety of maladies and abnormalities like insanity. Certain mantras are supposed to cure such afflicted persons and drive away the pishacha possessing that particular human being. In order to keep the pishacha away, they are given their share of offerings during certain religious functions and festivals.
When burials are not performed properly, the deceased person may be unable to escape the dead body for indefined time, whereby turning into a Pishacha. It loses its ability to eat and drink, turns blind and suffers immensively. However, instinctively crave for the living, and sense their smell and presence, and may assault them.[lower-alpha 1]
Pāṇini, in his Aṣṭādhyāyi, described the pishacha as a "warrior clan".[This quote needs a citation] In the ancient literature, the Dardic people in the north of Kashmir were referred to as "Pishacha" and Dardic languages were called Paiśāci.[2] They are said to have been descendants of Prajāpati Kaśyapa.[3]
The famous BrihatKatha which contain a vast collection of Indian legendary tales, written by writer Gunadhya in the 7th-century in Paisachi langiage.[4]
Thailand[edit | edit source]
In the Royal Institute Dictionary, the Thai term "ปิศาจ" (pisat), from Sanskrit, pishacha, is defined as "ghost" (ผี).[5] Although not strictly Thai ghosts, the Pishacha appear in some stories in Thai folklore. They are among the spirits from the Hindu-Buddhist tradition in Thailand and are also represented in some Buddhist temple paintings.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Yakshi, related class of beings in Indian religions
- Vetala, related class of beings in Indian mythology
- Kanjirottu Yakshi, vampiric figure in Indian folklore
- Pisaj (2004), Thai film about a pishacha
- Pisaasu (2014), Indian horror film based on pishachas
- Pishachini (2022), Indian TV series about a female pishacha
- It Lives Inside (2023), Indian-American horror film featuring a pishacha
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 www.wisdomlib.org (28 January 2019). "Story of Piśāca". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ↑ Dardestān, Encyclopaedia Iranica, Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ↑ The Piśāca languages of north-western India, Sir George Abraham Grierson, Royal Asiatic Society, 1906
- ↑ "Brihat Katha".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Royal Institute Dictionary, 1997 Edition Archived 2009-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ From Bănică, M. (2021). Glück, Gott und Gaben: Kultur und Religion der Roma. Aus dem Rumänischen übersetzt von Larisa Schippel (Vol. 44). Frank & Timme GmbH.
Template:Sc (in English)
"If the ritual of sacrifice is lacking or not fully performed, the soul of the dead person (jiva) remains a prisoner indefinitely, unable to enjoy release through death. It then turns into a pisaca - a being unable to eat or drink, deformed and blind, suffering terribly, but instinctively seeking out the living."
Template:Sc (in German)
"Wenn nun das Ritual für das Opfer fehlte oder nicht vollständig durchgeführt worden sei, bleibt die Seele des Toten (jiva) auf unbestimmte Zeit Gefangene und ist nicht in der Lage, sich der Befreiung durch den Tod zu erfreuen. Dann verwandelt sie sich in eine pisaca - ein Wesen, das nicht imstande ist zu essen oder zu trinken, verformt sich und wird blind, leidet schrecklich, sucht aber instinktiv nach Lebenden."
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
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