Skip to content
Keep the Dark Flame Alive. Support the independent archive.
Donate
Shop Account

Archive

Culture or Region: Hindu and Indian traditions

Journal

Hidimba

Hidimba is a forest-dwelling rakshasa in the Mahabharata who discovers the sleeping Pandavas, orders his sister Hidimbi to lure them…

Read entry
Journal

Hidimbi

Hidimbi is a rakshasi of the Mahabharata who refuses her brother Hidimba’s command to capture the Pandavas, warns them, marries…

Read entry
Journal

Ilvala

Ilvala is an asura or rakshasa remembered for murdering Brahmins through a grotesque deception involving his brother Vatapi, who is…

Read entry
Journal

Jatasura

Jatasura is a rakshasa in the Mahabharata who disguises himself as a Brahmin, lives among the Pandavas, studies their routines…

Read entry
Journal

Kabandha

Kabandha is a monstrous being in the Ramayana, encountered by Rama and Lakshmana as a huge torso with no visible…

Read entry
Journal

Khara

Khara is a powerful rakshasa commander in the Ramayana, ruler at Janasthana, brother of Shurpanakha and leader of the force…

Read entry
Journal

Kirmira

Kirmira is a forest rakshasa in the Mahabharata, brother of Baka and associate of Hidimba, who confronts the Pandavas during…

Read entry
Journal

Pisachas

Pisachas are a broad class of malevolent or afflicting beings in Indian religious and literary traditions, associated with darkness, flesh-eating,…

Read entry
Journal

Pishachinis

Pishachinis are female pisacha spirits in Indian religious, literary and folkloric traditions, associated with night, possession, flesh-eating, seduction, disease and…

Read entry
Journal

Maricha

Maricha is a rakshasa of the Ramayana whose earlier encounters with Rama culminate in his transformation into the golden deer…

Read entry