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{{Short description|Class of rakshasas in Hindu mythology}}
{{distinguish|text=TV series [[Brahmarakshas]]}}
[[File:Brahmarakshasa.jpg|thumb|Brahmarakshasa sculpture from [[Maharashtra]]]]
A '''brahmarakshasa''' ({{Langx|sa|ब्रह्मराक्षसः|translit=Brahmarākṣasaḥ}}, {{IPA|sa|brɐʰmɐraːkʂɐsɐḥ|pron}}) is one of a class of [[rakshasa]]s, a race of usually malevolent beings in [[Hinduism]]. A member of the [[Brahmin]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|caste]] who engages in unrighteous deeds is cursed to become a brahmarakshasa after his death.

== Literature ==
{{Hindu mythology}}

=== Manusmriti ===
The [[Manusmriti]] states that a Brahmin who lives a life of Adharma by performing some black magic, seduces the wives of other men, or steals the property of other Brahmins would become a brahmarakshasa following his death.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stutley |first=Margaret and James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQWQDwAAQBAJ&dq=Brahmar%C4%81k%E1%B9%A3asa&pg=PT111 |title=A Dictionary of Hinduism: Its Mythology, Folklore and Development 1500 B.C.-A.D. 1500 |date=2019-04-09 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-62754-5 |pages=111 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Puranas ===
The [[Brahma Purana]] describes a conversation between a [[chandala]] and a brahmarakshasa. When enquired regarding the sin he had committed, the brahmarakshasa revealed that he had once been a Brahmin named Somasharma. Since he had performed a [[Yajna|sacrifice]] on behalf of an ostracised king, in the service of whom [[mantra]]s were forbidden to be employed, he had been turned into a brahmarakshasa.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aLoxEAAAQBAJ&dq=Brahma-rakshasa&pg=PT915 |title=Brahma Purana 1: English Translation only without Slokas: English Translation without Slokas |date=2021-05-15 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=915 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Naradiya Purana|Narada Purana]] describes an episode of [[Kalmashapada]] conversing with a brahmarakshasa, whose abode was a [[banyan]] tree. The brahmarakshasa told the king that he had previously been a wealthy Brahmin from the country of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]] named Somadatta. Having mastered the [[Vedas]], Somadatta had grown arrogant from the knowledge he had acquired and his youth, due to which he stopped heeding his preceptor. He was hence reduced to the state of a brahmarakshasa. Unable to experience happiness, he is described to consume the flesh of Brahmins and lead a life of agony.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3j5KEAAAQBAJ&dq=Brahma-rakshasa&pg=PT211 |title=Narada Purana Part 1: English Translation only without Slokas |date=2021-10-24 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=211 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Skanda Purana]] features the legend of King Viduratha of [[Vidarbha]]. Having accidentally killed a sage during his hunt, he was forced to undertake eleven terrible births. During his seventh birth, Viduratha was born as a brahmarakshasa, possessing sharp and curved fangs, a terrible mouth, and dried-up limbs, and subsisting on a diet of flesh and blood. He was slain by King [[Nimi (Vedic king)|Nimi]] in a war with the [[Brahmastra]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Books |first=Kausiki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9l9QEAAAQBAJ&dq=brahmarakshasa+fierce&pg=PT276 |title=Skanda Purana: Avanti Khanda: 84 Lingas Mahatmya: English Translation only without Slokas |date=2021-10-24 |publisher=Kausiki Books |pages=276 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Folklore ===
Brahmarakshasas were a regular feature in old Indian stories like [[Singhasan Battisi|Simhasana Dvatrimsika]],<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zEh0AAAAIAAJ&q=brahma+rakshas Brahma-Rakshas in stories of Vikramaditya] Stories of Vikramaditya: Simhasana dwatrimsika:Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1963.</ref> [[Panchatantra]]<ref>[http://www.videokeralam.com/kids-story-time/panchatantra-tales-greedy-brahma-rakshas-and-the-thief-kids-animation-stories-video_7a4f2ccd9.html Panchatantra Tales - Greedy Brahma Rakshas And The Thief - Kids Animation Stories]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ivkAAAAAYAAJ&dq=brahma+rakshas&pg=PA321 Brahma Rakshas in Indian stories] Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, Volume 8, By Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.</ref> and other old wives tales.<ref name="A">[http://www.visvacomplex.com/A_Very_Old_Story.html What is a Brahm-Rakshas?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229232031/http://www.visvacomplex.com/A_Very_Old_Story.html|date=December 29, 2010}} A VERY OLD STORY ABOUT LATERAL THINKING</ref> As per these stories, brahmarakshasas, were powerful enough also to grant any boon, money, gold, if they became pleased with any person. In most of the stories, they are depicted as huge, mean and fierce-looking, with two horns on their head like a rakshasa and a [[Sikha|lock of hair]] like a [[Brahmin]] and usually found hanging upside down on a tree. Also a brahmarakshasas would sometimes eat human beings in stories.

It is said that the 7th century [[Sanskrit]] poet [[Mayurbhatta|Mayurabhatta]], who composed the noted [[Surya Sataka]] (one hundred verses in praise of [[Surya]]) was troubled by a brahmarakshasa while performing a penance under a [[Ficus religiosa|peepal]] tree at the [[Deo Sun Temple]] located at the [[Aurangabad district, Bihar|Aurangabad district of Bihar]]. According to legend, the being repeated the verses pronounced by Mayurbhatta, disturbing him. In order to get rid of him, Mayurbhatta started to pronounce his words through his nose. Since brahmarakshasas do not have a nose it left the tree, which immediately turned dry. After the being left, Mayurbhatta could peacefully create the hundred verses in praise of [[Surya]], which cured him of leprosy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Saran |first1=Anirudha Behari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8XimO39s7_gC&q=brahma+rakshas+in+buddhism&pg=PA46 |title=Sun Worship in India: A Study of Deo Sun-Shrine By Anirudha Behari Saran, Gaya Pandey |last2=Pandey |first2=Gaya |date=1992 |isbn=9788172110307 |page=46 |accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref>

== Temples ==
In many Hindu temples of [[Maharashtra]] and states of South India like Kerala and Karnataka, idols of brahmarakshasas are depicted in outer walls and are generally offered [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]. An oil lamp is lit on a regular basis in front of their idols.<ref name="pg3">{{cite news |date=12 August 2014 |title=Vikram Bhatts Brahma Rakshas will not be a replica of an ancient Idol |issue=Page 3 Bollywood |url=http://www.webmail.motiwalas.com/gossips/37/4636-vikram-bhatts-brahma-rakshas-will-not-be-a-replica-of-an-ancient-idol |url-status=dead |accessdate=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907191831/http://www.webmail.motiwalas.com/gossips/37/4636-vikram-bhatts-brahma-rakshas-will-not-be-a-replica-of-an-ancient-idol |archive-date=7 September 2014}}</ref>

There are many temples where the beings are venerated as demigods, like in Malliyor Temple of [[Kottayam]]. In the Kottarathil Bhagavati temple of [[Kerala]], the shrines of the beings are located in the southern side facing the east.<ref>[http://www.malliyoortemple.com/docs/Main.asp?ID=Upadevathas The deity of Brahma Rakshas is located on the southern side of the temple facing the east. It is customary to take permission from Brahma Rakshas before commencing the construction activities.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311151416/http://www.malliyoortemple.com/docs/Main.asp?ID=Upadevathas |date=March 11, 2011 }} The Malliyoor Sree MahaGanapathy Temple in Kottayam district, Kerala</ref>

According to the [[Sthala purana|regional legend]] of the Omkareshvara Shiva temple of [[Madikeri]], the temple is said to have been built by a king to ward off the evil caused by a brahmarakshasa.<ref>[http://www.homestaykodagu.com/tourist_place.html Madikeri]</ref>

At [[Shringeri]], the Malayala Brahma Temple is of a brahmarakshasa.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mustseeindia.com/Sringeri-Malayala-Brahma-Temple/attraction/13917 |title=Legendary stories related to this temple tells that one of the Malayala Brahmana Scholar got a curse and became a Brahma Rakshas for not sharing his knowledge with others. Sage Vidyaranya asked him to serve as a Kshetra Palaka to come out from the curse he got. |access-date=2011-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917051546/http://www.mustseeindia.com/Sringeri-Malayala-Brahma-Temple/attraction/13917 |archive-date=2011-09-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

At the complex of the Kandiyoor [[Shiva]] Temple near [[Mavelikkara]], a separate temple exists for a brahmarakshasa.

In [[Njarakkal]], [[Kerala]], there exists an 800-year-old [[Durga|Bhagavathi]] temple where there are adjacent temples for [[Shiva]], [[Nāga|Nagaraja]], and a brahmarakshasa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kandiyoortemple.org/ |title=Home |website=kandiyoortemple.org}}</ref>

In [[Udupi district|Udupi]] of Karnataka, there are many temples, such as one in [[Maranakatte]], to rid possession or troubles believed to be caused by a brahmarakshasa.

==Southeast Asia==
In countries like [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Java]], whose cultures saw influence from Hinduism, there are shrines elevated on poles. These are erected in the neighborhood of every house for the veneration of nature spirits, some of them identified with brahmarakshasas.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism and Buddhism: An Historical Sketch (Complete) By Sir Charles Eliot|date=1962|isbn=9781465511348|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eC4sbnNUwkcC&q=+Brahmarakshas&pg=PT803|accessdate=7 September 2014|last1=Eliot|first1=Sir Charles}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In 2014, [[Vikram Bhatt]] made India's first 3D creature horror film entitled ''[[Creature 3D]]'' in which the creature or demon is a Brahmarakshasa - a mutant from Indian mythology.<ref name="toi2">{{cite news |date=3 March 2014 |title=Bipasha Basu starrer 'Creature' is a Brahmarakshas! |publisher=Times of India |issue=Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Bipasha-Basu-starrer-Creature-is-a-Brahmarakshas/articleshow/31317059.cms |accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref>

In July 2016, [[Zee TV]] announced the weekly horror based television series titled [[Brahmarakshas (TV series)|Brahmarakshas]].

In the June 2024 film, [[Munjya (film)|Munjya]], Brahmarakshasa was mentioned as well.

In the film, [[Kantara: Chapter 1]], released in October 2025, Brahmarakshasa was featured.

==References==

{{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brahmaraksasa}}
[[Category:Rakshasa]]
[[Category:Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology]]

Brahmarakshasa - Revision history

imported>CareyTorgerson at 17:40, 13 January 2026