| 释义 |
‖ rakshasa|ˈrɑːkʃasa|
Also raksasa, rakshas; fem. rakshasi.
[a. Skr. rākshasa demon, f. rakshas something to be guarded against or warded off.]
In Hindu mythology, a malignant demon, esp. one of a band at war with Rama and Hanuman. Also, an artistic representation of such a demon.
1866Chambers's Encycl. VIII. 101/1 Rakshas, or râkshasa, is, in Hindu Mythology, the name of a class of evil spirits or demons,..imagined..more frequently as mischievous, cruel, and hideous monsters, haunting cemeteries, [etc.]. 1899F. H. Groome Gypsy Folk-Tales p. lxxiv, In the folk⁓tales of India..a rakshasi makes nothing of polishing off the entire population of a city. 1917, etc. [see pishachi]. 1937M. Covarrubias Island of Bali vii. 178 The most complete statue is that of a wild raksasa crowned with skulls. Ibid. viii. 239 The giant Rawana, the raksasa king, a monster of wickedness and lechery. 1967Singha & Massey Indian Dances x. 106 A pair of enormous discs are often held by an unseen helper on either side of the face of a rakshasa or demonic character [in Kathakali dancing]. 1972Daily Tel. (Colour Suppl.) 12 May 58/3 The most feared Indian vampire, the Rakshasa, was all powerful; it animated dead bodies, snatched babies,..could change into any form and lengthen its arms to 80 miles. |