A Brahma Rakshasa is a ghost of a Brahmin who committed grave sins during his lifetime. It is believed to be the most powerful ghost and is very difficult to get rid of. People also believe that they have certain powers and can bless people if propitiated. Some Hindu temples have their idols, and people worship them. There are some separate temples dedicated to them in some parts of India.
Definition:
The word Brahmarakshasa comprises of two words, viz. Brahma and Rakshasa. The word Brahma here is used as the short form of Brahmin caste, and Rakshasa is a type of demon that eats human flesh. Therefore, the word Brahmarakshasa means “the demon of a Brahmin”.
Iconography:
In many stories, they are depicted as demons with huge bodies, fierce-looking, having projected tusks, having two horns on the sides of the head, and a shikha like a Brahmin.
The Kathasaritasagara by Somadeva describes it as:
“At that moment, there suddenly came there a Brāhman demon, black as soot, with hair yellow as the lightning, looking like a thundercloud. He had made himself a wreath of entrails and wore a sacrificial cord of hair; he was gnawing the flesh of a man’s head, and drinking blood out of a skull.” – Ch. 12.27
Brahma Rakshasa in Hindu scriptures:
Padma Purana:
“O great king, you yourself are that great god Viṣṇu, who destroys the misery of gods, and who has taken up a (human) form. O highly intelligent one, this Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, and Śatrughna are (born) from your portion. So also is Rāvaṇa, who troubles the gods created. Due to the continuity of former enmity, he kidnapped Sītā, O king. You killed that demon born in the stock of a brāhmaṇa demon.” – Ch. 5.7
“Those preceptors who are regarded as knowers of the hymns and Vedas are not capable of giving all knowledge. Therefore, they are not teachers. O Rāma, generally goblins who are the ghosts of brāhmaṇas know the Vedic hymns and not ones who know the Purāṇas. All who are averse to Purāṇas do not see (i.e., know) everything. Therefore, one who knows Purāṇas is a master who destroys sins.” – Ch. 5.115
“Once when Rāma was playing, a stormy wind knocked him down, and he fell down crying. In the meanwhile, the ghost of a brāhmaṇa seized Rāma and he fainted. Then the boy, his companion, crying hither and thither, informed the king of Rāma in that condition. Then the king took Rāma and spoke to Vasiṣṭha. He asked him: “What is this (that has happened) to Rāma?” Then Vasiṣṭha took sacred ash, consecrated it, and got rid of that ghost of the brāhmaṇa. He asked him: “Who are you?” and he said: “I am a brāhmaṇa, proud of (my knowledge of) the Vedas. Having frequently snatched away the wealth of others, I became a Brahma-ghost. Think of my acquittance.” – Ch. 5.116
Bhagavadgita Mahatmya:
“There was a brāhmaṇa, Kuśīvala by name, who knew the essential nature of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, who was proficient in all holy texts, and whose conduct was good. His wife, named Kumati, was of a wicked mind. He along with his wife, was very greedy and accepted great gifts like a buffalo, a Kālapuruṣa(?), horses, etc., day after day; (but) he did not give (even) a chowrie to brāhmaṇas. As time passed, the two evil spirits, of the form of brāhmaṇa-ghosts, with their bodies oppressed by hunger and thirst, roamed over this earth. They then rested after having come to the root of the palm tree.” – Ch. 6.182
Shiva Purana:
33-36. “You are engaged in discussing Vedas, but you will be ignorant of Vedic principles. May these brahmins prattle that there is nothing else. May these brahmins indulging in lust, heavenly pleasures, anger, covetousness, and pride be shameless beggars. These brahmins will be officiating in the sacrifices of Śūdras, following the Vedic path. They will be perpetually poor and eager to receive monetary gifts. Due to their acceptance of monetary gifts from undeserving persons, they will fall into hell. O Dakṣa, some of them will become brahminical Rākṣasas.” Ch. 2.2.26
Some Common Beliefs About Brahma Rakshasa:
The stories about Brahma Rakshasa are found all across India, and there are different beliefs among people about them. But generally, it is believed that they are very powerful because they are half-god and half-demon. There are very few people in the world who can control them. Mostly, they live on Peepal trees and get angry if anyone harms the tree.
Some stories mention that some people successfully propitiated them and got help from them. As Brahma Rakshasas possess many powers, they can give boons to their devotees.
It is believed that the deity of Brahma Rakshas is located on the southern side of the temple facing the east. It is mandatory to take permission from Brahma Rakshas before commencing the construction activities; otherwise, it hinders the construction work. Pal-payasam is the main offering of Brahma Rakshasa.
Mainly, they are male Brahmins, but female Brahmins also become Brahma Rakshasini.
Who becomes a Brahma Rakshasa:
Three main things make a person Brahma Rakshasa after his/her death.
1. The person must belong to the Brahmin caste.
If a person does not belong to the Brahmin caste, he/she does not become a Brahma Rakshasa. (I think any person who is well-versed in the Vedas can be termed as a Brahmin and can become a Brahma Rakshasa)
2. The person must be erudite and well-versed in the Vedas and the Puranas.
3. He/she must have done some unforgivable sins in his/her lifetime.
Such persons misuse their knowledge when they are supposed to use it for the welfare of others. They eat nonvegetarian foods and also practice prohibited rituals to harm others.
Why does a Brahma Rakshasa trouble others?
1. If someone cuts the Peepal tree.
It is believed that Brahma Rakshasas live on the Peepal tree. Therefore, if someone cuts it, they start troubling that person.
2. Buried money.
If someone finds buried money, there might be a Brahma Rakshasa guarding it. So if you take that money, the Brahma Rakshasa would bother you.
3. If someone cuts an ancient Aak tree.
Sometimes, Brahma Rakshasa resides in an ancient Aak tree. Therefore, one should not cut such a tree.
4. Black magic.
Some Tantriks are powerful enough to make a Brahma Rakshasa enter your house and bother you.
Stories about Brahma Rakshasa:
The Story of Mayurbhatta:
Mayurbhatta was a 7th century Sanskrit poet and scholar and also was the brother-in-law of Banabhatta. Once, the wife of Banabhatta cursed Mayurbhatta to suffer from leprosy.
Soon, Mayurbhatta performed the prayer at the famous Sun Temple at Deo to get rid of leprosy. He used to compose the verses under a Peepal tree in front of the Sun Shrine. Mayurbhatta tied 100 threads on the Peepal tree. He used to compose a verse every day and untied a thread from the tree. He was determined that if Lord Sun did not cure him, he would commit suicide by diving from the tree.
But soon, he got upset with a Brahmarakshas (soul of a Brahmin) who lived on the same peepal tree. Brahmarakshas started troubling him by repeating the lines pronounced by him. Soon the victim, Mayurbhatta, got a tip. He started chanting verses from his nose, which Brahmarakshas, who had no nose, failed to repeat and gave up. After this, Mayurbhatta completed ‘Surya Shatak’ uninterruptedly. However, by listening to the Surya-Shatak, the Brahmarakshas became freed from his phantom-form. Mayur Bhatta was also cured of leprosy by the grace of God.
The Story of Thirunakkara Shiva Temple:
Once upon a time, there was a king in Kerala, who had a friend named Moose who was a priest. The king was not very good-looking, but his friend Moose was very handsome. Therefore, the queen fell in love with him. The poor Moose was unaware of it and was a very pious person. When the king found out about the one-sided love of his wife, he became ferocious and ordered to kill Moose.
But the king’s servants mistakenly killed a junior priest whose wife later became a Brahma Rakshasa (or Rakshasini) and started troubling the people. Therefore, the king built this temple for her.
Azhagiya Nambirayar Temple, Thirukkurungudi:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Nambi, who is a form of Lord Vishnu.
Once there was a great devotee of Lord Nambi, named Nampaduvan, who always used to sing in his praise.
One night, while going to the temple, he was blocked by a hungry Brahma Rakshasa. He threatened Nampaduvan that he would eat him to satisfy his hunger. Nampaduvan was not scared of him. Instead, he told him that he would visit the temple and sing in praise of Lord Nambi first, and then he could eat him. But the Brahma Rakshas did not trust him. At last, Nambaduvan promised that if he did not return, he would get the sin of those who equate Lord Vishnu with other deities.
After hearing this, the Brahma Rakshas was satisfied and allowed him to go to the temple. After singing devotional songs, Nampaduvan started returning to the Brahma Rakshas. On his way, he met an old man, who was none other than Lord Nambi.
The old man asked him where he was going. He told him the story of meeting with Brahma Rakshasa. The old man advised him not to go to see the demon. But Nampaduvan was a very pious person and would never break his promise. Therefore, he did not listen to the old man’s advice and resumed his journey. The old man then appeared in his original form and blessed him.
Nampaduvan went to the Brahma Rakshasa and offered himself to be eaten. But by the grace of Lord Nambi, the hunger of the Brahma Rakshasa was satisfied. Therefore, he asked him just to give the fruits that he bought from the temple after praising Lord Nambi. After eating the fruits, his sins disappeared, and he took his original form.
He thanked Nampaduvan and told him that he was a Brahmin named Soma Sharma in his last birth and was cursed to become a Brahma Rakshasa because of his irregularities in performing yajna.
Temples Dedicated to Brahma Rakshasa:
1. Brahma Rakshas Temple at Manikath Road, Ernakulam 682036, India.
2. Brahma Rakshas Temple at NH 17, Thalikulam, Kerala 680569.
3. Alukkal Brahma Rakshasa Temple in Kottapadi, Guruvayur.
4. Manikkath Temple at Ravipuram Rd, Ravipuram, Perumanoor, Ernakulam, Kerala 682016.
5. Peedikaparambil Brahma Rakshas Temple
66Q5+7RX, Pullut, Kerala 680663
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