The two rākshasas Hiranyāksha and Hiranyakashyapu were originally the gate-keepers of Vishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity. Once they affronted Sanatkumār, the son of Brahma, when they were cursed by Vishnu who decreed that they would be born rākshasas in three successive lives. In these lives they had to play the part of the enemies of gods and men, and were destroyed by Vishnu as such.[113]
A rākshasa named Jalandhar is stated to have met his death when the chastity of his wife was violated by the god Vishnu in the disguise of her husband.[114]
Mahārākshasas are also known by the name of Brahma rākshasas. A Brāhman dying without imparting all his learning to his disciples or with the guilt of the murder of a Brāhman or a cow on him is believed to enter the order of Brahma rākshasas after his death. In this state he possesses a body without a head. A Brahma rākshasa is also called Khavis.[115][116]
In addition to the wizards and witches mentioned above, there are others the names of which are as follows:—
(1) Dākini, (2) Sakini, (3) Kushmānd, (4) Zod, (5) Dholio, (6) Pāle Marad, (7) Bhuchar, (8) Khechar, (9) Jalaj, (10) Jakharo, (11) Shikotrum, (12) Ashtabhāro, (13) Chand Chani, (14) Chorosi Kāntini, (15) Jogani, (16) Hathadi, (17) Miyali, (18) Ghānchini, (19) Mochini, (20) Baladi, (21) Molani, (22) Khuntini, (23) Suti, (24) Gavati, (25) Bethi, (26) Ubhi, (27) Avi, (28) Chaurār, (29) Madhu Pavanti, (30) Mānsa Khavanti, (31) Bhāsika, (32) Pratāb, (33) Vira, (34) Vāvānchara, (35) Chorāsi Viru, (36) Nao Narasing, (37) Jaikha, (38) Jutaka, (39) Masida, (40) Gāndharavi, (41) Jami, (42) Asmāni, (43) Mamikula,[117] (44) Zāmpadi, (45) Meladi, (46) Balla.[118]
Of the above, the first forty-three together with Chudela or Vantri and Preta are believed by some to be the names of so many Joganis or female evil spirits or witches. The remaining are living Dākans or witches who are believed to cause illness or even death by their evil eye to those on whom they throw a glance.[119]
Wizards live upon ordinary food, witches on air, while pretas require nothing to eat for their maintenance. It is said that their backs and shoulders are covered with filth and emit an offensive odour.[120]
It is generally believed that the spirits of such male members of low unclean castes as die a violent death become Khavis.[121] Some believe that Khavis or Khabith is a Musalmān ghost.[122] Others hold that he is the lord of all ghosts.[123]
Khavis has no head. His eyes are located in the chest. He is as tall as a cocoa-palm or bamboo. He roams about holding in one hand a weapon and in the other a lump of flesh. Those over whom his shadow falls are said to fall ill.[124] His appearance is so terrible that a person who sees him for the first time is frightened to death.[125] It is stated that he starts on his excursions after sun-set.[126]
The attendants of the god Shiva known as Vaitālikas are said to have no heads.[127] They live in cremation grounds, as they have a burning desire to possess the bodies of deceased persons.[128]