Pishacha

What it is

Pishachas are classified as demons or vampires within Hindu and Buddhist traditions. These beings are widely regarded as the very embodiment of evil. They are typically depicted as malevolent entities that dwell in dark places, particularly around cremation grounds alongside other spirits like bhūtas and vetālas. Their nature is fundamentally hostile toward living humans.

Where it comes from

The Mahabharata states that the original Pishachas were created by Brahma. Other legends describe them as sons of Krodha, the personification of anger, or as descendants of Daksha’s daughter, Pishacha. Some accounts link them to Kashyapa and Krodhavasa. In ancient Kashmir, the Dardic people were referred to as Pishachas, and their languages were called Paiśāci. The Nilamata Purana notes they inhabited the Kashmir valley alongside Nagas.

How it is done

Pishachas are said to shapeshift at will and become invisible. They feed on human energy and may possess individuals, altering their thoughts and causing insanity or various abnormalities. To cure such afflictions, specific mantras are recited to drive the spirit away. Offerings are sometimes given during religious festivals to keep them at bay. Improper burial can also transform a deceased person into a blind, starving Pishacha that craves the living.

Tools and materials

Mantras are used to cure possession and expel the entity. Offerings are provided during religious functions and festivals to appease or deter the beings. The language associated with them is known as Paiśāci.

What it is for

They are feared for their ability to harm humans through possession and energy consumption. Victims suffer from mental abnormalities and illness. The beings are not sought after but are avoided or appeased to prevent negative outcomes.

Who does it

Scholars study these beings through texts like the Mahabharata and the Nilamata Purana. No specific practitioner class is defined for summoning them; rather, healers use mantras to counteract their influence. The beings themselves are autonomous malevolent forces.

Peoples and places

The concept originates in India and appears in both Hindu and Buddhist contexts. In Thailand, the term pisat derives from the Sanskrit root and is defined as a ghost. Thai folklore includes them among spirits from the Hindu-Buddhist tradition, and they appear in temple paintings. The Dardic people of Kashmir were historically labeled as Pishachas in ancient literature.

What people believe

They are viewed as manifestations of evil and sources of physical and mental harm. Their existence is tied to concepts of improper death and spiritual corruption. They operate outside normal social order, feeding on life force and disrupting human sanity.

When it is done

Offerings are made during certain religious functions and festivals to keep them away. No specific calendar days are mandated for their worship or avoidance beyond general ritual contexts.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Textual analysis of the Mahabharata, Nilamata Purana, and Brihatkatha provides insight into their role. Scholars note their depiction as flesh-eaters and their association with madness. The linguistic connection to Paiśāci and the Dardic people is also studied.

Compare and confuse

Related beings include Yakshi, Vetala, and Kanjirottu Yakshi. The Thai pisat shares the etymological root but is generalized as a ghost. Modern media has adapted the figure into films and series.

Questions people ask about Pishacha

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Pishacha on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data