The pisachas and Pisachas kingdom

 The pisachas and Pisachas kingdom

In ancient India it is said that there is a demonic race of vampiric asuras known as the pisachas. They are dangerous, evil, and hateful by nature, the vilest of all the demons, and they chatter incessantly. Although aligned with the Rakshasas, pisachas are ranked beneath them. The pisachas often had war against the Aryans, Daityas, and Nagas. Their origin is obscure, although some believe that they were created by Brahma. Another legend describes them as the sons of either Krodha (a Sanskrit word meaning anger) or of Dakṣa’s daughter Piśāca. They have been described to have a dark complexion with bulging veins and protruding, red eyes. They are believed to have their own language, which is called Paisaci.

They like darkness and traditionally are depicted to eat the flesh and drink the blood of both the living and the dead, being particularly fond of pregnant women. Pisachas live in abandoned places, burial grounds, and charnel houses but have been known to hunt the jungle spreading diseases while looking for humans to afflict with insanity or consume.  Pisachas have the power to assume different forms at will and may also become invisible. They feed on human energies. Sometimes, they possess human beings and alter their thoughts, and the victims are afflicted with a variety of maladies and abnormalities like insanity. Certain mantras are supposed to cure such afflicted persons and drive away the Piśāca which may be possessing that human being. To keep the Piśāca away, they are given their share of offerings during certain religious functions and festivals.

The origin of Piśāca is unknown. It is also maybe the demonization of some Indian tribes by Aryans who lived in the Piśāca Kingdom. Pāṇini, in his Astadhyayi, told us that the Piśāca were a "warrior clan". In Mahābhārata, the "Piśāca people" (equivalent to the modern day Nuristani people) are said to live in northwest India, and they are descendants of Prajapati Kaśyapa. And there are some Piśāca languages in north India.

Pisachas have been well defined in scriptures: As the waters upon earth, are collected in lowlands only; so, do the Pisachas and goblins dwell in dark places alone. Should a dark Paisacha dwell at bright midday light, upon a sunny shore or open space; it darkens that spot with the gloominess of its appearance. The sun even is not able, to dispel that darkness, nor can anyone find out the place, where the dark demon makes his abode; on account of its delusiveness to evade human sight. As the orbs of the sun and moon, and the furnace of burning fire, appear bright before our eyes; so on the contrary the abode of the Pisachas, is ever obscured by impenetrable darkness, which no light can pierce.

The Pisachas are naturally of a wonderful nature, that vanish like sparks of fire in daylight; and become enkindled in the dark. (The Pisachas bear analogy to the sons of darkness or fallen angels in the black Tartarian regions).

Pisachas kingdom

Pisacha kingdom was in the Himalayan mountains. The tribes living in this kingdom are known as “Pisachas”. They are believed to have their own language, which is known as “Paisaci”. However, some believes that Kashmiri language was used in the Pishachi group. Pisachas have immeasurable powers and they can fight even in nights. They have the power to assume different forms at will and may also become invisible. References depicts that during the Kurukshetra war, Pisachi tribes were participated in war as they were believed to be the allies of the Kuru king Duryodhana. Some of them even worship Duryodhana as their God.

Pisacha kingdom refers to the territory of Pisachas a group of mountain dwellers. They lived in the mountains around the Kashmir Valley. These tribes were mentioned in the epic Mahabharata along with other exotic tribes. The Kashmiri language is a language in the group of Paisachi languages. Kasmiras and Pisachas were allies of the Kuru king Duryodhana.

References in Mahabharata

Pisacha tribes - All Pisachas are said to be divided into innumerable classes (3:230). Pisachas were mentioned as a race distinct from Rakshasas, Daityas and Nagas at (1:227). A Pisacha king is mentioned as one among the Yakshas under the rule of Yaksha king Kubera: - Kustumvuru, Pisacha, Gajakarna, and Visalaka, Varaha-Karna, Tamraushtica, Falkaksha, and Falodaka; Hansachuda, Sikhavarta, Vibhishana, Pushpanana, Pingalaka, Sonitoda and Pravalaka; Vrikshavaspa-niketa, and Chiravasas—these and many other Yakshas by hundreds and thousands always wait upon Kuvera (2:10). Ghatotkacha is mentioned as excelling (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas (1:157). Ravana's army was composed of Rakshasas and Pisachas (3:283). Pisachas were part of the army of Karthikeya (3:228). Danavas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and Pisachas and Yatudhanas and Guhyakas were mentioned as separate tribes at (13:17).

In Ramayana, Valmiki mentions that Pisachas are different from Rakshasas. Both Rakshasas and Pisachas were part of Ravana's army. In Mahabharata, most of the Pisachas followed Ghatotkach’s jesters. Pisachas were part of the army of Karthikeya too.

Pisacha territories - Pisachas, Nagas and Rakshasas were mentioned as inhabitants of the Khandava forest. Pisacha tribes lived around the Kashmir valley. Some of their tribal groups were found in Bahlika territories in the north west of India. Beyond the Himavat mountains there is a plateau on which Rudra resides. It is also peopled with many Pisachas. Pisacha territories included - The Parvatas, the Daserakas, the Kasmirakas, the Aurasikas, the Pisachas, the Samudgalas, the Kamvojas, the Vatadhanas were all mentioned together at (7;11). A Pisacha woman is mentioned as linked with places like Yugandhara, Achutasthala, and Bhutilaya close to the Bahlika territories in the north west of India (3:129). Pisachas, Nagas and Rakshasas were mentioned as inhabitants of the Khandava forest (1:230). There on the banks of Saraswati River dwell Yakshas, and Vidyadharas, and Rakshasas of immeasurable energy and Pisachas of immeasurable might, and Siddhas, numbering thousands (9:37). Beyond the Himavat mountains is a plateau on which Rudra resides. It is inhabited by Siddhas and Charanas. It is peopled with also many Pisachas (13:19). Amongst the Rakshasas and Pisachas some proceeded to the country of Uttara Kurus (15:33).

In Kurukshetra War

On Kaurava Side- Pisacha army took part in the Kurukshetra War under Bhagadatta the ruler of Pragjyotisha and other hilly tribes in the Himalayas: - Bhagadatta firmly resolved on fight, accompanied by the Magadhas, the Kalingas, and the Pisachas (6:88). Three thousand bowmen headed by Duryodhana, with several Sakas and Kamvojas and Valhikas and Yavanas and Paradas, and Kalingas and Tanganas and Amvashtas and Pisachas and Barbaras and Parvatas inflamed with rage and armed with stone, all rushed against Satyaki (7:118).

On Pandava Side -There were some Pisacha tribes on the side of Pandavas too. Yudhishthira, with the Patachcharas, the Hunas, the Pauravakas and the Nishadas, became the two wings of the Pandava's military array, so also the Pisachas, with the Kundavishas, and the Mandakas, the Ladakas (Laddakh), the Tanganas, and the Uddras and the Saravas, the Tumbhumas, the Vatsas, and the Nakulas (6:50).

References depicts that Pisachas took part on Kaurava side in Kurukshetra war. They were inflamed with rage and armed with stone. Even though they possess high powers their impact was not much on Pandavas army. The reason is some of the Pisachas were fought on the side of Pandavas too...The famous lines of Hanuman Chalisa are:

भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै । महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै ॥२४॥

(Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai, Mahavir jab naam sunavai.

Meaning:

(All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the sheer mention of your great name, Mahaveer, Hanuman)

नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा । जपत निरन्तर हनुमत बीरा ॥२५॥

Nase rog harai sab peera, Japat nirantar Hanumant beera

(All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly Hanuman's holy name.)

 

The armies of the Asuras (Daityas and Danavas), Rakshasas, and Pisachas frequently come to Earth and kill humans. It is even said in scriptures that the food for Pisachas is human flesh.

Pishacha (Sanskrit: पिशाच Piśāca, literally, "eater of raw flesh") are flesh-eating demons according to Indian mythology. Their origin is obscure, although some believe that they were created by Brahma. In the famous TV serial Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, it is shown that Shiva has created them. Another legend describes them as the sons of either Krodha (figuratively "Anger") or as Dakṣa’s daughter Piśāca. They are also said to be creatures of humanity’s vices, having the power to assume different forms at will. They feed on human energies and can possess human beings and alter their thoughts. The term is occasionally used in a more general way to include all the ghosts, goblins and vampires that haunt cemeteries and ruins in India

References

[http://ancientvoice.wikidot.com/pisacha]

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/yoga-vasistha-english/d/doc228791.html

A Rishi's curse

A Rishi's curse

Once, King Indradyumna of Pandya failed to welcome Agastya Rishi. The rishi cursed him to become an elephant, Gajendra. Then he blessed, "A crocodile in the Trikut Lake will grab your leg and God will grant you moksha." As per the prophecy, years later, while Gajendra, the elephant, was drinking water, a crocodile grabbed his foot. Gajendra struggled furiously to free himself, but failed. The duel lasted for 1,000 years, the crocodile pulling towards water, the elephant towards land. As a last resort, Gajendra picked up a lotus and offered it to God, praying for help. God Vishnu promptly arrived on his vehicle, Garuda, and saved him. This story from the Srimad Bhagavatam of Gajendra moksha, shows the power of prayer, faith in God and God's compassion. God is only a prayer away.

Buddha's birth -A story for kids

Buddha's birth -A story for kids

Queen Maya, wife of King Suddhodana of Kapilavastu, was engaged in worship on the full moon day of July. That night, the queen, who was expecting a child, dreamt that she was seated under the Sal tree on the Himalayan peaks. Divine deities came there and offered their respects to her. Then she slept with her head to the east. At that time a white elephant descended from a golden mountain, presented her a lotus and after reverentially circling her three times, entered her womb from the right. This was a sign that a great person would take birth. This divine dream was a symbolic prelude to Buddha's birth.

There is enough for man’s need but not for his greed

There is enough for man’s need but not for his greed

One day an elephant decided to crush its caretaker.

Why?

In Ayodhya, a wealthy man, had entrusted his elephant to the mahout, a caretaker. Every day the greedy man stole sweets from the food meant for the elephant. The deprived elephant tolerated quietly. But one day while bathing in the lake, it picked up the mahout to kill him. People shouted for help. Fortunately, god Swaminarayan, whose childhood name was Ghanshyam, was watching from the shores. Barely six years old, Ghanshyam bravely entered the waters and calmed the elephant with his divine love. Saved by Ghanshyam, the mahout resolved to change his life.

The Turtle and the Geese

A turtle lived in a pond. Two geese saw the turtle. The turtle and the geese became friends.  

One day the goose told his turtle friend, we are going on a journey will you come with us.

The turtle said, “How can I,? I have no wings.”

The geese replied.

We can  take  if you promise to keep your mouth shut and not say a word to anybody!

The turtle said, “ I can do that, take me with you!”

The geese brought a stick and each held one end of it.

The friend goose said, “Hold the middle of the stick with your mouth and don't say a word to anybody until we reach home !”

The geese then sprang in the air with the turtle between them, holding fast the stick .

The children below saw the turtle flying in the air. They laughed and laughed. The turtles’ pride was deeply hurt, and he opened his mouth to say, “If I am carried on a stick what business is it of yours.”

The moment he opened his mouth he fell down and died.

Moral: Disaster can come from opening your mouth at the wrong time.(A Buddha Story)

If one person tells a lie-hundred repeat it as true

A rabbit slept under a coconut tree. A big coconut fell on the ground and exploded with a bang!

Hearing the sound the rabbit woke up, jumped and cried “The earth is breaking up”! “the earth is breaking up”!

He ran fast and another rabbit joined him. Soon hundreds of rabbits were running and crying ,”The earth is breaking up.”

A deer heard their cries and followed them, soon a pig, a buffalo, an ox and a tiger , an elephant joined them too. A lion king heard their cries and thought, the earth is not breaking up. There is some mistake. He ran in front of them and roared-“Stop! Who says the earth is breaking up”.

The elephant said, “the Tiger said.”

The Tiger said, “The ox said.”

The ox said, “the buffalo said.”

The buffalo said, “the pig said.”

All nodded and pointed to first rabbit and then said, “Is it true the earth is breaking up”? asked the lion.

Yes, great lion, said the rabbit. I woke up from the sleep and heard the sound of earth breaking up!

The lion said, “Let us go to that place and see for ourselves if it is true”!

Soon they ran to the coconut tree. When the lion saw the broken coconut , he said to the rabbit, “You silly rabbit” the sound of breaking coconut does not mean the earth is breaking up!

They ran to the other animal to explain the mistake.

Moral: When one person tells a lie, one hundred repeat it as true.

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Arabian Nights

Sham S. Misri

Hundreds of years ago professional story tellers in India and the Middle East made up the stories now known as ‘Arabian nights.’ Later on, groups of these stories were put together. One group was translated from Arabic to French by Antonie Galland in early 1700’s. His, ‘A Thousand and One Nights, introduced these Oriental tales to the Western world.

All the collections have one thing in common. A heroine, Scheherazade, tells different stories. She recites the tales for a very good reason: She must save her life.

The heroine was married to Sultan Shahriyar, who had killed his first wife when she was unfaithful to him and then all his later wives in revenge against women. Scheherazade did not want to suffer the same fate. On her wedding night she began to tell her husband a story and stopped just before she reached the end. The Sultan allowed her to live another day in order to hear the end of her tale. The next night she finished the story and began another one even more fascinating than the first. Again she stopped before the ending, gaining another day of life.

And so it went, for a thousand and one nights. Finally the Sultan realized that Scheherazade was a good and faithful wife, and the couple lived happily ever after.

One story from Arabian Nights is :

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

(A story for children)

Sham S. Misri

Once a magician poses as a long lost uncle to the innocent Aladdin. The two leave the city and arrive at a secret place, where the magician burns a fire, throws powder on it, and says some magic words. The earth trembles, and opens, revealing a flat stone with a brass ring over it. With the help of more magic words, the stone is moved and steps appear.

“Go down” said the magician. “At the foot of the steps you will find an open door leading into three large halls. Fold up your gown and go through them without touchkng anything, or you would die instantaneously. The halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees. Walk on till you come to a place in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp. Pour out the oil it contains and bring it to me.”

The magician drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper.

Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruits of the trees and, having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the cave.

The magician cried out in great hurry, “Make hurry and give me the lamp.” This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder on the fire, he said something, and the stone rolled back into the place.

The magician left Persia for ever, which simply showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin, but a cunning wizard who had read in his magic books about a wonderful lamp which would make him the most powerful man in the world.

Though the wizard alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another. The wizard had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, planning to get the lamp and kill him afterwards.

For two days Aaladdin remained in the dark, crying, nostalgic and lamenting. Atlast he clapped his hands in prayer, and in so doing rubbed the ring, which the magician had forgotten to take from him. Instantly an enormous and frightful genii rose out of the earth, saying, “what do you want from me? I am the slave of the ring and would obey you in all things.

Aladdin fearlessly replied, “Carry me out from this place.” There upon the earth opened and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could tolerate the light he went home, but fainted on the treshhold. When he came home he told his mother what had passed, and showed her the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden. The fruits that he had gathered were in reality precious stones.

He then asked his mother for some food.

“Alas, child,” she said, “I have nothing in the house but I have spun a little cotton, go and sell it.”

Aladdin was upset. He told his mother to keep her cotton, for he would sell the lamp instead.

As the lamp was very dirty she began to rub it, so that it might fetch a good price. As she rubbed the lamp a genie appeared. Aladdin's mother was afraid, but the genie said, “Order me and I will get anything for you.”

She fainted away, but Aladdin quickly snatched the lamp and said boldly, “Fetch me something to eat!”

Immediately the genie returned with a golden bowl, and six silver plates containing rich yummy and delicious dishes. Aladdin and his mother relished. There after the genie was their slave. Aladdin then ordered to make beautiful house and that way they became very rich.

Taking Refuge of The Great

Here is a story for children:

Taking Refuge of The Great

Once, lost in a dense jungle, a lonely goat, hungry and frightened, sat shivering beside a lion’s pugmark. Pugmark is the footprint of an animal on the ground. To the wolf and all the wild animals who threatened to kill her, she declared that this footprint was her protector. Unaware of what or who a lion is , the little goat’s faith felt his power when all other animals fled at the sight of pugmark. Finally, the lion arrived. Pleased by her faith in his footprint, he promised to protect her. He summoned an elephant and ordered him to seat the goat on his back and carry her home with great honor and respect  while she merrily chewed on soft green leaves.

The moral of this story is : By taking refuge of the Great, even the meek and weak attain greatness.

Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights
Sham S. Misri

Hundreds of years ago professional story tellers in India and the Middle East made up the stories now known as Arabian nights. Later on, groups of these stories were put together. One group was translated from Arabic to French by Antonie Galland in early 1700’s. His, ‘A Thousand and One Nights, introduced these Oriental tales to the Western world.

All the collections have one thing in common. A heroine, Scheherazade, tells different stories. She recites the tales for a very good reason: She must save her life.

The heroine was married to Sultan Shahriyar, who had killed his first wife when she was unfaithful to him and then all his later wives in revenge against women. Scheherazade did not want to suffer the same fate. On her wedding night she began to tell her husband a story and stopped just before she reached the end. The Sultan allowed her to live another day in order to hear the end of her tale. The next night she finished the story and began another one even more fascinating than the first. Again she stopped before the ending, gaining another day of life.

And so it went, for a thousand and one nights. Finally the Sultan realized that Scheherazade was a good and faithful wife, and the couple lived happily ever after.
One story from Arabian Nights is :

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Sham S. Misri

Once a magician poses as a long lost uncle to the innocent Aladdin. The two leave the city and arrive at a secret place, where the magician burns a fire, throws power on it, and says some magic words. The earth trembles, and opens, revealing a flat stone with a brass ring over it. With the help of more magic words, the stone is moved and steps appear.

“Go down” said the magician. “At the foot of the steps you will find an open door leading into three large halls. Fold up your gown and go through them without touchkng anything, or you would die instantaneously. The halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees. Walk on till you come to a place in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp. Pour out the oil it contains and bring it to me.”

The magician drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper.

Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruits of the trees and, having got the lamp,  arrived at the mouth of the cave.

The magician cried out in great hurry, “Make hurry and give me the lamp.” This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder on the fire, he said something, and the stone rolled back into the place.

The magician left Persia for ever, which simply showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin, but a cunning wizard who had read in his magic books about a wonderful lamp which would make him the most powerful man in the world.

Though the wizard alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another. The wizard had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, planning to get the lamp and kill him afterwards.

For two days Aaladdin remained in the dark, crying, nostalgic and lamenting. Atlast he clapped his hands in prayer, and in so doing rubbed the ring, which the magician had forgotten to take from him. Instantly an enormous and frightful genii rose out of the earth, saying, “what do you want from me?  I am the slave of the ring and would obey you in all things.

Aladdin fearlessly replied, “Carry me out  from this place.” There upon the earth opened and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could tolerate the light he went home, but fainted on the treshhold. When he came home he told his mother what had passed, and showed her the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden. The fruits that he had gathered were in reality precious stones.

He then asked his mother for some food.

“ Alas, child,” she said, “I have nothing in the house but I have spun a little cotton, go and sell it.”

Aladdin was upset. He told his mother to keep her cotton, for he would sell the lamp instead.

As the lamp was very dirty she began to rub it, so that it might fetch a good price. As she rubbed the lamp a genie appeared. Aladdin's mother was afraid, but the genie said, “Order me and I will get anything for you.”

She fainted away, but Aladdin quickly snatched the lamp and said boldly, “Fetch me something to eat!”

Immediately the genie returned with a golden bowl, and six silver plates containing rich yummy and delicious dishes. Aladdin and his mother relished. There after the genie was their slave. Aladdin then ordered to make beautiful house and that way they became very rich.