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).
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
