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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
Bhagvat; and those of Ràvan, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit in the Ramayan.1
A rakshasa named Tripuràsur conquered the heavens, the earth and the nether regions, and began to annoy the gods. The god Shiva burnt the rakshasa to ashes.2
The two rakshasas Hiranyàksha and Hiranyakashyapu were originally the gate-keepers of Vishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity. Once they affronted Sanatkumàr, the son of Brahma, when they were cursed by Vishnu who decreed that they would be born rakshasas 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.2
A rakshasa 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.3
Maharakshasas are also known by the name of Brahma rakshasas. A Brahman dying without imparting all his learning to his disciples or with the guilt of the murder of a Brahman or a cow on him is believed to enter the order of Brahma rakshasas after his death. In this state he possesses a body without a head. A Brahma rakshasa is also called Khavis, *
In addition to the wizards and witches mentioned above, there are others the names of which are as follows:
(1) Dakini, (2) Sakini, (3) Kushmand (4) Zod, (5) Dholio, (6) Pàle Marad, (7) Bhuchar, (8) Khechar, (9) Jalaj, (10) Jakharo, (11) Shikotrum, (12) Ashtabhàro, (13) Chand Chani, (14) Chorosi Kàntini, (15) Jogani, (16) Hathadi, (17) Miyali, (18) Ghànchini, (19) Mochini, (20) Baladi, (21) Molani, (22) Khuntini, (23) Suti, (24) Gavati, (25) Bethi,
The School Masters of Khiràsara and Pipalàna.
The School Master of Anandpur.
10 The School Master of Khiràs ira.
12 The School Master of Kotda Sangani. 1 The School Master of Khiràsara.
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(26) Ubhi, (27) Avi, (28) Chauràr, (29) Madlu Pavanti, (30) Mansa Khavanti, (31) Bhasika, (32) Pratab, (33) Vira, (34) Vàvànchara, (35) Chorasi Viru, (36) Nao Narasing, (37) Jaikha, (38) Jutaka, (39) Masida, (40) Gandharavi, (41) Jami, (42) Asmani, (43) Mamikula,5 (44) Zampadi, (45) Meladi (46) Balla C
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 Dàkans or witches who are believed to cause illness or even death by their evil eye to those on whom they throw a glance. 7
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.S
It is generally believed that the spirits of such male members of low unclean castes as die a violent death' become Khavis. Some believe that Khavis or Khabith is a Musalman ghost.10 Others hold that he is the lord of all ghosts.11
1 The School Master of Ganod.
3 The School Master of Upleta.
The word Khavis comes from the Arabic Khabith from the root verb Khabotha and means one who has become impure or unholy.
5 The School Master of Sultanpur, 7 Mr. K. D. Desai.
9 The School Master of Lilapur.
11 The School Master of Vasavad.
13 The School Master of Chhatrása,
15 The School Master of Ganod.
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.12 His appearance is so terrible that a person who sees him for the first time is frightened to death.13 It is stated that he starts on his excursions after sun-set.14
The attendants of the god Shiva known as Vaitàlikas are said to have no heads, 15 They live in cremation grounds, as they have a
2 The School Master of Lewaria.
4 The School Master of Venod.
