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Introduction

Raakshas, Daitya, Asur all the three terms have been used in Hindoo mythological literature interchangeably. Surprisingly enough Asur and Devtaa are half brothers. Both are the children of Maharshi Kashyap. Raakshas are Diti's children and Devtaa are Aditi's children. Being the children of Diti they were called Daitya. Since all Daitya were cruel, they were counted in the category of Asur or Raakshas. Raakshas are not always necessarily born in Raakshas or Daitya families, many Raakshas are the children of great sages also, but they do mean that they are bad by their Karm (actions) and hurt others.

Hindu Mythological literature is full of names of many Raakshas. These Raakshas have always been the enemy of Devtaa and have always been fighting with them to take their kingdom - Swarg (Heaven).

Although Devtaa are good and and Raakshas are bad, but practically the good always doesn't win. Some Raakshas were so good that they became extremely powerful after getting extraordinary Var from Bhagavaan through their Tap that even Indra could not defeat them, or kill them. So they continually troubled Devtaa. Because of their troubles, Indra had to take help of Vishnu to kill them.

In this process, Vishnu had to incarnate on Earth several times to kill them and to free Devtaa from their fear. These Raakshas are so many that one may find difficult to keep track of all of them. Here is given a list of them and their stories.

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