The Encyclopedia Of Demons And Demonology

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rabisu A type of Babylonian DEMON who lurks at the
thresholds of homes, waiting to attack humans. Rabisu
means “the ones that lie in wait.”
The rabisu were deeply feared in Babylonian times. Inverted
bowls inscribed with magical charms were placed
at the corners of foundations in an effort to trap and contain
them. (See INCANTATION BOWL.) An ancient inscription
about them says that doors and bolts will not stop
them. They can glide into doors as SERPENTs do and enter
through windows as the wind does. Rabisu also perch on
rooftops waiting to devour newborn infants.
Not all rabisu are evil; some are good.
See BAR EGARA.
Rais, Gilles de.
See GILLES DE RAIS.
rakshasas The most powerful and numerous DEMONs
of the Indian underworld, feared as cannibals, vampires,
night stalkers, assassins, “dark faces,” and biters. Rakshasa
means “to guard” and refers to the demons’ task of
guarding the elixir of immortality found on the floor of
the ocean.
The rakshasas are ruled by RAVANA and live on the
island of Lanka. They haunt burial grounds, reanimate
dead bodies, and cannibalize people. They have a multitude
of grotesque shapes, with the heads of SERPENTs or
animals, two to four crooked legs, and long sharp teeth.
Some are beautiful, however, and go about in magnificent
clothing.
Ranfaing, Elizabeth de
See NANCY POSSESSION.
Raum (Raym) FALLEN ANGEL and 40th of the 72 SPIRITS
OF SOLOMON. Raum is an earl who appears as a crow but
will shift to human form when commanded to do so. He
steals treasure, even from kings, and carries it anywhere.
He destroys cities and the dignities of men. Raum also
discerns the past, present, and future and makes friends
and enemies love each other. Before his fall, he was in
the angelic order of thrones. He governs 30 LEGIONs of
DEMONs.
Ravana Powerful Indian DEMON who is lord and master
of the fearsome RAKSHASAS. Ravana’s parents are Visravas
and Nikasha, descendants of the first demons
created. Ravana is equal in stature to SATAN. He and his
hordes of demons live on the island of Sri Lanka (formerly
Ceylon).
Ravana has 10 heads, 20 arms, copper-colored eyes,
bright teeth, and a huge form. His body is covered with
the scars of battle wounds. He can stand as tall as a mountain
and with a single look stop the Sun and Moon in their
paths. He breaks all laws and ravishes any woman of his
choice. He has a regal bearing.
The Ramayana tells a great deal about Ravana. The
city of Lanka, solid gold, was built by Visva-Karma for
Ravana’s half brother, Kuvera. Ravana overthrew him and
stole his magical chariot, which he uses to leave the island
and stir up trouble in the world.
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