Rakshasa

A Rakshasa (Sanskrit राक्षस) is a type of demon that exists in both Hindu and Buddhist folklore and mythology as well as religion - they are seen as man-eaters and cannibals as well as wicked creatures akin to the Western concept of devils, they have conflicting origins depending on the text but are generally believed (at least in Hindu texts) to have been particularly wicked humans who were transformed into their demonic state via reincarnation - despite their largely negative nature it was believed that their were good Rakshasas as well as evil ones.