(In Hindu mythology) a malignant demon.The rakshasa set fire to the tail of Hanuman....
The nails of a European, like those of a Rakshasa, distil a deadly poison, and hence he is afraid to eat with his fingers, as all respectable people do, and prefers to use a knife and fork.
On the same mountain lived a Raksasa named Parasu, frightening the heavenly Brahmins.