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In Hinduism and Buddhism, a '''bhuta''' is a type of evil spirit | In Hinduism and Buddhism, a '''bhuta''' (Pl: bhutas) is a type of evil spirit. The word '''Bhut''' is still used in Hindi to categorize a [[ghost]]. | ||
== | ==Origin== | ||
The Bhuta or '''Prét''' is the evil ghost of a man who died an untimely death like execution, accident, or suicide or leaded an unholy or immoral life. This kind of reincarnation does not arise out of birth from a womb, etc, but is achieved directly, and such evil spirits' fate is pre-determined as to how they shall achieve liberation from that yoni, and re-enter the world of mortal flesh through next incarnation. | |||
===Appearance=== | |||
Bhutas appear as flickering lights or misty apparitions that cast no shadows and linger above the ground. | |||
=== | |||
===Habitat=== | |||
Bhutas haunt forests and empty dwellings by day and night. | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
They mostly plague those who do not performer the proper funerary rites for the dead. | |||
Bhutas usually wander around animating dead bodies at night and may attack the living like a ghoul, ultimately reaping its victim's flesh. They can be detected by nasal twangs, fear of burning turmeric and lack of shadow. They mostly plague those who do not performer the proper funerary rites for the dead. | |||
Bhutas are considered responsible for: | Bhutas are considered responsible for: | ||
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They are also said to enter a human body and make sicken it until death. | They are also said to enter a human body and make sicken it until death. | ||
People protect themselves by lying on the ground, because the bhutas never rest on earth. In the Bhagvad Gita, Krishna the Avatar declares that the humans who worship bhutas become bhutas themselves; this is part of a larger discourse wherein the Avatar tells Prince Arjuna that the worshipper and the worshipped ultimately become one. The word "Bhut" is still used in Hindi to categorize a ghost. | |||
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[[Category:Demons]] | [[Category:Demons]] | ||
[[Category:Ghosts]] | [[Category:Ghosts]] | ||
[[Category:Ghouls]] | |||
Revision as of 09:44, 15 April 2008
In Hinduism and Buddhism, a bhuta (Pl: bhutas) is a type of evil spirit. The word Bhut is still used in Hindi to categorize a ghost.
Origin
The Bhuta or Prét is the evil ghost of a man who died an untimely death like execution, accident, or suicide or leaded an unholy or immoral life. This kind of reincarnation does not arise out of birth from a womb, etc, but is achieved directly, and such evil spirits' fate is pre-determined as to how they shall achieve liberation from that yoni, and re-enter the world of mortal flesh through next incarnation.
Appearance
Bhutas appear as flickering lights or misty apparitions that cast no shadows and linger above the ground.
Habitat
Bhutas haunt forests and empty dwellings by day and night.
Behaviour
Bhutas usually wander around animating dead bodies at night and may attack the living like a ghoul, ultimately reaping its victim's flesh. They can be detected by nasal twangs, fear of burning turmeric and lack of shadow. They mostly plague those who do not performer the proper funerary rites for the dead.
Bhutas are considered responsible for:
- accidents
- bad crops
- calamities, both natural and domestic
- diseased livestock
- illness
- insanity
- plagues
They are also said to enter a human body and make sicken it until death.
People protect themselves by lying on the ground, because the bhutas never rest on earth. In the Bhagvad Gita, Krishna the Avatar declares that the humans who worship bhutas become bhutas themselves; this is part of a larger discourse wherein the Avatar tells Prince Arjuna that the worshipper and the worshipped ultimately become one. The word "Bhut" is still used in Hindi to categorize a ghost.
See Also