rákṣas mfn. guarding, watching (see pathir°)
rákṣas n. ‘anything to be guarded against or warded off’, harm, injury, damage, [RV.]
(in [RV.] & [AV.] also rakṣás, m.) an evil being or demon, a Rākṣasa (q.v.; in [VP.] identified with Nirṛti or Nairṛta), [RV.]; &c.
pl. N. of a warlike race g. parśv-ādi.