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In the Hindu epics

In the world of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Rakshasas are a populous
race of supernatural humanoids who tend toward evil. Powerful
warriors, they resort to the use of magic and illusion when
unsuccessful with conventional weapons. As shape-changers, they can
assume various physical forms, and it is not always clear whether they
have a true or natural form. As illusionists, they are capable of
creating appearances which are real to those who believe in them or
who fail to dispel them. Rakshasas are cannibals, and make their
gleeful appearance when the slaughter on the battlefield is at its
worst. Occasionally they serve as rank-and-file soldiers in the
service of one or the other warlord.