One of the most frightening entities in all of Hindu and Buddhist folklore is a demonic being known as the Pishacha. Also called Piśāca, this sinister breed of flesh-eating creature has been compared to the Christian Devil and is believed to be the personification of pure evil. Pishachas are parasitic creatures who sow the seeds of chaos then feed on the resulting negative emotions. Bishal Dutta’s terrifying new film It Lives Inside brings this fearsome creature to life in a story that explores the horrors of adolescent cruelty as well as the dangers lurking around the edges of teenage angst.
Samidha (Megan Suri) is an Indian American high school student wrestling with her cultural identity. Trying to fit in with the popular crowd, she’s distanced herself from her traditional mother Poorna (Neeru Bajwa) and attempted to erase evidence of her earlier life. When Samidha’s childhood best friend Tamira (Mohana Krishnan) begins to act strangely, Samidha dismisses the poor girl’s disheveled appearance and the creepy mason jar clutched in her hands as a macabre play for attention. Smashing the jar in anger, Samidha accidentally unleashes an ancient evil – a Pishacha hellbent on devouring her body and soul. With a script co-written by Ashish Mehta, Dutta brings this bloodthirsty creature to life while exploring the relatable fears of adolescent insecurity and the overwhelming pressure to conform.
The Pishacha is a beast nearly as old as time itself. Said to be a creation of the Hindu god Brahma, the first mentions of the vampiric being appear in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic chronicling the Kurukshetra War likely occurring around 3102 BCE. Pishacha are also mentioned in the Veda, a large collection of ancient religious texts and Hindu scriptures written in archaic Sanskrit during the 2nd millennium BCE. Dharmic religion and Puranic literature describe the Pishacha as powerful, but lesser demons who feed on base emotions such as fear and sorrow. Instigators of corruption, they are also said to have been formed by stray drops of water spilling from the creation of life, toxic byproducts of the universe itself. They are the sons of Krodha, a mental state similar to wrath or fury, and foster corruption and chaos in the lives of their victims.
The Pishacha thrive in darkness. Late at night they lurk in the shadows and torment their victims, sweetening the meat before going in for the kill. Though these malignant creatures can occupy any space, they particularly enjoy cross-roads, cemeteries, crematoriums, and other locations where the spirits of the dead are disincorporated from their earthly bodies. Sites of violent death or a particularly devastating tragedy would also appeal to the pain-eating fiend.
Pishacha may employ a multitude of devious tactics, but their main goal is usually the same: to create conflict, chaos, and pain. Because energy cannot be created–only shared, stolen, or displaced–Pishachas infest homes and corrupt positive energy in order to compound emotional devastation. Compared to its potential for destruction, the Pishacha’s methods are relatively simple. Having identified the most vulnerable member of the family, the Pishacha will try to enter in through simple vices like jealousy and temptation. A master of manipulation, this demonic entity has been known to possess the bodies of its victims or those that they love. This ruse is designed to break the bonds of trust and sever ties with those who may comfort the targeted individual.
As the targeted infestation intensifies, a Pishacha might drive the individual to more destructive behaviors like excessive drinking, drug use, and other forms of toxic pleasure. Arguments and anger will spread through the home as the Pishacha’s negative energy grows stronger. This causes further isolation, and the cycle repeats itself again and again. It’s a common tactic of this demon whose intent is to disrupt larger communities and ultimately the world. Entering its final stage, the negative energy begins to spiral out of control and spill into the larger community. Anyone who tries to assist may find themselves becoming the next victim.
Pishachas are manipulative manifestations of pure evil and little can be done to defeat them. Some say that anyone who lays eyes on this devilish monster will be doomed to die within six months. Others believe the creature can be killed using a blessed sword, however, this will result in the spirit of the Pishacha haunting the location of its destruction until the end of time. However, there are ways of keeping the monster at bay. Repeated offerings can appease the beast, feeding it just enough to suppress its deadly rage. Mantras can also be effective in combating the monster’s talent for corrupting positive energy. However, the best tool against the Pishacha may be love itself. If we can concentrate on gratitude, friendship, and human connection, we can hopefully keep ourselves out of the emotional shadows where the creature is known to lurk and safely stay in the healing light of positivity.
It Lives Inside hits theaters nationwide on September 22nd. Get tickets now!
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