The Origin of Rakshasas and Yakshas

Long ago, as Brahma brought the world into being with the power of his mind, he created water. Then, he made living creatures.
The creatures were hungry and thirsty. "What will we eat? What shall we drink?" they asked Brahma.
"These waters and the life in them belongs to you," said Brahma, "and the waters will need protection."
"We will protect!" said some of the creatures.
But some creatures said instead, "We will worship!"
Brahma then decreed, "You who protect will be rakshasas," for rakshami means protect. "And you who worship will be yakshas," for yakshami means worship.

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Inspired by: The Ramayana (Uttara Kanda: Sarga 4).
Notes: You can read more about rakshasas and yakshas at Wikipedia.

(Brahma)