Rakshasas were believed to have been created from the breath of Brahma when he was asleep at the end of the Satya Yuga. As soon as they were created, they were so filled with bloodlust that they started eating Brahma himself. Brahma shouted Rakshama! (Sanskrit for Protect me!) and Vishnu came to his aid, banishing to Earth all Rakshasas (named after Brahma's cry for help).