How does Evil work in Hinduism?

Watching ganji chudail videos all day long made me think, how exactly does evil work in Hinduism?

Well first off, there’s no such thing as a Sanatan & als no concept of “heaven” & “hell” because while Swarg & Narka loka exist, they’re not exactly ends & more like pitstops or levels which you can climb up to get liberation from this cycle & that’s moksha.

We do have Lord Yama, but he’s not a Devil - in fact, he’s a God of Justice, amongst other things, who balances your good & bad deeds after you die to deliver final judgement of where you will move on.

Now there are Rakshasas or Demons created by God but they might not always be evil. However, there are definitely entities created because of man’s wrongdoings.

First, a “bhuta” is actually a larger concept that refers to energies, deities & also elements, so it does not always equal a ghost. But, indeed, our subtle body, the atma hovers around after death before our last rites are performed properly.

A preta is used as a more negative term for evil entities caused by the idea of “Krodha” i.e. “anger” or restless hunger arising out of greed, vices, crimes, wrongdoings & unfinished business & even untimely, unexpected deaths.

A pisaach is a dangerous demonic/vampiric entity that feeds on human flesh & can possess people to drive them insane so they’re always a big no-no.

A chudail is considered the spirit of a woman who died during childbirth or pregnancy.

A vetal is very similar to what we call zombies since it latches on to dead bodies from the graveyard.

If you do feel like you’re at risk of evil entities, your safest bet is reciting the Hanuman Chalisa because he’s considered the all-protecting God - you can also pray to Durga, Shiva or Ganesha.