Bhuta

Bhuta

भूत, bhūta

Bhutas are:

1. The evil spirits, one of the lowest grades of demons. They are already mentioned in the Upanishads as malicious beings. They send misfortunes and diseases to people, damage livestock, destroy crops, etc. They live in forests and in abandoned houses. Later they became associated with the pretas and are considered the souls of the dead, who went through violent death or were left without funeral rites. They are included in Shiva's demonic retinue.
2. The elements of the universe, of which there are five (panchabhuta): earth, water, fire, air, ether.