Vetala are evil spirits from Hindu folklore with varying shapes and forms who haunts cemeteries and takes demonic possession or control of corpses and are constantly plotting their return to the realm of the living or attacking humans until they are mangled. Their eyes glow with a dull light.
Legends say that the Vetala wield secret arts and can raise the dead by chanting mantras. They make their displeasure known by troubling humans. They can drive people mad, kill children and cause miscarriages. There are spells to utilize them to manipulate the dead. They suck the blood of their victims and bend them to their will, even controlling their movement like puppets.
Vetala are considered the greatest of all evil spirits but were also known as vampires or leaders of ghosts. They were also known as Preta as the most dangerous of them.
In Buddhist tradition, they are called Kondara or Metara.
A man in Korakuen boasts about his pet Vetala and challenges the hero. After its defeat, the hero obtains the Earth Talisman.
Shin Megami Tensei[]
"Origin: India. A malevolent spirit of Hindu lore. They posses corpses and control them. They are also vampires or leaders of ghosts. There are spells to utilize them to manipulate the dead."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS Dictionary
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
Vetala is incorrectly named Rakshasa in the original English release. It appears in the Yurakucho Tunnel, although as a haunt the Demi-fiend cannot speak to them unless he either uses the Jive Talk conversation skill if he has it or encounters one in a dazed demon state during the Full Kagutsuchi.
"A type of Preta appearing in Hindu tradition. They are the most dangerous of all Preta. They possess the dead bodies of humans and are constantly plotting their return to the realm of the living. Their eyes glow with a dull light. Legends say that the Vetala wield secret arts and can raise the dead by chanting mantras. Vetala are considered the greatest of all evil spirits, and also a form of vampire. They suck the blood of their victims and bend them to their will, even controlling their movement like puppets. In Buddhist tradition, they are called Kondara or Metara."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE Compendium
Vetala can be contracted in Shinagawa's Catacombs of the Templar Knight during the new moon phase. They appear in Ikebukuro as one of the demons contracted by punks and as one of the two final bosses of the Old Tokyo Metro instance.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"A type of Preta in Hindu and Buddhist lore. Classified as "powerful ghosts," they have varying shapes and forms. They can control the dead and eat humans."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Compendium
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Vetala acts as a guard of Shinjuku's entrance in the world of Infernal Tokyo, requiring payment to let people pass. When attempting to get the usual payment from Akira, he learns from Walter that he is trying to attack Shinjuku's leader and decides to punish his Neurishers, stating that he is next. He is scared by how strong the Samurai are as they defeat him and complains about how it isn't fair before dying.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
"A type of preta in Hindu and Buddhist lore. Classified as "powerful ghosts," they have varying shapes and forms. They can control the dead and eat humans."
—Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse compendium
Vetala can teach Nanashi the Eat Whole, Acid Breath and Fog Breath skills through its Demon Whisper. It benefits from learning Darkness, support and Physical skills.
Vetala is the first boss encountered in the game, leading a group of Karma Societysoldiers in an attempt to break into the Lokapala's Underground City. It can later be encountered as a normal enemy in the Power plant.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"A type of Preta in Hindu and Buddhist lore. Vetala are considered the greatest and most dangerous of all Preta. They lurk in graveyards reanimating corpses to their bidding, attacking humans until everything and everyone is mangled."