Yakshini

Yakshini
Didarganj Yakshi 3rd century BCE – 2nd century CEPatna Museum,Patna
Devanagari	यक्षिणी
Affiliation	Devi

TheBhutesvara Yakshis,Mathura,2nd century CE.

YakshinisorYakshis(Sanskrit:यक्षिणी,IAST:Yakṣinī or Yakṣī,Pali:Yakkhiṇī or Yakkhī) are a class of femalenature spiritsinHindu,Buddhist,andJainreligious mythologies that are different fromDevasandAsurasandGandharvasorApsaras.Yakshinisand their male counterparts, theYakshas,are one of the manyparanormalbeings associated with the centuries-oldsacred groves of India.Yakshis are also found in the traditional legends ofNortheastern Indiantribes, ancient legends ofKerala,and in the folktales ofKashmiri Muslims.Sikhismalso mentions yakshas in its sacred texts.

The well behaved and benign ones are worshipped astutelaries,they are the attendees ofKubera,the treasurer of the gods, and also the Hindu god ofwealthwho ruledHimalayankingdom ofAlaka.There are also malign and mischievous yakshinis withpoltergeist-like behaviours,that can haunt and curse humans according toIndian folklore.

Theashoka treeis closely associated with yakshinis. The young girl at the foot of the tree is an ancient motif indicating fertility on theIndian subcontinent.One of the recurring elements inIndian art,often found as gatekeepers in ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, is ayakshiniwith her foot on the trunk and her hands holding the branch of a stylized flowering ashoka or, less frequently, other tree with flowers or fruits.

In Buddhism

Yakshi under a flowering asoka tree.Shunga,2nd–1st century BC, India

The three sites ofBharhut,Sanchi,andMathura,have yielded huge numbers of Yakshi figures, most commonly on the railing pillars ofstupas.These show a clear development and progression that establishes certain characteristics of the Yakshi figure such as her nudity, smiling face and evident (often exaggerated) secondary sexual characteristics that lead to their association withfertility.The yakshi is usually shown with her hand touching a tree branch, in a sinuoustribhangapose, thus some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of the tree is based on an ancienttree deity.

Yakshis were important in earlyBuddhistmonuments as a decorative element and are found in many ancient Buddhist archaeological sites. They becameSalabhanjikas(sal treemaidens) with the passing of the centuries, a standard decorative element of bothIndian sculptureandIndian temple architecture.

The sal tree (Shorea robusta) is often confused with the ashoka tree (Saraca indica) in the ancient literature of the Indian Subcontinent.The position of the Salabhanjika is also related to the position ofQueen Māyā of Sakyawhen she gave birth to GautamaBuddhaunder an asoka tree in a garden inLumbini,while grasping its branch.

List of yakshini found in Buddhist literature

Below is a nonexhaustive list of yakshinis found in Buddhist literature:

• Hārītī
• Ālikā
• Vendā
• Anopamā
• Vimalaprabhā
• Śrī
• Śankhinī
• Meghā
• Timisikā
• Prabhāvatī
• Bhīmā
• Haritā
• Mahādevī
• Nālī
• Udaryā
• Kuntī
• Sulocanā
• Śubhru
• Susvarā
• Sumatī
• Vasumatī
• Citrākṣī
• Pūrnasniṣā
• Guhykā
• Suguhyakā
• Mekhalā
• Sumekhalā
• Padmocchā
• Abhayā
• Jayā
• Vijayā
• Revatikā
• Keśinī
• Keśāntā
• Anila
• Manoharā
• Manovatī
• Kusumavatī
• Kusumapuravāsinī
• Pingalā
• Vīramatī
• Vīrā
• Suvīrā
• Sughorā
• Ghorā
• Ghorāvatī
• Surāsundari
• Surasā
• Guhyottamārī
• Vaṭavāsinī
• Aśokā
• Andhārasunarī
• Ālokasunarī
• Prabhāvatī
• Atiśayavatī
• Rūpavatī
• Surūpā
• Asitā
• Saumyā
• Kāṇā
• Menā
• Nandinī
• Upanandinī
• Lokāntarā
• Kuvaṇṇā (Pali)
• Cetiyā (Pali)
• Piyaṅkaramātā (Pali)
• Punabbasumātā (Pali)
• Bhesakalā (Pali)

In Hinduism

In theUddamareshvara Tantra,thirty-six yakshinis are described, including theirmantrasandritualprescriptions. A similar list of yakshas and yakshinis are given in theTantraraja Tantra,where it says that these beings are givers of whatever is desired. They are the guardians of thetreasurehidden in theearth.They can beSattvik,RajasorTamasin nature.

36 Yakshinis

A Yakshin, 10th century,Mathura,India.Guimet Museum.

The sadhak can take yakshini as mother, sister or wife before commencing it. Proper mantra dikshaa from guru can speed up the mantra siddhi. They can be invoked with mantra "Om hreem shreem nityadravae mada (yakshini name) shreem hreem". The list of thirty six yakshinis given in theUddamareshvara Tantrais as follows, along with some of the associated legends:

1. Vichitra (The Lovely One)
2. Vibhrama (Amorous One): She is atamasyakshini and should be worshipped naked, by lighting camphor, ghee, and her mantra should be recited 20,000 times. Her mantra should be written with dust from a Cremation Ground. After that 20,000 timeshavanneed to be performed with cow ghee.
3. Hamsi (The one with Swan)
4. Bhishani (The Terrifying)
5. Janaranjika (Pleasuring Men)
6. Vishala (Large Eyed)
7. Madana (Lustful)
8. Ghanta (Bell)
9. Kalakarni (Ears Adorned with Kalas): Recite her mantra 10000 times with a blade of grass. She gives a shakti.
10. Mahabhaya (Greatly Fearful)
11. Mahendri (Greatly Powerful): Gives the person the ability to fly. One obtains Patala Siddhi.
12. Shankhini (Conch Girl ): Fulfilment of any desire.
13. Chandri (Moon Girl):
14. Shmashana (Cremation Ground Girl ): She is aTamasyakshini.
15. Vatayakshini: She resides in the banyan tree.
16. Mekhala (Love Girdle): She gives magical unguent which when smeared subjugates women. The sadhak has to go to madhuka tree in blossom on 14th day of lunar cycle and must chant her mantra. "Om Drim hum madanamekalayai madanavidhambanayai namah svaha".
17. Vikala
18. Lakshmi (Wealth)
19. Malini (Flower Girl )
20. Shatapatrika (100 Flowers )
21. Sulochana (Lovely Eyed)
22. Shobha
23. Kapalini (Skull Girl)
24. Varayakshini: She bestows boons to sadhak.
25. Nati (Actress):
26. Kameshvari: She gives gems,clothes and secrets of alchemy to the sadhak.
27. Dhana yakshini: She is used to provide knowledge on past and present. She is asattvayakshini. She also provides riches to the sadhak. The sadhak should climb and sit onbanyan treeand chant 10,000 times "Om Aim hreem shreem dhana kuru kuru swaha" during daytime.
28. Karnapisachi: She is atamasyakshini. She is used byaghorito know about past and present life of a person by whispering in the ear of a person who has attainedsiddhi.It is mentioned that the sadhak should leave this Siddhi else the karnapisachi takes their soul for serving it for 1,000 years. Her mantra is "Om arvinde swaha" which needs to be chanted 10,000 times within 21 days.
29. Manohara (Fascinating)
30. Pramoda (Fragrant): For one month rise at midnight and pronounce the mantra for 1,000 times. "Om hrim pramodyai swaha".
31. Anuragini (Very Passionate)
32. Nakhakeshi: She gives fruit on Siddhi.
33. Bhamini: She gives an wonderful unguent which smeared allures women and helps find treasure. Recite her mantra at the time of an of eclipse. "Om hrim yakshini bhamini ratipriye swaha".
34. Padmini: She is mentioned in (35).
35. Svarnavati: She gives Anjana Siddhi.
36. Ratipriya (Fond of Love): She is aSatvayakshini. Her image should be drawn on yellow silk cloth with beautiful women. Adorned with jewels and worshipped with ghee lamp, one unbroken nutmeg, she should be invoked with mantra "Om hrim ratipriya swaha" or "Om agacchh ratipriye swaha" each night (from 11.30 am to 3.30 am) till the yakshini manifests. During the time of sadhana,the sadhak should not eat non veg or betel leaves. It is not suitable for married men.

In Jainism

An image ofJaingoddessAmbikain Cave 34 of theEllora Caves

An image ofJaingoddessChakreshvari,c. 10th century, Mathura Museum

Padmavati,10th century,Metropolitan Museum of Art

InJainism,there are twenty-five yakshis, including Panchanguli,Chakreshvari,Ambika,andPadmavati,who are frequently represented in Jain temples.Each is regarded as the guardian goddess of one of the present tirthankar ShriSimandharSwami and twenty-four Jaintirthankara.The names according toTiloyapannatti(or Pratishthasarasangraha) and Abhidhanachintamani are:

• Panchanguli
• Chakreshvari
• Rohini, Ajitbala
• Prajnapti, Duritari
• Vajrashrankhala,Kali
• Vajrankusha,Mahakali
• Manovega, Shyama
• Kali,Shanta
• Jwalamalini,Mahajwala
• Mahakali, Sutaraka
• Manavi, Ashoka
• Gauri, Manavi
• Gandhari,Chanda
• Vairoti, Vidita
• Anantamati, Ankusha
• Manasi,Kandarpa
• Mahamansi, Nirvani
• Jaya,Bala
• Taradevi, Dharini
• Vijaya,Dharanpriya
• Aparajita, Nardatta
• Bahurupini, Gandhari
• Ambikaor Kushmandini
• Padmavati
• Siddhayika

Legendary yakshis of South India

TheBesnagarYakshi, 3rd–1st century BC.

In the literature and folktales of Kerala, yakshis are generally not considered benevolent. Many folk stories feature murdered women reborn as vengeful yakshis, some of which are listed below. Aside from those mentioned below, yakshis are also featured inMalayatoor Ramakrishnan's 1967 novelYakshi,which describes their world as having a blue sun, carpets of crimson grass, streams of molten silver, and flowers made of sapphires, emeralds, garnets, and topaz. In the novel, young yakshis fly around on the backs of giant dragonflies. According to Ramakrishnan's novel, adult yakshis are required to enter the land of the living once a year to feed on the blood of human men.

Chempakavally Ammal and Neelapilla Ammal

According to a legend from Thekkalai, next toNagercoilinTamil Nadu,a pair of beautiful sisters named Chempakavally and Neelapilla turned into vengeful yakshis after becoming victims of anhonor killingby their father. Since their father killed them to keep them from the clutches of the lustfulrajaof the region, the sister yakshis tortured and killed everyone in the palace, and their father as well. The two yakshis haunted the place where they were killed until they were placated somewhat by many poojas and rituals and a temple constructed on the site. Idols of the sister yakshis are present inside. The older sister, Chempakavally, eventually transformed into a benevolent deity and traveled toMount Kailashto worshipLord Shiva,while the younger sister, Neelapilla, remained ferocious. It is said that some of Neelapilla's devotees offer her the fingernail clippings or locks of hair from their enemies, beseeching her to destroy them.

Kalliyankattu Neeli

One of the most famous stories of legendary Yakshis of Kerala is that ofKalliyankattu Neeli,a powerful demoness who was fabled to have finally been stopped by the legendary priestKadamattathu Kathanar.The Yakshi theme is the subject of popular Keralite tales, like the legend of the Yakshi ofTrivandrum,as well as of certainmoviesin modernMalayalam cinema.

Kanjirottu Yakshi

Mangalathu Sreedevi or Chiruthevi, also known asKanjirottu Yakshiis a yakshi from the folklore of Kerala. According to legend, she was born into aPadamangalam Nairtharavadby name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode inSouth Travancore.She was also known as Chiruthevi. She was a ravishingly beautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with Raman Thampi, son of KingRama Varmaand rival ofAnizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.Made arrogant by her beauty and the adoration heaped on her by men, she enjoyed toying with men's lives and driving them to financial ruin.

However, Chiruthevi was truly in love with Kunjuraman, her palanquin-bearer, who was already married and uninterested in her romantically. In frustration, Chiruthevi arranged to have Kunjuraman's wife killed. Kunjuraman finally agreed to sleep with Chiruthevi, but then murdered her to avenge his wife.

Immediately after her death, Chiruthevi was reborn as a yakshi in the village ofKanjirottu,where she magically transformed into a beautiful woman mere moments after her birth. She terrorized men and drank their blood, and continued to harass Kunjuraman. Her frenzy only subsided after she made a deal with her brother Mangalathu Govindan, a close associate of Kunjuraman and a greatupāsaka(follower) of LordBalarama.According to their agreement she would cohabit with Kunjuraman for a year on the condition that she would become a devotee ofNarasimhaafter the year was up.The yakshi was installed at a temple which later came to be owned by Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu, though this temple no longer exists.

Reserve Bank of Indiaheadquarters, Delhi entrance with a yakshini sculpture (c. 1960) depicting "Prosperity through agriculture".

Statue of Yakshi by Kanayi Kunjiraman atMalampuzha Dam

Sundara Lakshmi, an accomplished dancer and consort of HHSwathi Thirunal Rama Varma,was an ardent devotee of Kanjirottu Yakshi Amma.

The Kanjirottu yakshi is now said to reside in Vault B ofSri Padmanabhaswamy TempleinThiruvananthapuram,Kerala,which supposedly also contains an enormous treasure.The enchanting and ferocious forms of this Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of Sri Padmanabha's shrine. The vault remains unopened due to ongoing legal issuesand the legend of the Yakshi, whom some believe will wreak havoc on the world if her prayers to Lord Narasimha within Vault B are disturbed by opening the vault.

Red sandstone 2nd century Kushan empire, mathura region, Dallas Museum of Art.

Beyond the Indian subcontinent and Hinduism

InChina,Taiwan,andJapanyakshni are famous and well-known, such asHariti,one of theTwenty-Four Protective Deitieswho are venerated as defenders of the BuddhistdharmainMahayana Buddhism.The Kishimojin (Hariti) temple inZoushigaya,Tokyois dedicated to her.

InThailand,yakshni are known and worshiped as deity guardians inTai Folk religionandThai folklore,showing the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism onThai culture.Yakshini have spirit houses and shrines devoted to them asTutelary deitiesin Thai folk religion. Examples include Nang Phisuea Samudra (ศาลนางผีเสื้อสมุทร), considered the deity guardian of Phisuea Samut Fort,Phra Samut Chedi District,Samut Prakan Province,Seang Chan BeachinMueang Rayong district,andRayong province;Nang Suphanapsron chomtevi (นางสุพรรณอัปสรจอมเทวี), considered the deity guardian of Wat Nang thakian (วัดนางตะเคียน) inMueang Samut Songkhram district,andSamut Songkhram province;and Nang Panturat (ศาลนางพันธุรัตน์) from theSang Thong,considered the deity guardian of Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park, Khao Yai Sup district,Cha-am district,andPhetchaburi province.

InMyanmar,yakshni are known and worshiped as deity guardians in Myanmar folk religion andBurmese folklore,showing the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism onBurmese culture.Examples includePopa Medaw,thedeity guardianofPopa mountain,and the yakshni deity guardian of theShwedagon Pagoda.

See also

• Apsara
• Fairy
• Houri
• Nariphon
• Nymph
• Salabhanjika
• Shitala
• Succubus
• Yogini
• List of tree deities

References

[2]

External links

• Concept of Yakshi(archived 21 July 2011)
• Encyclopædia Britannica — "Yaksha"
• RBI Monetary Museum — "Yaksha and Yakshini"
• Ideals of Female Beauty in Ancient India
• Huntingdon ArchiveArchived6 April 2015 at theWayback Machine