YAKSH
![](300px-392px-CunninghamBharhut.jpg)
Yaksh
reliefs. Bharhut, 2nd century BCE
![](MathuraYaksa.jpg)
Mathura
Yaksh, 1st-2nd century CE
![](300px-Yaksa_Parkham_Mathura.jpg)
Image
of Yaksh from Parkham Mathura, 3rd-2nd century. Mathura Museum.
Yaksh
(Yakha, Yakkha) is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits,
usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures
hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu mythology,
Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is yaksi
or yakshini (Pali: yakkhi or yakkhini).
General
character :
In Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology, the Yaksh has a dual personality.
On the one hand, a yaksh may be an inoffensive nature-fairy, associated
with woods and mountains; but there is a much darker version of
the yaksh, which is a kind of cannibalistic ogre, ghost or demon
that haunts the wilderness and waylays and devours travelers, similar
to the rakshash.
In
Kalidas's poem Meghadut, for instance, the Yaksh narrator is a romantic
figure, pining with love for his missing beloved. By contrast, in
the did actic Hindu dialogue of the Yaksaprasnah ("questions
of the Yaksh"), a dangerous cannibalistic Yaksh, the tutelary
spirit of a lake, threatens the life of the epic hero Yudhisthir.
The
Yakshs may have originally been the tutelary gods of forests and
villages, and were later viewed as the steward deities of the earth
and the wealth buried beneath.
In
Indian art, male Yakshs are portrayed either as fearsome warriors
or as portly, stout and dwarf -like. Female Yaksh, known as Yakshini,
are portrayed as beautiful young women with happy round faces and
full breasts and hips.
In
the state of Kerala, in South India, Yakshis are depicted as vampire
enchantresses.
The
Kirats are Limbu, Rai, Yakkha,
Sunuwar and Lepch tribes of Eastern Nepal.
Yaksha
in Mahabharat :
The banks of river Narmada is described as the birth place of yaksh
king Kuber (Vaisravan), where his father Visravas, who was a sage,
lived. It is also a territory of Gandharvs. (Mahabharat: 3,89).
Gokarn, Karnataka is also mentioned as a place of yakshs and Pisach
Kingdom, and Kinnara Kingdom and the great Nagas Kingdom and Siddhas
and charans and gandharvs. (3,85)
Van
Parv, Mahabharat / Book III Chapter 174 tells us Pandvs journey
twelfth year of their sojourn in forests having arrived reach Saraswati
River. The holy fig, the rudaraksh, the rohitak, the cane and the
jujube, the catechu, the sirish, the bel and the inguda and the
karira and pilu and sami trees grew on the banks of the Saraswati.
Wandering about with contentment in (the vicinity of) the Saraswati
which was, as it were, the home of the celestials, and the favourite
(resort) of Yakshs and Gandharvs and Maharshis, those sons of kings
lived there in happiness."
Yaksh
in Buddhism :
In Buddhist countries Yaksh are known under the following names:
Chinese language Pinyin, Japanese language: nihongo|Yasha|, Burmese
language: ba-lu.
In
Buddhist mythology, the Chinese language Pinyin are the attendants
of Vaisravan, the Guardian of the Northern Quarter, a beneficent
god who protects the righteous. The term also refers to the twelve
heavenly generals who guard the Buddh of Medicine.
In
Mahavansh :
Mahavansa / Chapter 10 writes.Ten years after his consecration did
Pandukabhaya the over the whole of the island of Lanka. With Kalavel
and Cittaraj, who were visible (in bodily form) the prince enjoyed
his good fortune, he who had Yakkhas and Bhutas for friends. Between
the king Pandukabhaya and Abhaya were seventeen years without a
king.
Yakshs
in Jats :
The prakrit form of the sanskrit word Yaksh is Jakh. Some
of the jat clans having possible linkages with the Yakshs are Jakhar,
Jakha, Jakhaudia.
Jakhar
:
The Jat historian Hukum Singh Panwar (Pauria) writes that Jakhar
is derived from Yaksh. This tribe Jakhar claim Jakha or Jakhu, known
as Yaksh or Yakshu in Sanskrit, to be their most ancient eponymous
progenitor. Hukum Singh Panwar further writes that Yakshs were one
of the tribes who fought the last battle of Dasrajna War (the
battle of ten kings) under the leadership of Dasa Raja named Bheda
against Bharats tribes on the banks of Yamuna. The other
tribes were Ajas, Sigrus,
Alinas, Pakthas, Bhalan,
Sivas, and Visanin. M.L. Bhargava writes that after the defeat
on the Yamuna River they migrated to the Oxus (Geek name) valley
and gave the name to valley as Jaksha or Jaaksh. He opines that
Budakhsis and their city Badakshan are known after the combined
name of Bheda, the leader of the Yakshas and that of the latter,
Bheda is also a Jat clan.
Jakh :
Jakh is a Jat gotra in Churu and Jodhpur districts in Rajasthan.
Jakhaudiya, Jakhaudia :
Jakhaudiya, Jakhaudia gotra of Jats are found around Delhi. This
gotra originated from place name Jakhaud. This village was founded
by one of seven sons of Maharaj Anangpal.
Yaksh in Jainism :
23rd Jain tirthankar Parshvanath is always represented with the
hood of a snake shading his head. The Yaksh Dharanendra and the
Yakshi Padmavati are often shown flanking him.
Yaksh
Kingdom :
Yaksh Kingdom refers to the territory of a tribe called Yakshs who
were one among the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They had kinship
with another similar tribe viz. Rakshash. Yaksh king Vaisravan (also
known as Kuber, Kuver etc) and Rakshash king Ravan were both sons
of the sage Visrava Paulastya. Kuber is sometimes mentioned as a
Rakshash king. Kubera ruled a Yaksh kingdom of enormous wealth near
the Kailash mountains. Pandavs visited this place during their forest
life, by mounting the Himalayas with the help of Rakshasa Ghatotkacha
and his friends.
Didarganj
Yakshi :
![](300px-Didarganj_Yakshi_statue_in_the_Bihar_Museum.jpg)
Didarganj
Yakshi
The
Didarganj Yakshi (or Didarganj Chauri Bearer) is sometimes considered
as one of the finest examples of Mauryan art in the 3rd century
BCE. Alternatively, it is rather dated to the 2nd century CE, based
on the analysis of shape and ornamentation. The treatment of the
forelock in particular is said to be characteristically Kushan.
The
sculpture is currently located in the Bihar Museum in Bihar, India.
It is 64" tall, carved out of a single piece of stone. This
life-size standing image is tall, well-proportioned, free-standing
sculpture is made of sandstone with well polished surface, a characteristic
usually associated with Mauryan polish. The Flywhisk (chauri) is
held in the right hand whereas the left hand is broken. The lower
garment create a somewhat transparent effect. The Didarganj Yakshi
is estimated to date from ca. 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century
CE. It was excavated on the banks of the Ganges River, at the hamlet
of Didarganj Kadam Rasual, northeast of the Qadam-i-Rasul Mosque
in Patna City, on October 18, 1917 by the villagers and by the noted
archaeologist and historian, Professor J N Samaddar[21] Professor
Samaddar, with the help of the then president of Patna Museum Committee
and member of Board of Revenue, Mr. E. H. C. Walsh and Dr. D. B.
Spooner, the noted archaeologist, retrieved the figure in Patna
Museum, Patna.
Mandarachal
:
Vijayendra Kumar Mathur has written… Mandarachal (AS, p.688):
‘Shvetam Girin Pravekshyamo Mandaran Chave Mountains, Yatra
Manivarau Yaksh : Kuberashasthava Yaksharat’ - Mahabharat
139,5.
In this quote, Mandarachal is mentioned in connection with the visit
of the Pandavs to Uttarakhand, which makes it look like a hillock
near Badrinath or Kailash in the mountain Himalayas. Vishnu Puran
temple mount by 02/02/16 Ilavrit to east of Purven Mndronam Dkshine
Gandmadn 'mandarachal was in mythology kshirsagar. There is also
a description in the story of Manthan (churning). According to this
legend, at the time of Samudra Manthan, the gods and the demons
made Mandrachal churner.
Selection
:
Varan selection ( AS , Pk833) - a town where described = Buddhacharit
21.25 redress named Chairman of the Buddha had religious initiation.
Its cognition is uncertain. (De Waran)]
History
:
Vijayendra Kumar Mathur wrote .... Hatak (AS, p.1018): Mahabharat
is the place mentioned in the sabha Parv, which is called the country
of the Yakshs. On this, Arjun had won in the context of Digvijay
of the north direction - this place will be located near the alka
of Meghdoot of Kalidas. Mansarovar was near here - it was the present
state of Mansarovar and Kailash located in Tibet. Here there was
colony of Guhayaks (Yakshs) and Gandharvs. Mr. B.C. Hatak is presently
stuck (Pakistan) in LA . N.L. According to De Hoon Is the name of
the country.
Didarganj
Yakshini :
President Vijender Kumar Mathur has articles ... Didarganj (AS,
Pk438) a historical place which is located near Patna in Bihar province.
A beautiful statue of a Yakshini was obtained from Didarganj in
1917 . That idol is holding a skin in his hand. Hence it has been
called Chamaragrahi Yakshini. In the opinion of scholars, this statue
is of Mauryan periodis. The composition of the idol is very beautiful
and its posture is very natural. The sculpture depicts the body
part-suffix with utmost liveliness. The upper part of the idol is
unclothed and in the lower part it is wearing a sari. One hand of
the idol is fragmented and the other is holding a skin. The idol
is graceful around the neck, hanging waving above the athletic chest.
The marking of the gravity of the weakened lumbar and macro buttocks
is also ingenious. Presently this idol is safe in the museum of
Patna.
References
in Mahabharata
Yaksha territory
The territory of Yakshas under Kuber is mentioned as the region
surrounding the Kailash mountains and Lake Manasarovar lake (Tibet)
in the Himalayas.
Pandavs
Expeditions :
Expeditions of Pandavas (3: 139) guided by sage Lomasa :
Lomasa
said, now hast thou left behind the mountains Usiravija, Mainak
and Swet, as well as the Kala hills, O son of Kunti , O bull among
the descendants of Bharat, here flow before thee the seven Gangas.
This spot is pure and holy. Here Agni blazeth forth without intermission.
Now wilt thou see the play-ground of the Devas , marked with their
footprints, as we have passed the mountain Kala. We shall now ascend
that white rock — the mountain Mandara , inhabited by the
Yaksh, Manibhadra and Kuvera, king of the Yakshs. O king, at this
place eighty thousand fleet Gandharvs, and four times as many Kimpurushs
and Yakshs of various shapes and forms, holding various weapons,
attend upon Manibhadra, king of the Yakshs. In these regions their
power is very great. And in speed they are even as the wind. They
can, without doubt, displace even the lord of the Devas from his
seat. Protected by them, and also watched over by the Rakshashs,
these mountains have been rendered inaccessible. Here are fierce
ministers of Kuvera and his Rakshash kindred.
Section
3: 152 describes Pandava Bhim's expedition to this territory :
Bhim
saw in the vicinity of the Kailash cliff, that beautiful lotus lake
surrounded by lovely woods and guarded by the Rakshashs. And it
sprang from the cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. And
located on the rocky elevation this expanse of excellent water was
exceedingly fair. That unearthly receptacle of waters was covered
with celestial Saugandhik lotuses. And this lake was the sporting
region of the high-souled Kuvera, the king of the Yakshs. And it
was held in high regard by the Gandharvs the Apsaras and the celestials.
And it was frequented by the celestial sages and the Yakshs and
the Kimpurushs and the Rakshashs and the Kinnaras; Hundreds and
thousands of Rakshashs, named Krodhavas were guarding that lake,
wearing uniforms and armed with various weapons.
Ashtavakra's
expeditions :
Section 13:19 describes sage Ashtavakra's expedition to this territory
:
The
illustrious Ashtavakra set out on his journey. He proceeded more
and more towards the north and at last reached the Himavat mountains
peopled by Siddhas and Charanas Arrived at the Himavat mountains,
that foremost of Brahamans then came upon the sacred river Vahuda
whose waters produce great merit. He rested for some more time by
the side of that lake in the course of the Vahuda whose shores he
had reached. Refreshed by such rest, he set out from that region
and then proceeded towards Kailasa. He then beheld a gate of gold.
He saw also the Mandakini and the Nalini of the high-souled Kubera,
the Lord of Treasures. Beholding the Rishi arrived there, all the
Rakshashs having Manibhadra for their head, who were engaged in
protecting that lake abounding with beautiful lotuses, came out
in a body for welcoming and honoring the illustrious traveler.
More
information on the region :
Section 5: 111 :
Because
all the treasures of the north stretches in a line towards the east
and the west, therefore is the north sometimes called the central
region. Hither, is the asylum, known by the name of Vadari Badrinath
. It was here, on the breast of Kailasa, that Kubera, was installed
on the sovereignty of the Rakshashs, the Yakshs and the Gandharvs.
It is in this region that (Kuvera's gardens called) Chitrarath lie
and it is here that the asylum of (the Munis called the) Vaikhanasas
is situate. It is here, that the celestial stream called Mandakini,
and the mountain Mandara are to be seen. It is here that the gardens
called Saugandhi-kanak are always guarded by the Rakshashs. Here
are many plains covered with grassy verdure, as also the plantain
forest, and those celestial trees called the Sautanakas. It is in
this region that the mountains of Kailash lie, the abode of Ailavila
(Kuvera). It is here that the ten Apsaras known by the name of Vidyutprabha
had their origin. Here, in this quarter, at a place called Usiravija,
by the side of the golden lake, king Marutta performed, a sacrifice.gold
mines of Himavat exhibit themselves to the illustrious and regenerate
Rishi Jimuta and hence known by the name of the Jaimuta gold. At
(14:16) Pandavs were mentioned as mining this gold.
The
region, called Mandakini, of king Vaisravan is attained by those
highly blessed persons for whom are every joy and comfort. There
Gandharvas and Yakshas and Apsaras live (13: 102).
The
spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains
which is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas and
Apsaras, and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnars, is called Gangadwar
(3:90).
Delicious
and cooling breezes murmuring through forests of tall Mandaras,
and bearing fragrance of extensive plantations of jasmine, as also
of the lotuses on the bosom of the river Alak and of the Nandan-gardens,
always minister to the pleasure of the King of the Yakshs. (2,10).
On
the south of Nishadh is the Varsha called Hiranmaya where is the
river called Hiranwati. There, liveth that foremost of birds named
Garuda . And the people there, are all followers of the Yakshs,
wealthy, and of handsome features (6: 8).
Brahma-vodhya,
and Vrihadvati were mentioned as rivers of Yaksh regions (6: 9).
Arjuna had encountered Yakshs in Khandava forests.
Karna had encountered Yakshs in Mahendra mountains.
Yakshs were mentioned to be dwelling on the northern banks of river
Saraswati (9:37).
King Vaisravan (Kuber) :
The banks of river Narmada is described as the birth place of Yaksh
king Kuvera (Vaisravan), where his father Visravas, who was a sage,
lived (MBh 3,89). King Vaisravan or Kubera was the ruler of Lanka
Kingdom which was guarded by hosts of Rakshash. He had a chariot
called Pushpak capable of going everywhere according to the will
of the rider. And the kingship of the Yakshs and the sovereignty
over sovereigns were also his (2,272). Rakshash Ravan defeated Kuber
in battle and obtained from him the sovereignty of Lanka. That adorable
Being, leaving Lanka and followed by Gandharv Kingdom, Yakshs, Rakshasah
and Kinnar Kingdom, went to live on mount Gandhamadan (near Kailash,
Tibet). And Ravan forcibly took from him the celestial chariot Pushpak.
The
lord Kuber of body resembling pure gold, seated on his car of great
splendor, and accompanied by numerous Yaksh came there. And the
lord of treasures, possessed of great beauty, came there to see
Arjun , illuminating the firmament with his effulgence. (3:41).
At
(3: 160) is mentioned an encounter between Pandav Bhim and the Yaksh
army. Here Krodhovas Rakshasah were mentioned as part of Kuber's
army. Maniman is mentioned as a friend of Kuber and a leader of
the army. Kuber came to see Bhim the destroyer of his army.
Kubera
is sometimes mentioned as Ailavila (5: 139).
Kubera had a son named Nalakubera (9:47).
Sthunakarna :
Another prominent Yaksh found mention in Mahabharat is Sthunakarna.
He dwelt in a forest close to the Panchal Kingdom. He converted
Shikhandini, the daughter of Panchal king Drupada into a male by
exchanging his male sexuality with her. Here the Yaksh is addressed
as a Guhyak, the one who dwells in caves or in hidden places.
There
was a dense and solitary forest that was the haunt of a very formidable
Yaksh called Sthunakarna. From fear of that Yaksh men never went
into that forest. And within it stood a mansion with high walls
and a gateway, plastered over with powdered earth, and rich with
smoke bearing the fragrance of fried paddy. Entering that mansion,
Sikhandini, the daughter of Drupad, began to reduce herself by foregoing
all food for many days. Thereupon, the Yaksh named Sthun, who was
endued with kindness, showed himself without her (5,194).
Mystification of Yakshs :
At (3: 310) of Mahabharata is a conversation of a Yaksh and Pandav
king Yudhisthir. Here Yaksh is described as an invisible voice from
the sky, coming from the top of the trees, in a dense forest.
Manibhadras,
and Vaisravan (Kuber), the king of the Yaksh were worshipped by
travelers who travel through lonely territories, for protection
against dangers. Manibhadra is one of the warrior in the Yaksh army
of Kuber. Gandharvs were also part of his army (3:65).
At
(3: 229) this is more clear : - The man who beholds devas while
sleeping, or in a wakeful state soon turns mad, and the spirit under
whose influence these hallucinations take place is called the Dev
spirit.
When
a person beholds his dead ancestors while he is seated at ease,
or lying in his bed, he soon loses his reason, and the spirit which
causes this illusion of sensible perception, is called the ancestral
spirit.
The man who shows disrespect to the Siddhas and who is cursed by
them in return, soon runs mad and the evil influence by which this
is brought about, is called the Siddha spirit.
And
the spirit by whose influence a man smells sweet odor, and becomes
cognisant of various tastes (when there are no odoriferous or tasteful
substances about him) and soon becomes tormented, is called the
Rakshash spirit.
And
the spirit by whose action celestial musicians (Gandharvs) blend
their existence into the constitution of a human being, and make
him run mad in no time, is called the Gandharv spirit.
And
that evil spirit by whose influence men are always tormented by
Pisachs, is called the Paisach spirit.
When
the spirit of Yaksh enters into the system of a human being by some
accident, he loses his reason immediately and such a spirit is called
the Yaksh spirit.
It
is known that excepting the first forty seconds the gray twilight
preceding night fall hath been appointed for the wandering of the
Yakshs, the Gandharvs and the Rakshash, all of whom are capable
of going everywhere at will (1,172).
Other
references :
The Yakshas, milking the Earth, got the power of disappearance at
will (7,67).
The royal Kuvera, the chief of the Yakshs and the Rakshash, is the
lord of the treasury of Indra (12: 289).
Rishi Yaksh of great intelligence succeeded in restoring the Niruktas
which had disappeared from the surface of the Earth and sunk into
nether regions (12: 342).
Mankanak is mentioned as a Yaksh and one of the gate keepers of
Kuber (3:83).
Manibhadra is mentioned as the king of Yakshs at (3:64).
At Kusasthali once there was held a conclave of the Devs . And surrounded
by grimvisaged Yakshs, numbering 300 maha-padmas, carrying various
weapons, Kuber attended that conclave. (3: 160).
The great Yaksh Amogha with his attendants — the Jambhak Yakshs
and other Rakshash were mentioned as army men of Kartikeya, in his
battle with Asura Mahisha (3: 230). (Mahisha himself was
the son of an Asura in his wife belonging to the Yaksha tribe).
Garud had encounters with the Yakshs viz. Aswakrand of great courage,
Rainuk, the bold Krathanak, Tapan, Uluk, Swasanak, Nimesh, Praruj,
and Pulin.
Shiv is mentioned as the friend of Kubera (12: 284).
List
of Exotic Tribes :
Devs (Rudras, Maruts, Vasus, Adityas )
Asurs (Daityas, Danavs, Kalakeyas)
Pisachs, Gandharvs, Kimpurushas, Kinnaras, Yakshas
Rakshash
Vanars
Nags , Suparnas
Bhuts
Source
:
https://www.jatland.com/
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