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Yakshinis or Yakshis ( Sanskrit: यक्षिणी, IAST: Yakṣinī or Yakṣī, Pali: Yakkhiṇī or Yakkhī) are a class of female nature spirits in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious mythologies that are different from Devas and Asuras and Gandharvas or Apsaras.
The Yakshas ( Sanskrit: यक्ष, IAST: Yakṣa, Pali: Yakkha) are a broad class of nature spirits, usually benevolent, but sometimes mischievous or capricious, connected with water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure and wilderness.
Mythological figures often represented visually in a pair, the yaksha and yakshi are found across early Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art. Yakshas are male figures, and yakshis are their female counterparts.
Jul 12, 2024 · yaksha, in the mythology of India, a class of generally benevolent but sometimes mischievous, capricious, sexually rapacious, or even murderous nature spirits who are the custodians of treasures that are hidden in the earth and in the roots of trees. They are powerful magicians and shape-shifters.
Yakshinis are revered as powerful female deities in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythologies. They are often associated with wealth, beauty, and fertility. Yakshini worship involves a variety of rituals and practices that are performed to invoke their blessings and seek their aid in various endeavors.
A “Mauryan” sculpture par excellence. The Didarganj Yakshi was a significant find for the archaeologists and historians of the early twentieth century because of its incredible execution. Placing the sculpture in the history of the Indian subcontinent became important to understanding the evolution of the art of the region.
Jul 21, 2017 · Often portrayed as female vampires, preying on lonely travelers. It was believed that young women who died unnatural deaths became Yakshis. In the Kallara B (the unopened vault) of the famous Padamanabhaswamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram, is said to be a spirit of a Yakshi, in deep meditation.
Mythological figures often represented visually in a pair, the yaksha and yakshi are found across early Buddhist, Jain and Hindu art. Yakshas are male figures, and yakshis are their female counterparts.
While the male yakshas are depicted in Hindu art and architecture as portly and deformed, the yakshis or yakshinis are depicted as women of great charm and beauty. We find references to the yakshas and yakshinis in the epics, the Puranas and in the works of Kalidasa.
One of the greatest early stupas in ancient Andhra to feature personified lotus-offering female nature spirits (yakshis) was Amaravati. The yakshi seen here formed part of the first sculptural program to embellish Amaravati's Great Stupa, executed around 150 to 100 BCE.
