YAKSHI/YAKSHINI-PART 2 Compiled fromWikipedia
Yakshinis or Yakshis are a class of female nature spirits inHindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious mythologies that are different from Devasand Asuras and Gandharvas or Apsaras. Yakshinis and their male counterparts, the Yakshas, are oneof the many paranormal beings associated with the centuries-old sacred grovesof India. Yakshis are also found in the traditional legends of NortheasternIndian tribes, ancient legends of Kerala, and in the folktales of KashmiriMuslims. Sikhism also mentions yakshas in its sacred texts. The well behaved and benign ones are worshipped astutelaries, they are the attendees of Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, andalso the Hindu god of wealth who ruled Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. There arealso malign and mischievous yakshinis with poltergeist-like behaviours, thatcan haunt and curse humans according to Indian folklore. The ashoka tree is closely associated with yakshinis. Theyoung girl at the foot of the tree is an ancient motif indicating fertility onthe Indian subcontinent. One of the recurring elements in Indian art, oftenfound as gatekeepers in ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, is a yakshini withher foot on the trunk and her hands holding the branch of a stylized floweringashoka or, less frequently, other tree with flowers or fruits…. Yakshi in Religions-Hinduism, Budddhism and jainism I will concentrate my compilation about Yakshi more in Hinduism, though slightmentions in other religions are also told. In Buddhism The three sites of Bharhut, Sanchi, and Mathura, have yieldedhuge numbers of Yakshi figures, most commonly on the railing pillars of stupas.These show a clear development and progression that establishes certaincharacteristics of the Yakshi figure such as her smiling face and evidentsecondary sexual characteristics that lead to their association with fertility.The Yakshi is usually shown with her hand touching a tree branch, in a sinuoustribhanga pose, thus some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of thetree is based on an ancient tree deity. Yakshis were important inearly Buddhist monuments as a decorative element and are found in many ancient Buddhistarchaeological sites. They became tree maidens with the passing of thecenturies, a standard decorative element of both Indian sculpture and Indiantemple architecture. In Jainism, there are twenty-five Yakshis,including Panchanguli, Chakreshvari, Ambika, and Padmavati, who are frequentlyrepresented in Jain temples. In Hinduism In the Uddamareshvara Tantra, thirty-six yakshinis aredescribed, including their mantras and ritual prescriptions. They are theguardians of the treasure hidden in the earth. They can be Sattvik, Rajas orTamas in nature. Some Yakshi names inHinduism. Vichitra (The Lovely One),Vibhrama (Amorous One) Hamsi (The one with Swan), Janaranjika (One who is charming) Kalakarni(Ears Adorned with Kalas) Shankhini (Conch Girl ),Chandri (Moon Girl) Lakshmi(Wealth) Malini (Flower Girl ), Shatapatrika (100 Flowers ) Sulochana (Lovely Eyed),Shobha(beautiful) Manohara(Fascinating) Pramoda (Fragrant).Anuragini (Very Passionate), Nakhakeshi: Shegives fruit on Siddhi. Nati (Actress),Kameshvari(inducing sex) Dhana yakshini, Ratipriya(Fond of Love) etc. Bhishani (TheTerrifying),Vishala(Large Eyed),Madana (Lustful),Mahabhaya (Greatly Fearful),Mahendri (GreatlyPowerful),Shmashana (Cremation Ground Girl ) Kapalini (Skull Girl),Karnapisachietc. Legendary Yakshis ofsouth India In the literature and folktales of Kerala, Yakshis aregenerally not considered benevolent. Many folk stories feature murdered women reborn as vengeful Yakshis, some of which are listed below. Aside from thosementioned below, Yakshis are also featured in Malayatoor Ramakrishnan's 1967novel Yakshi, which describes their world as having a blue sun, carpets ofcrimson grass, streams of molten silver, and flowers made of sapphires,emeralds, garnets, and topaz. In the novel, young Yakshis fly around on thebacks of giant dragonflies. According to Ramakrishnan's novel, adult Yakshisare required to enter the land of the living once a year to feed on the bloodof human men. Chempakavally Ammal andNeelapilla Ammal According to a legend from Thekkalai, next to Nagercoil inTamil Nadu, a pair of beautiful sisters named Chempakavally and Neelapillaturned into vengeful Yakshis after becoming victims of an honor killing bytheir father. Since their father killed them to keep them from the clutches ofthe lustful raja of the region, the sister Yakshis tortured and killed everyonein the palace, and their father as well. The two Yakshis haunted the placewhere they were killeduntil they were placated somewhat by many poojas and rituals and a templeconstructed on the site. Idols of the sister Yakshis are presentinside. The older sister, Chempakavally, eventually transformed into abenevolent deity and travelled to Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva, whilethe younger sister, Neelapilla, remained ferocious. It is said that some ofNeelapilla's devotees offer her the fingernail clippings or locks of hair fromtheir enemies, beseeching her to destroy them. Kalliyankattu Neeli One of the most famous stories of legendary Yakshis of Keralais that of Kalliyankattu Neeli, a powerful demoness who was fabled to havefinally been stopped by the legendary priest Kadamattathu Kathanar. The Yakshitheme is the subject of popular Keralite tales, like the legend of the Yakshiof Trivandrum, as well as of certain movies in modern Malayalam cinema. My note-I recentlyread elsewhere; she was a real women. Kanjirottu Yakshi Mangalathu Sreedevi or Chiruthevi, also known as KanjirottuYakshi is a yakshi from the folklore of Kerala. According to legend, she wasborn into a Padamangalam Nair tharavad by name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode inSouth Travancore. She was also known as Chiruthevi. She was a ravishinglybeautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with Raman Thampi, son ofKing Rama Varma and rival of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma. Made arrogant byher beauty and the adoration heaped on her by men, she enjoyed toying withmen's lives and driving them to financial ruin. However, Chiruthevi was truly in love with Kunjuraman, herpalanquin-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 toavenge his wife. Immediately after her death, Chiruthevi was reborn as ayakshi in the village of Kanjirottu, where she magically transformed into abeautiful woman mere moments after her birth. She terrorized men and dranktheir blood, and continued to harass Kunjuraman. Her frenzy only subsided aftershe made a deal with her brother Mangalathu Govindan, a close associate ofKunjuraman and a great upāsaka (follower) of Lord Balarama. According to theiragreement she would cohabit with Kunjuraman for a year on the condition thatshe would become a devotee of Narasimha after the year was up. The yakshi wasinstalled at a temple which later came to be owned by Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu, though this temple nolonger exists. Sundara Lakshmi, anaccomplished dancer and consort of HH Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, was an ardentdevotee of Kanjirottu Yakshi Amma. The Kanjirottu yakshiis now said to reside in VaultB of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, which supposedlyalso contains an enormous treasure. Theenchanting and ferocious forms of this Yakshi are painted on the south-westpart of Sri Padmanabha's shrine. The vault remains unopened due toongoing legal issues and the legend of the Yakshi, whom some believe will wreakhavoc on the world if her prayers to Lord Narasimha within Vault B aredisturbed by opening the vault. Beyond the Indiansubcontinent and Hinduism In China, Taiwan, and Japan yakshni are famous andwell-known, such as Hariti, one of the Twenty-Four Protective Deities who arevenerated as defenders of the Buddhist dharma in Mahayana Buddhism. TheKishimojin (Hariti) temple in Zoushigaya, Tokyo is dedicated to her. In Thailand, yakshni areknown and worshiped as deity guardians in Tai Folk religion and Thai folklore, showing theinfluence of Buddhism and Hinduism on Thai culture. Yakshini have spirit housesand shrines devoted to them as Tutelary deities in Thai folk religion. In Myanmar, yakshni areknown and worshiped as deity guardians in Myanmar folk religion and Burmese folklore, showing the influence ofBuddhism and Hinduism on Burmese culture. Examples include Popa Medaw, thedeity guardian of Popa mountain, and the yakshni deity guardian of theShwedagon Pagoda. Is there an exclusiveYakshi temple in Kerala? No, there is no exclusive Yakshi temple inKerala; Yakshi areprimarily worshiped as a benevolent, protective, or sometimes malevolent deitywithin existing temples, or as a powerful figure in local folklore. They areoften found venerated as a sub-deity alongside major gods and goddesses likeDurga. Sub-deity worship: Yakshis are worshiped as sub-deities in many Keralatemples, often associated with fertility, wealth, and nature. Folklore: Yakshi figures are prominent in Kerala's folklore,where they can be associated with both benevolent and malevolent aspects. Worship practices: Worship of Yakshis is common in Kerala and reflects theirancient origins as goddesses associated with fertility and the regionaltraditions where they are worshipped, sanctums dedicated to Yakshis are kept partially open tocontain their powerful and ambivalent nature. While originallybenevolent nature spirits associated with fertility, certain traditions,particularly in Kerala, also portray Yakshis as powerful and sometimesmalevolent spirits. Keeping their sanctums partially open is apractice believed to prevent a Yakshi's immense and untamed power from beingfully unleashed. Thereasons for this belief vary by regional legend: A method of confinement: In some tales, the sanctum was builtto contain a particularly ferocious or vengeful Yakshi. The partially open door, oftencarved with protective iconography like snakes, represents a delicate balance,keeping her sealed inside while also acknowledging her presence. Thestory of the Kanjirottu Yakshi sealed within Vault B of the SreePadmanabhaswamy Temple is a well-known example of this tradition. Channeling powerful energy: As ancient fertility spirits, Yakshisare sources of great power, but they are also perceived as less refined thanmajor deities. Unlike a major temple where a deity's energy is contained withina closed sanctum, a partially open one for a Yakshi serves to channel andcontrol their potent, untamed energy. Acknowledging their untamed nature: Yakshis are oftenassociated with wild, natural spaces like groves and forests rather than thestructured, urban spaces of major temples. The half-closed door is anarchitectural acknowledgment of this wild, nature-based origin. It suggeststhat her presence cannot be completely confined within human-built structures. An invitation for offerings: Yakshis are known to grantwishes and were often worshipped for material benefits like wealth andfertility. In some traditions, the open door is a way to accept votiveofferings from devotees seeking such boons. It's important to note that the portrayal of Yakshis variesacross different faiths and regions, evolving significantly over centuries ofassimilation. While some legends in Kerala emphasize a demonic nature, inancient Jain and Buddhist traditions, Yakshis were often depicted as benevolentguardian spirits associated with nature, fertility, and prosperity. Yakshi temples inTamilnadu Yes, there are Hindu temples dedicated to or featuring theworship of Yakshis in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the southern districts. Thispractice is part of a long history of folk deity worship in the region, whichhas been integrated into mainstream Hindu tradition. The most prominent exampleis the widespread worship of IsakkiAmman. Isakki Amman is a folk Hindu goddess whose nameis derived from the Sanskrit word yakshi. Her worship is especially prevalentin the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, such as Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli,Tuticorin, and Virudhunagar. The Arulmigu Isakki AmmanTemple in Kulasekaranputhoor, Kanyakumari, is a prominent center of herworship. Isakki Amman is considered a kaval deivam (guardian deity)and is revered for acting as a guardian spirit. Historical origins The worship of Yakshis inTamil Nadu has ancient roots that predate the Aryan era and were later incorporated intovarious faiths, including Hinduism. Jain connection: Historically, Yakshis were guardian deitiesin Jainism. In Tamil Nadu, Jains built separate shrines for these Yakshis, andsome of their worship traditions were absorbed by the local population. Transformation into Hindu deities: Over time, with thedecline of Jain and Buddhist influence, goddesses like Isakki became"re-appropriated" into the Hindu pantheon as village folk deities. Kamakshi Temple,Kanchipuram: It isbelieved by some Jains that the site of the famous Kamakshi temple inKanchipuram was originally a Jain temple dedicated to a Yakshini. The currentHindu temple was established at the site during the 14th century. Yakshis in othercontexts In addition to dedicated temples, Yakshi sculptures andmotifs are a part of temple architecture, representing ancient traditions ofnature worship. Yakshas and Yakshis are traditionally seen as nature spiritsassociated with fertility and prosperity. They are guardians of nature and were often incorporated intotemples as attendants of major deities. Panchikkadu Yakshi Yes, there is a shrine for a Yakshi near the PanachikkaduSaraswathi temple. The Yakshi idol is located in a natural habitat above theSaraswathi temple and is believed to be very powerful. In addition to theYakshi, the temple complex also has idols for other sub-deities, including aBrahmarakshas, Sastha, Ganapathi, and Nagaraja. Location: The Yakshiidol is situated in a natural, open-air habitat with exotic plants and flowers,located on the western side above the main Saraswathi temple. Significance: While Yakshi shrines exist in other temples,the one at Panachikkadu is said to have a particularly strong presence. Other Deities: The temple complex is also home to otherdeities, including a Brahmarakshas, Siva, Sastha, Ganapathi, Nagayakshi, andNagaraja. My note- I read elsewhere the Saraswathi idol could not beinstalled in Panachikkad(Near Kottayam) because of the Guardian Yakshi, andhence she too was installed near. Yakshi at Kaipuzha PandalamSrikrishna swamy temple (Pathanamthitta District)(mynative) Two interesting incidents about the yakshi. The first thing occurred in my college days. One hot daynight the temple watcher was sleeping under the banyan tree premises. It wasabout 11 PM. He was wake up by a voice- Go andsleep in the slab in the entrance of temple. After bath I will be drying myhair and loitering here. With little fear he went to temple. Hehad no courage to see the Yakshi. Second- It was in myschool days. My paternal cousin aunt was having their residence just behind the temple. One day by about 00.30 AM, she came out for nature’s call,Afterwards she just looked and found a very beautiful lady loitering spreading the lengthyhair between Yakshi temple and Banyan tree. She silently observed for minutes. I could hear she was telling about it to my mother describing her beautythe next day. Though my mother desired to see the Yakshi along with aunt, my father did not permit telling she has very weak body, surely faint and raise voice , consequences cannot be told. Information compiled from Wikipedia and google search and personalinformation. Gopalakrishnan 13-10-2025. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/916885160.1423562.1760327473584%40mail.yahoo.com.
