Yaksha

A **Yaksha** or **yakshini** (female) is a supernatural being from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. Yakshas are attendees of Kubera, the Hindu god of wealth, who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka.

## General

### Affiliation

The OtherworldHindu Mythology

Jain Mythology

Buddhist Mythology

## Biological Description

### Appearance

Fearsome warriors or as portly, stout and dwarf-like (male yakshas)Beautiful young women with happy round faces and full breasts and hips (female yakshinis)

Frost tendrils for hair and a fair skin (Iris)

Living vines in her hair and lime green wings (random yakshini)

## Other

### Known Characters

IrisYaksha store owner at the Night Bazaar

Yakshas and yakshinis at the Mall of Meditation Groves

## History

### In Hinduism

In Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology, Kubera the god of wealth and prosperity is considered the king of the semi-divine yakshas. He is regarded as the regent of the North (Dikpāla), and a protector of the world (Lokapāla).

His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species and the owner of the treasures of the world. His plump body denotes his identification as a yaksha.

### In Buddhism

In Buddhist literature, the *yakṣa* are the attendants of Vaiśravaṇa, the guardian of the northern quarter, a beneficent god who protects the righteous. The term also refers to the Twelve Heavenly Generals who guard *Bhaiṣajyaguru*, the Medicine Buddha.

### In Jainism

Jains mainly maintain cult images of Arihants and Tirthankaras, who have conquered the inner passions and attained moksha. *Yakshas* and *yakshinis* are found in pair around the cult images of Jinas, serving as guardian deities. The *yaksha* is generally on the right-hand side of the Jina image while the *yakshini* is on the left-hand side. They are regarded mainly as devotees of the Jina, and have supernatural powers. They are also wandering through the cycles of births and deaths just like the worldly souls, but have supernatural powers.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

When Aru and Mini were dealing with the Heartless zombies in the Night Bazaar a yaksha store owner hollered at them after a bowl of glass beads spilled its contents saying that they would pay for it and they won't get the Saturday discount either.

In the Department of Many Voices, when Aru, Aiden and Brynne were looking for Durvasa they met a yakshini intern named Iris that didn't let them talk to the sage saying they had to wait three centuries. Aiden used his smolder power on the yakshini in order to get them to steal a green ticket so they could meet Durvasa that would help them to get Mini out of the Land of Sleep.

At the Mall of Meditation Groves there were a crowd of yakshas and yakshinis offering Aru and the group things like meditating in the wilds of India. One yaksha gives them information of how to go to the Swamp of New Jersey.

## Physical Appearence

In early Indian art, male *yakṣhas* are portrayed either as fearsome warriors or as portly, stout and dwarf-like. Female *yakṣhas*, known as *yakshinis*, are portrayed as beautiful young women with happy round faces and full breasts and hips.

Iris, one yakshini intern at the Department of Many Voices had frost tendrils for hair and a fair skin. Another yakshini at the Mall of Meditation Grove had living vines in her hair and lime green wings.

## Notable Yakshas/Yakshinis

* Iris (Yakshini)
* Yaksha store owner at the Night Bazaar
* Yakshas and yakshinis at the Mall of Meditation Groves