Jainism
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Yakshinis are mythical beings of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. They 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.
Description
A yakshini is the female counterpart of the male yaksha, and they both attend on Kubera (also called Kuber), the Hindu god of wealth who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. They both look after treasure hidden in the earth and resemble that of fairies. Yakshinis are often depicted as beautiful and voluptuous, with wide hips, narrow waists, broad shoulders, and exaggerated, spherical breasts. In the Uddamareshvara Tantra, thirty-six yakshinis are described, including their mantras and ritual prescriptions. A similar list of yakshas and yakshinis is given in the Tantraraja Tantra, where it says that these beings are givers of whatever is desired. Although Yakshinis are usually benevolent, there are also yakshinis with malevolent characteristics in Indian folklore.
The list of thirty-six yakshinis given in the Uddamareshvara Tantra is as follows:
- Vichitra (The Lovely One)
- Vibhrama (Amorous One)
- Hamsi (Swan)
- Bhishani (Terrifying),
- Janaranjika (Delighting Men)
- Vishala (Large Eyed)
- Madana (Lustful)
- Ghanta (Bell)
- Kalakarni (Ears Adorned with Kalas)
- Mahabhaya (Greatly Fearful)
- Mahendri (Greatly Powerful)
- Shankhini (Conch Girl)
- Chandri (Moon Girl)
- Shmashana (Cremation Ground Girl)
- Vatayakshini, Mekhala (Love Girdle)
- Vikala, Lakshmi (Wealth)
- Malini (Flower Girl)
- Shatapatrika (100 Flowers)
- Sulochana (Lovely Eyed)
- Shobha
- Kapalini (Skull Girl)
- Varayakshini
- Nati (Actress)
- Kameshvari
- Unknown
- Unknown
- Manohara (Fascinating)
- Pramoda (Fragrant)
- Anuragini (Very Passionate)
- Nakhakeshi
- Bhamini
- Padmini
- Svarnavati
- Ratipriya (Fond of Love)
