Jina Sashana Devtas - Yaksha & Jakshi

 

Jina Shasana Devatas

(Demi gods and godesses of Jains)

Jina Dharma flowed as Divyadwani from the face of the Thirthankara  enshrined in the Samavasaran. Thirthankara Bagawan's primary desciples, the Ganadharas gave unto Acharyas the Agamas as propounded by the Thirthankara and Acharyas rendered them in scriptural form for the benefit of the future generations to come. Thus such Agamas are "Shasanas". Shasana Devatas worshipped and rendered services to the Thirthankaras at the Samavasaran and on Moksha of the Thirthankaras continue to serve Jina Dharma and its followers.

Images and descriptions for each of the 24 pairs of Shasana Devatas. Sasana Devatas are also called Yakshas and Yakshis. 

Sashana Devtas of  Sri Adinatha Tirthankara

Gomuka Yaksha & Chakreswari Devi

Gomukan (Rishaba Yakshan): The first yaksha has the head of an ox. His color is white as moon beam. He has four hands. Right hands show the weapon "Mazhu" and "Varamudhra". On the left hands he holds "Japa mala" and a fruit. His vahana (icon of transport) is a bull. He wears a high crown over which "Dharmachakra" is found.

Chakreshwari : As she hold numerous "chakra" weapons, she is called Chakreshwari. She comes to the aid of those who hold on to the truth and Jain principles. Acharya Vasunandi's Pradishtasara Sangrah describes her as one with twelve hands. Eight of which hold chakra weapons, two hands hold the vajrayuda and one of the other two hands hold a Pomegranate fruit and the other hand shows Vara mudhra. Chakra weapons signify countless powers and vajra weapons signify limitless willpower. Vara mudhra signifies benevolence and the fruit denotes benefits bestowed. Her vahana (icon of transport) is Garuda (Eagle).

Bagawan Sri Ajita Nath's

Sashana Devatas - Maha Yakshan & Rohini Yakshi

Maha Yakshan: "Prathistacharothram" mentions his body color as golden. He has four heads and eight arms. The transport icon is elephant. In the right hands he carries sword, baton, axe and varamudhra (benevolent posture). In the right hands he carries chakra, trident, angusa and a lotus flower.

Rohini (Ajita) : She is golden colored, carries conch, red colored weapons and is seated on an iron throne. She is also called Logasana and Ajita indicating strength and invincibility.

Bagawan Sri Sambava Nath Swamy's
Sashana Devatas - Trimukha Yaksha & Pragjapthi Yakshi

 

Trimukhan: He has three heads and six arms. The transport icon is peacock. In his hands he carries weapons viz. chakra, sword, trident, baton, angusa, etc. He is personified as one who helps in keeping the mind alert and in achieving victories.

Pragjapthi : Pragja is consciousness. She helps those who strive to get immersed in the consciousness of the self soul. Her colour is black and rides on a peacock.

Bagawan Sri Abinandana Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Yaksheswaran & Vajrashrunkala

Yaksheswaran: He has four hands. The transport icon is elephant. In his hands he carries weapons viz. a bow with an arrow and a sword with shield. He is personified as one who helps in providing authority and leadership qualities.

Vajrashrukala : Literal meaning of the name is one who wears chains of diamond. The significance being strength of the diamond. She is believed to help those who undertake self disciplince of the soul.

Bagawan Sri Sumathi Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Thumburu & Prushadatta

    Thumburu: Prathistachara Sangragam places him at high esteem with great wealth. He holds serpents in two hands and a fruit and varamudhra in other two hands. His transport icon is Garuda and wears a serpanet as sacret thread across the body.

Purushadatta : "Devi Purushadatta, you are four handed. You drive on Gajendra, lord of the elephants. Fair coloured devi, you hold vajrayuda, chakrayuda and a fruit in your hands. You bestow boons on worshippers. 

Bagawan Sri Padma Prabha Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Pushyan & Manovegi

Pushyan: Pushya Yaksha is described as one of  brown colour and softer nature. He rides on a deer. He carries a spear and a shield in his upper arms. The lower arms show "abhaya mudhra" (refuge) and "vara mudhra" (boon).

Manovegi : "Devi Manovegi rides on a horse and moves at the speed of mind. She carries a dagger, a shield and fruit in her three of the four hands. The fourth hand shows "vara mudhra".

Bagawan Sri Suparswa Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Madangan & Kali

Madangan: The image of Madanga Yaksha is notable as he is seen carrying the main Jaina symbol "swastika". He rides on a lion and also carries carries a flag, a baton and a trishul. He is dark coloured. Being seated on a lion he projects an image of strength and swastika and the flag denote benevolence towards worshippers.

Kali : She rides on a white bull. She has a trishul, a small bell, a fruit and varamudhra in her four hands. She is worshipped for the victory over enemies. The white bull symbolises peace and the small bell symbolises protection to worshippers.

Bagawan Sri Chandra Prabha Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Shyama Yakshan & Jwalamalini 

Shyama Yakshan: Shyama Yaksha has a third eye on his forehead. He carries an axe, "aksha sutra", fruit and vara mudhra in his hands. He is brown coloured. He is depicted seated variably either on a piegeon or a parrot.

Jwalamalini : Jwalamalini means 'one wears a garland of bright flame'. Jwalamalini is one of the most popular Yakshis. She is associated with the powers of mantras and yantras. She carries a chakra, trishul, pennant with fish ensign, bow and arrow, 'pasa' rope, fruit and vara mudhra. She wears a crown with burning flames. Jain scriptures narrate that she attained such an exalted position by fasting on Fridays of the Tamil month 'Aadi' (Ashada ? of North Indian calendars). In South India Jain women take her example and undertake fasting on the Fridays of Tamil month "Aadi'.

Bagawan Sri Pushpadanta Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Ajita Yakshan & Mahakali Yakshi

Ajita Yakshan: Ajita means invincible. He is white coloured. He carries sathi weapon, aksha beads, fruit and vara mudhra in his hands. He is depicted seated on a tortoise.

Mahakali : She is mentioned as beautiful. She is seen seated on a tortoise with a vajra weapon, mace, fruit and vara mudhra in her hands. She is believed to grant victories.

Bagawan Sri Sheetala Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Brahma Yakshan & Manavi Yakshi

Brahma Yakshan: Jain scriptures mention him as one who grants knowledge and wisdom. He is depicted seated on a lotus. He is white coloured. He is four headed and carries bow and arrow, baton, shield, vajrayuda, axe, sword and vara mudhra in his hands.

Mahakali : She is green coloured and is seated on a black boar. mentioned as beautiful. She carries aksha beads, pennant with fish ensign, fruit and vara mudhra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Sreyamsa Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Iswaran and Gowri

Ishwara Yakshan: Jain scriptures mention him as one who is seated on a white bull. He has a third eye on the forehead. He carries trishul, aksha beads, batron and a fruit in his hands.

Gowri : She is golden coloured and is seated on a deer. She carries lotus flower, mace, mangal kalas (auspicious pot), and vara mudhra in her hands.She is praised as devoutee of Jina Sasana and as one who grants boons.

Bagawan Sri Vasupoojya Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Kumaran & Gandhari

Kumara Yakshan: He has three heads and six arms. He carries a mangoose, fruit, mace, bow, arrow, a fruit and vara mudhra in his hands.

Gandhari : She is green coloured and full of wisdom. She is seated on a crocodile. She carries lotus flower, mace, and vara mudhra in her hands.She is also called Vidyunmalini.

Bagawan Sri Vimala Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Chaturmuga Yakshan & Vairodi Yakshi

Chaturmuga Yakshan: He has four heads and eight arms. According to some Jaina scriptures on iconography and worship, he has four heads and twelve arms. He carries eight axes, an akshaya bead string, mace, sword and a shield. He is green coloured with charming faces. He is seated on a peacock.

Vairodi : She is green coloured.She is seated over a hooded serpent. She carries serpents, bow and arrow in her four hands. 

Bagawan Sri Anantha Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Pathala Yakshan & Anantha Yakshi

Pathala Yakshan: He has three faces and six arms. He is blood red in colour. He is seated over a hooded serpent. He carries angusam, trishul, bow, pasa rope, plough and a fruit in his hands.

Ananthamathii : She is golden coloured and rides over a swan. She holds fruit, vara mudhra, bow and arrow in her four hands.

Bagawan Sri Dharma Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Kinnara Yakshan & Manasi Devi

Kinnara Yakshan: He has three faces and six arms. Prathistasara Sangraham states that he continuously studies Jina Dharma. He is coral red in colour. His transport icon is a large fish. He holds chakra, vajrayudha, angusa, baton, prayer beads and vara mudhra in his hands.

Manasi : She is radiant and coral red coloured. She rides over a tiger. She holds lotus flower, fruit, vara mudhra, angusa, bow and arrow in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Shanti Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Garuda Yakshan & Maha Manasi Devi

Garuda Yakshan: He is black in colour. His transport icon is a pig. He holds chakra, vajrayudha, fruit and vara mudhra in his hands.

Maha Manasi : She is golden coloured and provides happiness. She rides over a peacock. She holds fruit, vara mudhra, vajrayudha and chakra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Kunthu Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Gandharva Yakshan & Jaya Devi

Gandharva Yakshan: He is birdlike and brown in colour. His transport icon is a peacock. He holds a snake, pasa rope, bow and arrow in his hands.

Jaya Devi: She is golden coloured and rides over a dark pig. She holds a conch, sword, chakra and vara mudhra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Ara Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Kendra Devan & Tharavathy Devi 

Kendra Devan: He is brown in colour. His transport icon is a conch. He holds bow, arrow, thunder, pasa rope, baton, angusa, varamudhra, fruit and bean string. He has six faces.

Tharavathi Devi: She is golden coloured and rides on a swan. She holds a snake, vajrayuda, deer and varamudhra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Malli Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Gubera Yakshan & Aparajitha Devi 

Gubera Yakshan: He is multi coloured as a rainbow. His transport icon is elephant. He holds a shield, bow, sword, spear, battle axe, pasa rope and varamudhra in his hands. He has four faces. He is the lord of wealth. He is different from his name- sake Gubera Dikbalaka.

Aparajitha Devi: She is green coloured and rides on a lion. She is invincible and is the deity for victories. She holds a sword and a shield, fruit and varamudhra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Munisuvratha Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Varuna Yakshan & Bahurupini Yakshi

Varuna Yakshan: He is white coloured.. His transport icon is a white ox. He is eight headed and has a third eye in each one of his heads. In this four hands he holds a shield, sword, fruit and varamudhra.He is heavily built and wears his hair like a crown ("Jada Magudam"). His third eye denotes wisdom and the white ox he rides denotes learning and dharma dhayan. He is different from his name- sake Varuna Dikbalaka.

Bahurupini Yakshi: She is golden coloured and is seated on a black cobra. She is the deity for Bahurupini Tantra by which "out of body experiences" are achieved. She holds a sword, a shield, fruit and varamudhra in her hands.

Bagawan Sri Nami Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Bruhudi Yakshan & Chamundi Yakshi

Bruhudi Yakshan: He is green coloured.. His transport icon is a white ox. He is four headed. In his eight hands he holds a shield, sword, bow, arrow, lotus flower, chakra, angusa and varamudhra.

Chamundi Yakshi: She is green coloured and rides on a Magara fish. She carries prayer beads, baton, sword and a shield in her hands. She is a deity of valour.

Bagawan Sri Nemi Nath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Sarvanna Yakshan & Kushmandini Yakshi

Sarvanna Yakshan: He is three headed with six hands. His transport icon is a man. He holds a hammer, axe, baton, fruit, vajrayudha and varamudhra in his hands. He is also called "Naravahana" and "Pushapayana".

Kushamandini Yakshi: She is green coloured. She is also known by the names of Amra and Ambika. She rides on a lion. She carries bunch of mangoes in her hands and children in her lap. However, in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, while sculpting her image, she is depicted holding a flower in her hand, with her friend standing nearby and with her children of previous human birth. She attained the meritorious karma of serving Bagawan Nemi Nath in His samavasaran by way of offering aharadhan to a Jain monk. She is also called Dharma Devi. 

Bagawan Sri Parswanath Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Dharanendra Yaksha & Padmavathi Yakshi

Dharanendra Yaksha and Padmavathi Yakshi have special place among Jain devoutees. They attained the status of devas as they were initiated to the Pancha Namaskar Maha Mantra by Bagawan Sri Parswanatha himself at the time of their death. Out of their deep devoution to Bagawan Parswanath, they rose from their sub-terranean world when Kamada created hindrances when Parswanatha was meditating as a monk. While Dharanendra covered Parswanatha with his multiple serpent hoods, Padmavathi provided cover by holding a diamond (vajra) umbrella. This pair of yaksha and yakshi are worshipped as they are believed to provide wealth and happiness to Jain devoutees. Padmavathi is also called Dharmavatsala.

Dharanendra Yakshan: He is brown coloured and his transport icon is a tortoise. He holds serpents, pasa rope and varamudhra in his hands. Vasuki snake covers his crown and rules over snakes as "Nagaraja". While sculting along with Sri Parswanatha, he is depicted as a hooded serpent over Bagawan's head or as holding "chamara" fans over the Thirthankara image.

Padmavathi Yakshi: She is fair coloured with four hands. Seated over a lotus she holds Pasa rope and Angusa. She has a hooded snake over her head. Her transport icon is a cock with serpent head. Devoutees undertake fasting in her name. Shie is also worshipped in Chakra form.

 

Bagawan Sri Mahavira Swamy's

Sashana Devatas - Madanga Yaksha & Siddhayika Yakshi

Madanga Yakshan: He is golden coloured and rides on an elephant. He holds a pomegranate fruit and varamudhra in his hands. He carried "Dharma Chakra" over his head.

Siddhayika Yakshi: She is golden coloured.She rides on a lion. She holds a scripture and varamudhra in her hands. She grants boundless knowledge.

Picture Credit: Tamil book titled, 'Jaina Samaya Thiruvvuvangal' by Poosai Sa. Aruna Vasanthan. Web Design: M.D. Rajendran (from archived site geocities.com/tamiljain/jaincons 2003)