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Isakki or Isakkai is a Hindu Goddess of South India.

She is generically considered one of


the Village Goddesses, like Mri, the goddess of epidemics. She is commonly referred as
Isakki Amman (Tamil for "Mother"). She is related to goddess Nli and to certain female
deities known as Yakshi, in fact, the name Isakki apparently derives from the Sanskrit Yaksh.
The worship of this Goddess is common in the Kanyakumari,Tirunelveli and Salem districts
of Tamil Nadu.
She corresponds to the Jain Yakshi Ambika, who is always represented with one or two
children.[1][2]
Contents
[hide]

1 Shrines

2 Festivals

3 Iconography

4 Tradition

5 Kalliyankattu Neeli

6 Mangalathu Chiruthevi

7 References

8 See also

Shrines[edit]
Unlike the temples of the Vedic deities, Isakki Amman temples are usually humble shrines.
These are lined with a certain cactus-type euphorbiaceous plant known as Paalkallu in Tamil.
When broken, such cactuses ooze a milk-like sap, which is considered as a sign of goddess
Isakki.
Isakki temples also usually have a banyan or bo tree close to the shrine. Small wooden cribs
and pieces of women's saris are tied to the branches and aerial roots of the spreading tree.
These are vows made by village women who desire to have offspring.

Festivals[edit]
The worship of Isakki Amman includes popular festivals with cooking by the shrine and the
dedication of large terracotta figures of the goddess (3 to 4 ft in height) painted in garish

colors. Isakki shrines have many of these broken large figures of the goddess strewn close to
them in different states of ruin. These figures are sometimes smeared with a liquid made
from mixing lime (calcium hydroxide), water and turmeric and which ritually represents blood.
Apparently this liquid is a substitute for certain blood sacrifices that took place in the past.

Iconography[edit]
Isakki is portrayed according to the stories that are told about her by the priests of every
shrine. These priests are usually from communities, like the konar (yadavar), Nadar
(caste), Pallan and others This goddess is usually portrayed as a young woman wearing a
red dress. She is holding a child on one hand and a trident in the other. She is sometimes
represented as standing on a man that lies on the ground.

Tradition[edit]
Yakshi Ambika of Jain TirthankarNeminath

The most acknowledged story of Isakki goes as below:


Ambika, a housewife, was leading a peaceful family life with her husband Somasharman and
their two male children. One day the dutyful "dharpan" ritual had to be performed to the
ancestors of their family and all the items were duly prepared. However, while Somasharman
was away to take bath in the river, Ambika offered food to a starving sage who begged for it.
Suddenly Somasharman became enraged since the food prepared as offerings to ancestors
had been served to the sage before the necessary rites & pujas. Thus Ambika and her
children were chased away from home. Ambika wandered until she found a calm place.
Realising his foolishness later, Somasharman went in search of his wife and children. But
fearing him, Ambika gave up her life. After her unfortunate death, it is believed that she took
the form of "Yakshini" and that she still wanted to take care of her growing children. Later,
with the grace of God, she was able to regain her human life for the benefit of her offspring.
It is when Ambika took the Yakshini form and regained human life with the intention to serve
the family that she became Iyakki or Isakki.

Kalliyankattu Neeli[edit]
One of the most famous legendary stories of Yakshis in Kerala is that of Kalliyankattu Neeli,
a powerful demoness who was finally stopped by the legendary Christian
priest Kadamattathu Kathanar.

Mangalathu Chiruthevi[edit]

Another lesser known Yakshi is Mangalathu Chiruthevi also known as Kanjirottu Yakshi. She
was born into a Padamangalam Nair tharavad by name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode in South
Travancore. She was a ravishingly beautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with
Raman Thampi, son of King Rama Varma and rival of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.[3]
Mangalathu Chiruthevi was infatuated with one of her servants, Kunjuraman. Kunjuraman, a
Pondan Nair (palanquin-bearer), was a fair, tall, well-built and handsome young man. She
and her brother Govindan used to ride on Kunjuraman's back to nearby places. A predatory
sadist, Chiruthevi enjoyed torturing Kunjuraman physically and mentally. She did everything
possible to separate him from his wife.
In course of time, the unmarried Govindan and Kunjuraman became bosom friends. They
often shared the same room. Chiruthevi was not quite comfortable with the growing fondness
of her brother for her lover. But she did not act.
Chiruthevi hatched a plot and liquidated Kunjuraman's wife. Once Govindan was travelling on
Kunjuraman's back when the former revealed the details of the plot. Days later, Kunjuraman
strangled Chiruthevi to death when they were sharing a bed. Govindan winked at the crime
and protected his beloved friend.
Chiruthevi was reborn as a vengeful Yakshi to a couple at Kanjiracode. She grew into a
bewitching beauty within moments of her birth. Though she seduced many men and drank
their blood, her heart was set on the handsome Kunjuraman. She told him that she was
willing to pardon him if he married her. Kunjuraman flatly refused. The Yakshi channelised all
her energies in tormenting him. Devastated, Kunjuraman sought the assistance of
Mangalathu Govindan, who was a great upasaka of LordBalarama. Govindan was for a
compromise. He said that the Yakshi could have Kunjuraman for a year provided she
conformed to three conditions. One, she must agree to be installed at a temple after one
year. Two, after many years the temple will be destroyed and she must then seek refuge in
(saranagati) Lord Narasimha for attaining moksham. Three, she must pray for Govindan and
his relationship with Kunjuraman not only in their current birth but also in their subsequent
births. The Yakshi swore upon 'ponnum vilakkum' that she would abide by all the three
conditions. Thus the compromise formula worked.[4]
A year later, the Yakshi was installed at a Temple which later came to be owned by
Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu.[5] The Temple does not exist anymore.
Sundara Lakshmi, an accomplished dancer and consort of HH Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma,
was an ardent devotee of Kanjirottu Yakshi Amma.
After taking refuge in Lord Narasimha of Thekkedom, the Yakshi is now believed to be
residing in Kallara B of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.[6] The enchanting and ferocious
forms of this Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of Sri Padmanabha's shrine.

A tree deity or tree spirit is a nature deity related to a tree. Such deities are present in many
cultures. They are usually represented as a young woman, often connected to
ancient fertility and tree worship lore.[1] The status of tree deities varies from that of a
local fairy, ghost, sprite or nymph, to that of a goddess.[2]
Contents
[hide]

1 Examples of tree deities

2 List of tree deities

3 Gallery

4 See also

5 References

Examples of tree deities[edit]


The Yakshis or Yakshinis (Sanskrit: ), mythical maiden deities of Hindu, Buddhist,
and Jain mythology are closely associated with trees, especially the ashoka tree and the sal
tree. Although these tree deities are usually benevolent, there are also yakshinis with
malevolent characteristics in Indian folklore.[3]
Panaiveriyamman, named after panai, the Tamil name for the Palmyra palm, is an ancient
fertility deity linked to this palm that is so important in Tamil culture. This deity is also known
as Taalavaasini, a name that further relates her to all types of palm trees. Some other Tamil
tree deities are related to ancient agricultural deities, such as Puliyidaivalaiyamman, the deity
of the tamarind tree, and Kadambariyamman, associated with the kadamba tree. These were
seen as manifestations of a goddess who offers her blessings by giving fruits in abundance. [4]
In Thailand the village ghosts or fairies related to trees such as Nang Takian and Nang
Tani are known generically as Nang Mai ().[5] There are also other tree ghosts that are
male.

Tree deities were common in ancient Northern European lore. In Charlemagne's time,
following the Capitulatio de partibus Saxione in 782 offerings to sacred trees or any other
form of worship of the spirits of trees and springs were outlawed. Even as late as 1227 the
Synod of Trier decreed that the worship of trees and sources was forbidden.[6]

Yakshini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Yakshi)

"Yakshi" redirects here. For the 1967 Malayalam novel, see Yakshi (novel). For the 1968 film
based on the novel of the same name, see Yakshi (film).
Yakshini 3rd century B.C. Patna Museum, Patna

Yakshini (Sanskrit: , also known as Yakshi and Yakkhini in Pali) are mythical beings
of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology. Yakshini (Yakshi) is the female counterpart of the
male Yaksha, and they are attendees of Kubera, the Hindu god of wealth who rules in the
mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. They are the guardians of the treasure hidden in
the earth and resemble that of fairy. Yakshinis are often depicted as beautiful and
voluptuous, with wide hips, narrow waists, broad shoulders, and exaggerated, spherical
breasts. In Uddamareshvara Tantra, thirty-six Yakshinis are described, including
their mantras and ritualprescriptions. A similar list of Yakshas and Yakshinis are 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.[1]
Contents
[hide]

1 36 Yakshinis

2 Early figures

3 Yakshis in Jainism

4 Yakshis modern literature


o

4.1 Kalliyankattu Neeli

4.2 Mangalathu Chiruthevi

5 In popular culture

6 See also

7 References

8 External links

36 Yakshinis[edit]
The list of thirty six yakshinis given in the Uddamareshvara Tantra is as follows:

A Yakshini. 10th century,Mathura, India. Guimet Museum.

1. Vichitra (The Lovely One): She bestows all desires.


2. Vibhrama (Amorous One)
3. Hamsi (The one with Swan): She reveals the whereabouts of buried treasure, and
grants an unguent with which one may see through solid objects.
4. Bhishani (The Terrifying): The ritual is to be performed at the junction of 3 paths. The
mantra is to be recited 10,000 times. Camphor and ghee are to be used as the
offering. Om Aim Drim Mahamode Bhishani Dram Dram Svaha.
5. Janaranjika (Delighting Men): She gives great good fortune and happiness.
6. Vishala (Large Eyed): She gives the alchemical elixir.
7. Madana (Lustful): She gives a cure-all pill.
8. Ghanta (Bell): She gives the ability to enchant the world.
9. Kalakarni (Ears Adorned with Kalas):
10.Mahabhaya (Greatly Fearful): Protection from disease. She gives freedom from fear
and the secret of alchemy, also freeing one from grey hair and signs of old age.
11.Mahendri (Greatly Powerful): Gives the person the ability to fly and go anywhere.One
obtains Patala Siddhi.

12.Shankhini (Conch Girl ): Fulfilment of any desire.


13.Chandri (Moon Girl):
14.Shmashana (Cremation Ground Girl ): She gives treasure, destroys obstacles, and
one is able to paralyse folk with a mere glance.
15.Vatayakshini: She also gives a divine and magical unguent.
16.Mekhala (Love Girdle):
17.Vikala: She yields the desired fruit.
18.Lakshmi (Wealth): She gives Lakshmi Siddhi, the secrets of alchemy, and heavenly
treasure.
19.Malini (Flower Girl ): She gives Khadga Siddhi, which means being able to stop any
weapon.
20.Shatapatrika (100 Flowers ):
21.Sulochana (Lovely Eyed): She gives Paduka Siddhi, enabling one to travel at great
speed through the aethers.
22.Shobha: The Devi gives the power of full enjoyment and the appearance of great
beauty.
23.Kapalini (Skull Girl): She gives Kapala Siddhi. She gives the power to go anywhere in
the aethers in one's sleep, and also to go to any great distance away.
24.Varayakshini:
25.Nati (Actress): The Nati gives hidden treasure, an alchemical unguent, and the power
of mantra yoga.
26.Kameshvari:
27.The text states these have already been described.
28.The text states these have already been described.

29.Manohara (Fascinating):
30.Pramoda (Fragrant):
31.Anuragini (Very Passionate):
32.Nakhakeshi:
33.Bhamini:
34.Padmini is said to be included in (35) below.
35.Svarnavati: She gives Anjana Siddhi.
36.Ratipriya (Fond of Love):[2]

Early figures[edit]

Yakshi under a flowering asoka tree. Shunga, 2nd-1st century BC, India

The three sites of Bharhut, Sanchi, and Mathura, have yielded huge numbers of Yakshi
figures, most commonly on the railing pillars of stupas. These show a clear development and
progression that establishes certain characteristics of the Yakshi figure such as her nudity,
smiling face and evident (often exaggerated) feminine charms that lead to their association
with fertility. The yakshi is usually shown with her hand touching a tree branch, and a sinuous
pose, Sanskrit tribhanga, thus some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of the tree is
based on an ancient tree deity.[3]
The ashoka tree is closely associated with the Yakshini mythological beings. One of the
recurring elements in Indian art, often found at gates of Buddhist and Hindu temples, is a
Yakshi with her foot on the trunk and her hands holding the branch of a stylized flowering
ashoka or, less frequently, other tree with flowers or fruits. As an artistic element, often the
tree and the Yakshi are subject to heavy stylization.
Some authors hold that the young girl at the foot of the tree is based on an ancient fertility
symbol of the Indian Subcontinent.[3] Yakshis were important in early Buddhist monuments as
a decorative element and are found in many ancient Buddhist archaeological sites. They
became Salabhanjikas (sal tree maidens) with the passing of the centuries, a standard
decorative element of both Indian sculpture and Indian temple architecture.[4]

The sal tree (Shorea robusta) is often confused with the ashoka tree (Saraca indica) in the
ancient literature of the Indian Subcontinent.[5] The position of the Salabhanjika is also related
to the position of Queen My of Sakya when she gave birth to Gautama Buddha under an
asoka tree in a garden in Lumbini, while grasping its branch.[4]

Yakshis in Jainism[edit]

An image of Jain goddessAmbika in Cave 34 of the Ellora Caves

In Jainism, there are twenty-four yakshis, including Chakreshvari, Ambika, and Padmavati,
who are frequently represented in Jain temples.[6] The names according to Tiloyapannatti (or
Pratishthasarasangraha) and Abhidhanachintamani are:

Chakreshvari

Rohini, Ajitbala

Prajnapti, Duritari

Vajrashrankhala, Kali

Vajrankusha, Mahakali

Manovega, Shyama

Kali, Shanta

Jwalamalini, Bhrikuti

Mahakali, Sutaraka

Manavi, Ashoka

Gauri, Manavi

Gandhari, Chanda

Vairoti, Vidita

Anantamati, Ankusha

Manasi, Kandarpa

Mahamansi, Nirvani

Jaya, Bala

Taradevi, Dharini

Vijaya, Dharanpriya

Aparajita, Nardatta

Bahurupini, Gandhari

Ambika or Kushmandini

Padmavati

Siddhayika

Yakshis modern literature[edit]


In the horror fictions in South India, especially in Malayalam literature, Yakshis are mostly not
considered benevolent. They are portrayed as alluring men and finally killing them. The
following are the prominent fiction characters in

Kalliyankattu Neeli[edit]
One of the most famous legendary stories of Yakshis in Kerala is that of Kalliyankattu Neeli,
a powerful demoness who was finally stopped by the legendary Christian
priest Kadamattathu Kathanar. The Yakshi theme is the subject of popular Kerala tales, like
the legend of the Yakshi of Trivandrum, as well as of certain movies in modern Malayalam
cinema.

Mangalathu Chiruthevi[edit]
Another lesser known Yakshi is Mangalathu Chiruthevi also known as Kanjirottu Yakshi. She
was born into a Padamangalam Nair tharavad by name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode in South
Travancore. She was a ravishingly beautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with
Raman Thampi, son of King Rama Varma and rival of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.[7]

Mangalathu Chiruthevi was infatuated with one of her servants, Kunjuraman. Kunjuraman, a
Pondan Nair (palanquin-bearer), was a fair, tall, well-built and handsome young man. She
and her brother Govindan used to ride on Kunjuraman's back to nearby places. A predatory
sadist, Chiruthevi enjoyed torturing Kunjuraman physically and mentally. She did everything
possible to separate him from his wife.
In course of time, the unmarried Govindan and Kunjuraman became bosom friends. They
often shared the same room. Chiruthevi was not quite comfortable with the growing fondness
of her brother for her lover. But she did not act.
Chiruthevi hatched a plot and liquidated Kunjuraman's wife. Once Govindan was travelling on
Kunjuraman's back when the former revealed the details of the plot. Days later, Kunjuraman
strangled Chiruthevi to death when they were sharing a bed. Govindan winked at the crime
and protected his beloved friend.
Chiruthevi was reborn as a vengeful Yakshi to a couple at Kanjiracode. She grew into a
bewitching beauty within moments of her birth. Though she seduced many men and drank
their blood, her heart was set on the handsome Kunjuraman. She told him that she was
willing to pardon him if he married her. Kunjuraman flatly refused. The Yakshi channelised all
her energies in tormenting him. Devastated, Kunjuraman sought the assistance of
Mangalathu Govindan, who was a great upasaka of LordBalarama. Govindan was for a
compromise. He said that the Yakshi could have Kunjuraman for a year provided she
conformed to three conditions. One, she must agree to be installed at a temple after one
year. Two, after many years the temple will be destroyed and she must then seek refuge in
(saranagati) Lord Narasimha for attaining moksham. Three, she must pray for Govindan and
his relationship with Kunjuraman not only in their current birth but also in their subsequent
births. The Yakshi swore upon 'ponnum vilakkum' that she would abide by all the three
conditions. Thus the compromise formula worked.[8]
A year later, the Yakshi was installed at a Temple which later came to be owned by
Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu.[8] The Temple does not exist anymore.
Sundara Lakshmi, an accomplished dancer and consort of HH Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma,
was an ardent devotee of Kanjirottu Yakshi Amma.
After taking refuge in Lord Narasimha of Thekkedom, the Yakshi is now believed to be
residing in Kallara B of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.[9] The enchanting and ferocious
forms of this Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of Sri Padmanabha's shrine.

Reserve Bank of Indiaheadquarters, Delhi entrance with a Yakshini sculpture(c. 1960) depicting
"Prosperity through agriculture".[10]

In popular culture[edit]
In Christopher Pikes novel The Last Vampire, a Yakshini is an extremely powerful and
evil demon that led to the creation of the vampires around 3000 B.C. in what is now presentday Rajasthan, India. A yakshini was summoned by an Aghoran priest so that it could devour
a rakshasa that was causing a plague. The Yakshini was summoned into the corpse of a
recently deceased woman who had been pregnant. It took control of the womans body,
horribly maimed and killed the priest, and then appeared to disappear. The Yakshini in fact
transferred itself into the baby in the dead woman's womb which then begins to show signs
of life. The child is freed from the dead woman's womb and grows up as an Aryan boy who is
the first vampire.
In the Megami Tensei video game series, Yakshini is one of many demons which can be
fought and summoned.

See also[edit]

Apsara

Ashoka tree

Fairy

Houri

Isakki

List of tree deities

Nymph

Salabhanjika

Sitala

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