Yaksha
/ˈjækʃə/noun
In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, a nature spirit or supernatural being often associated with trees, forests, fertility, and hidden treasure.
Did you know?Ancient Yaksha figures were not simply demons: some were powerful guardians of wealth, including Kubera, the Yaksha king and deity of riches.
Etymological Timeline
Early 1st millennium BCE
Sanskrit
yakṣa
“A supernatural or marvelous being; later, a nature spirit associated with fertility, trees, and treasure.”
Ancient India
Sanskrit
yakṣa
“A class of powerful spirits incorporated into Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious traditions.”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Prakrit
yakkha
“A local or guardian spirit, represented in religious art and inscriptions.”
1st millennium CE
Pali
yakkha
“A spirit or supernatural being, sometimes benevolent and sometimes dangerous.”
19th Century
English
yaksha
“A transliterated term adopted by English-language scholarship for the Indian nature spirit.”
Modern English
English
yaksha
“A nature spirit or guardian figure in South Asian religious and mythological traditions.”