yaksha

[ yok-shah ]

noun

, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism.

1. any of a class of nature spirits or deities who guard places or treasure: most are considered benevolent, but some are thought to be capricious, mischievous, or malicious.
2. a statue depicting such a spirit, often placed guarding another deity or flanking a temple gate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yaksha¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from Sanskrit yakṣa

Example Sentences

Art thou a female Yaksha, or a female Rakshasa, or a celestial damsel?

From Project Gutenberg

She helps to kill Bhishma in the great war, having changed her sex with a Yaksha.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Yaksha revealed himself in the form of Dharma, god of wisdom and justice, for behold!

From Project Gutenberg

Arjuna, being thus admonished, went forth on the tenth day with Sikhandin, born a woman and made a male by a Yaksha.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Bodhisattva looking at the Yaksha spoke to him mild words expressive of his adherence to the virtue of forbearance.

From Project Gutenberg