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The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c22.s9: 9. Lords of the Yakṣas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas and Vidyādharas

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c22.s9

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9. Lords of the Yakṣas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas and Vidyādharas

c22.s9.1

In the Dharmadhātuvāgīśvara Maṇḍala eight Lords of Yakṣas are described briefly. This list of Yakṣa kings is important as it is not found elsewhere ; it is not possible also to individualize them in their forms. The Yakṣas are a semi-mythical class of beings who are supposed to preside over treasures and shower wealth on mankind when propitiated. Kubera is said to be the greatest among the Yakṣas, who according to the Hindus, lives in the North along with the Yakṣa hordes. The name of his capital is said to be Alakāpuri adjacent to Mount Kailāsa in the Himalayan region.

(I) Yakṣa Kings

c22.s9.t1.1

The names of the eight Yakṣa kings are :

c22.s9.t1.2

1. Pūrṇabhadra
2. Māṇibhadra
3. Dhanada
4. Vaiśravaṇa
5. Civikuṇḍalī
6. Kelimālī
7. Sukhendra
8. Calendra

c22.s9.t1.3

They are all collectively described in the Maṇḍala in one brief sentence :

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“Pūrṇabhadrādayo Yakṣādhipāḥ bījapūraphala-nakulabhṛt-savyetarakarāḥ”.
NSP, p. 63

c22.s9.t1.5

“The Yakṣa kings beginning with Pūrṇabhadra hold in their hands the Bījapūra (citron) and the Nakula (mongoose) in the right and left hands respectively”.

c22.s9.t1.6

In colour they differ. Pūrṇabhadra is blue, Māṇibhadra is yellow, Dhanada is red, Vaiśravaṇa is yellow, Civikuṇḍalī is red, Kelimālī is green, Sukhendra and Calendra are yellow.

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The citron and the mongoose are the natural symbols of Jambhala the Buddhist god of wealth, and as such, he is of the Yakṣa group.

c22.s9.t1.8

Except Jambhala these Yakṣas are rarely represented. In the Chinese collection there are two illustrations one under the title of Yakṣadeva and another under Yakṣa Pūrṇabhadra ¹. They refer evidently to this group of deities. Besides them there is a series of statuettes which are designated with the general title of Mahāyakṣasenādhipatis. They carry the citron and the mongoose.

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¹ Clark : TLP, II, pp. 102, 313

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Allied to the Yakṣas are the Kinnaras, Gandharvas, and Vidyādharas. They are all semi-mythical beings next to gods, who have power to confer benefit when propitiated. Some information about their kings is found in the Dharmadhātuvāgīśvara Maṇḍala of the Niṣpannayogāvalī. Their forms are described below in the order in which it is found.

(II) Kinnara King

c22.s9.t2.1

The Kinnara king is not named here but his form is given in the following words :

c22.s9.t2.2

“Kinnararājendro raktagauro vīṇāvādanaparaḥ”
NSP, p. 63

c22.s9.t2.3

“The Kinnara king is reddish white in colour and is engaged in playing on the musical instrument called the Vīṇā”.

(III) Gandharva King

c22.s9.t3.1

The Gandharva king is known by the name of Pañcaśikha and his form is described as follows :

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“Pañcaśikho Gandharvarājendraḥ pīto vīṇāṃ vādayati”. NSP, p. 63

c22.s9.t3.3

“Pañcaśikha the king of the Gandharvas is yellow in colour and he plays on the Vīṇā instrument”.

(IV) Vidyādhara King

c22.s9.t4.1

The king of the Vidyādharas is named as Sarvārthasiddha and his form is described as below :

c22.s9.t4.2

“Sarvārthasiddho Vidyādhararājendro gauraḥ kusumamālāhastaḥ”. NSP, p. 63

c22.s9.t4.3

“Sarvārthasiddha the king of the Vidyādharas is white in colour and holds in his two hands the garland of flowers”.

Cites (1)