Sitting Jain Yashka and Yakshini

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Jains primarily worship idols of Arihants and Tirthankaras who have achieved inner triumph over the passions and attained a state of God-consciousness. Pairwise, Yaksha and Yakshini guardian deities are found surrounding Jina idols. Typically, Yaksha stands on the right-hand side of the Jina idol while Yakshini is on the left-hand side. Earlier, these supernatural beings were considered primarily as devoted followers of Jinas with extraordinary powers. They also wander through cycles of births and deaths just like worldly souls but possess supernatural powers. Over time, people began to worship these deities as well. Jainism provides clear foundational guidelines, leaving it up to each individual Jain to decide which idols to venerate and which to acknowledge. Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi Jains of the Svetambara and Taranpanthi Jains of the Digambaras do not believe in idol worship. Yaksha refers to a broad class of benevolent nature-spirits who serve as caretakers of treasures hidden within the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts. Yakshini is a mythical being from Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology, serving as the female counterpart of male Yaksha and attendees of Kubera, the Hindu god of wealth ruling over the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. Yakshinis are guardians of hidden treasures within the earth and resemble fairies. They 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 along with their mantras and ritual prescriptions. A similar list is given in Tantraraja Tantra, stating that these beings grant whatever is desired. Although Yakshinis are generally benevolent, some have malevolent characteristics in Indian folklore.