yaksha

American  

[yok-shah] / ˈyɒkˌʃɑ /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of yaksha

First recorded in 1780–90; from Sanskrit yakṣa

Example Sentences

Mythologically speaking, the yech is the descendant of the classical Hindu yaksha, usually described as an inoffensive, harmless sprite, but also as a malignant imp.

From Tales of the Punjab by Steel, Flora Annie

In the foreground, emerging from the earth are two crowned figures—Nala and Kuvara, the sons of the yaksha king, Kubera, who, as a consequence of a curse had been turned into the two trees.

From The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry by Archer, W. G.

One night Krishna and Balarama are in the forest with the cowgirls when a yaksha demon, Sankhasura, a jewel flashing in his head, comes among them.

From The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry by Archer, W. G.