Give me names of all Tirthankar's Yaksh and Yakshini
Quick Answer
Each of the 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism is traditionally associated with specific Yakshas (male guardian deities) and Yakshinis (female guardian deities). These deities serve as attendants and protectors of the Tirthankaras.
Detailed Answer
Jain tradition assigns a unique pair of Yaksha and Yakshini to each of the 24 Tirthankaras of the current descending half-cycle (avasarpini). While the exact lists vary slightly between the Svetambara and Digambara sects, the general pattern is consistent. For example, Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) is associated with the Yaksha Gomukha and the Yakshini Chakreshvari, Neminatha with Dharanendra and Ambika, and Parshvanatha with Dharanendra and Padmavati. These guardian deities are often depicted near the Tirthankara idols in temples, symbolizing their protective and supportive roles.
The Yakshas and Yakshinis are considered Shasanadev and Shasanadevi, respectively, meaning they are the divine attendants who uphold and guard the teachings and images of the Tirthankaras. Their iconography and attributes reflect the spiritual qualities and symbols related to their respective Tirthankaras. The Yaksha and Yakshini figures also differ in number and identity in the two major Jain sects, with Digambaras including more Vidyadevis among the Yakshinis.
While a comprehensive list of all Yakshas and Yakshinis for all 24 Tirthankaras is detailed in specialized Jain iconographic texts, some well-known examples include:
- Rishabhanatha: Yaksha Gomukha, Yakshini Chakreshvari
- Neminatha: Yaksha Dharanendra, Yakshini Ambika
- Parshvanatha: Yaksha Dharanendra, Yakshini Padmavati
These guardian deities hold significant roles in Jain worship and temple art, symbolizing the divine protection extended to the Tirthankaras and their teachings.
Source References
This answer is generated by JainGPT and grounded in primary Jain scriptures, commentaries and scholarly texts from our digitised library. See the cited references below and our editorial standards.
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