Yaksha (Sanskrit, also Yaksa; Pāli: Yakkha, Chinese and Japanese: 夜叉, Pin Yin ye4 cha1, J. yasha) originally from Hindu mythology, a class of nature ghosts or demons. Also: demigod attendants of Kuvera Also: twelve heavenly generals who guard the Buddha of Medicine (Sanskrit: Bhaisajya; Tibetan: sangs-rgyas sman-bla; Chinese and Japanese: 藥師如來) The yakshas were originally the tutelary gods of forests and villages. Later, however, they came to be viewed as the steward deities of the earth and the wealth burie ...

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Yaksha:

Yaksha. A species of mythological beings that are the attendants of Kubera, God of Wealth. The female Yaksha is a Yakshini.

(See also: Yaksha, Tantra, Tantra Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Yaksha:

Yaksha: Ogress

(See also: Yaksha, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Death perhaps is the only certainty in this world. Yet, the fear of death stalks most people. Literature � western and Indian � regards the fear of death as an intriguing and ubiquitous part of human life. We know we are mortals, yet we are afraid of the inevitable. We know we will die one day; yet we continue to behave as though we believe we are going to live forever. However, for people of knowledge, for the wise, death is the door to liberation, the passage to moksha.

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Death perhaps is the only certainty in this world. Yet, the fear of death stalks most people. Literature - western and Indian - regards the fear of death as an intriguing and ubiquitous part of human life. We know we are mortals, yet we are afraid of the inevitable. We know we will die one day; yet we continue to behave as though we believe we are going to live forever.

In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Caesar is surprised to find that people are frightened of death, which is after all an end that comes when it will. A similar spirit pervades the renowned dialogue between the Yaksha and Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Once a messenger walking past a tree heard a voice say: "Will you accept seven jars full of gold?" The messenger looked around, but could see no one. The offer was too good to refuse, so he cried aloud: "Yes, I shall accept the seven jars." At once the voice replied: "Go home, I have carried the jars to your house."

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Health is a key factor in the human evolutionary process. Health is not just physical fitness or absence of disease. In ancient India, the term health had a much wider connotation; it was something that went beyond physical and mental dimensions. The spiritual dimension reinforces and also uplifts the physical and mental dimensions of health.

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Jainism: Tension of Opposites Central to Existence

According to Acharya Mahaprajna, opposition is a fundamental rule for existence. "There is no type of existence in which opposites do not co-exist. In a sense, existence may also be defined as the coming together of opposites. It is the principle of the quest for unity between two apparently different characteristics of a substance. It tries to point out that the characteristics which differences have, also have an identicality. Reconciliation, which is a principle of anekant , comes about only with the recognition of the identity principle.''

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MOTHER DURGA

The Durga Puja is celebrated in various parts of India in different styles. But the one basic aim of this celebration is to propitiate Shakti, the Goddess in Her aspect as Power, to bestow upon man all wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and secular), and all other potent powers. Whatever be the particular or special request that everyone may put before the Goddess is being effected consciously or unconsciously. Everyone is blessed with Her loving mercy and is protected by Her.

From " Hindu Fasts & Festivals " by Sri Swami Sivananda.

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Durga Puja or Navaratri:

This festival is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word literally means "nine nights") devotees of Durga observe a fast. Brahmins are fed and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

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In popular Indian folklore, Yaksha is a class of demons who devour men. Yaksh is derived from the Sanskrit 'yaksha'; 'demons who fly by night'. See also: wiktionary:Yaksha, InuYasha Other related archivesIndian folklore, InuYasha, Sanskrit, demons

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In Hinduism, Alaka, which is also sometimes called Alakapuri, is a mythical city in the Himalayas. It is the home of Kubera, the god of wealth, and his attendants called yakshas. Other related archivesHimalayas, Hinduism, Kubera, mythical, yakshas

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The Goddess Jagaddhatri is the form of the Mahadevi that supports the World. Jagaddhatri is formed from the two Sanskrit roots - Jagad is the physical world, and dhatri is support. In modern day Hinduism, Jagaddhatri Devi is considered a name and form of the Goddess Durga. The formal difference between Durga and Jagaddhatri occurs in Mayatantra and Jagaddhatri is mentioned with reference to Durga in Krishnananda's Tantrasaar. The special puja of the goddess on the ninth lunar day of the light fortnight in the month of Kartick has been referred in Krityatattarnab by ...

Including:

• Jagaddhatri - Pauranik lore

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Yakshinis (also called yaksinis or yaksis) are benevolent mythical beings of Hindu mythology. A yakshini is the female counterpart of the male yaksha, and they both attend on Kubera (also called Kuber), the Hindu god of wealth who rules in the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Alaka. They both look after treasure hidden in the earth and resemble that of fairies. Yakshinis are often depicted as beautiful and voluptuous, having large curves and wide hips. In the Uddamareshvara Tantra, thirty-six yakshinis are des ...

Including:

• Yakshini - External links

Read more here: » Yakshini: Encyclopedia - Yakshini

The Yakha population of 17,000 is centered in the Central part of East Nepal in the Kosi district. Their dialect, Yakkha, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family. The Yakha are Agriculturalists. Most Yakhas are able to own their own land and to raise a few animals. On these farms, they raise their staple foods, such as maize, rice, and potatoes. They typically live in double storied houses made of timber, mud, and stone and covered with a thatched roof. Due to their close proximity with the Kiranti, many of them have interma ...

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In Jainism, Parshva, also called Parshvanatha or Parswanath, was twenty-third Tirthankara. Parsvanath was born about 380 years before the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira or in the 10th century BC. He was the son of King Ashvasen and Queen of Vamadevi of Varanasi. He achieved nirvana at the top of Sammet sikhar. There is a mention of four prominent leaders of the order of Lord Parsvanath : Gandhara Shubhdatta (Shumbh) Arya Haridatta Acharya S ...

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The Kena Upanishad (kenopaniṣad), is one of the older, "primary" Upanishads commented upon by Shankara. It is associated with the Samaveda. It figures as number 2 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads. Kenopanishad - About the Upanishad. Kenopanishad derives its name from the first word Kena , meaning ‘by whom’. It belongs to the Talavakara Brahmana ...

Including:

• Kenopanishad - About the Upanishad
• Kenopanishad - Brief Content
• Kenopanishad - Story part
• Kenopanishad - Final Lesson
• Kenopanishad - Sources

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In Hindu mythology, Ravana (Devanagari: रावण, IAST Rāvaṇa; sometimes transliterated Raavana and as Ravan) is the principal antagonist of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. According to Ramayana, he was a king of Lanka (now Sri Lanka) many thousands of years ago. Ravana is depicted in art with up to ten heads, signifying that he had knowledge spanning all the ten directions. Ravana - Birth and Early Life. Ravana was born Dasagriva (One with Ten Heads) th ...

Including:

• Ravana - Birth and Early Life
• Ravana - Tapasya
• Ravana - Emperor of the World and Evil
• Ravana - Conquest of Lanka
• Ravana - Emperor of the Three Worlds
• Ravana - Violations of Women
• Ravana - Downfall
• Ravana - Assessment
• Ravana - In Scriptures
• Ravana - In Ayya Vazhi
• Ravana - Ravana's family

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Rāma or Rama (rāma in IAST, राम (or Sri Rama: श्रीराम) in Devanagari) is the Seventh Avatara of Vishnu. His full name is Ramachandra, and he is reverently addressed as Sri Rama. He is the embodiment of the Absolute Brahman and Dharma. He is the Mariyada ...

Including:

• Rama - Origins
• Rama - Prince of Ayodhya
• Rama - The Avatara
• Rama - With Vishwamitra
• Rama - Marriage to Sita
• Rama - Rama's Arrow
• Rama - Banishment to the Forest
• Rama - The Destruction of Khara
• Rama - The Kidnapping of Sita
• Rama - In Kishkindya
• Rama - The War
• Rama - Rama Rajya
• Rama - Uttara Kanda
• Rama - Sita's banishment
• Rama - In History and Mythology
• Rama - Modern Portrayal in India
• Rama - Symbolism of Rama
• Rama - Portrayal in South East Asia

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The Vishnu sahasranāma (literally: "Vishnu of the thousand names") is a list of 1,000 names for Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the only Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu). More particularly, the Vishnu sahasranāma is one of the most sacred and chanted stotras in Hinduism. It is recited, often with a preface, as a prayer by many Vaishnavites. As described in the 149th chapter of Anushāsanaparva in the epic Mahabharata, the names were handed down to Yudhisthira by grand sire Bh ...

Including:

• Vishnu sahasranama - Etymology
• Vishnu sahasranama - Interpretation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Pronunciation and Merits of Recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Prayer
• Vishnu sahasranama - Shlokas
• Vishnu sahasranama - Recitation and aggregation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Tradition of recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Inclusion of other deities
• Vishnu sahasranama - Quotes about Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Books

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