Mahayaksha, Mahāyakṣa, Maha-yaksha: 9 definitions
Introduction:
Mahayaksha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Mahāyakṣa can be transliterated into English as Mahayaksa or Mahayaksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
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In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan BuddhismMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष) refers to a group of deities summoned by the Yamāntaka-mantra and mentioned as attending the teachings in the 6th century Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa: one of the largest Kriyā Tantras devoted to Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of wisdom) representing an encyclopedia of knowledge primarily concerned with ritualistic elements in Buddhism. The teachings in this text originate from Mañjuśrī and were taught to and by Buddha Śākyamuni in the presence of a large audience (including Mahāyakṣa).
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष) refers to a class of mahoraga deities gods according to the Śvetāmbara tradition, while the Digambara does not recognize this class. The mahoraga refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The mahoragas are are dark or black in complexion and the Nāga is their caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred-tree).
The deities such as the Mahāyakṣas are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.
Source: archive.org: The Jaina IconographyMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष) is the name of the Yakṣa accompanying Ajitanātha: the second of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—The Jaina original books give him the symbol of elephant (Gaja) and his other symbol, namely his special tree (kevalavṛkṣa) tree both being connected with his images. Further, two other iconographic points by which Ajitanātha’s statues may be differentiated from those of others are the figures of his particular Yakṣa called Mahāyakṣa and his Yakṣiṇī named Ajitabalā. Mention of these is made in the Jaina canonical Literature. His posture is what is technically known as khaḍgāsana i.e., standing with two arms hanging on the sides. His chowrie-bearer is Sagaracakrī.
Mahāyakṣa The Digambara, as well as the Śvetāmbara texts coincidently describe him as riding an elephant and having four faces and eight hands armed with weapons. Only with regard to these weapons the texts vary. The Śvetāmbara books enumerate them as (for right hands) Varada, club rosary, noose, (for left hands) citrus, Abhaya, goad and Śakti. The Digambara texts read for these a disc, trident, lotus, goad (for left arms), a sword, staff, axe and Vara-mudrā (for right arms). Another point of differenec between the texts of the two sects is that the Śvetāmbaras will have green colour, while the Digambaras will have golden colour for the Yakṣa.
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष) is the name of a Yakṣa (i.e., Śāsanadevatā) associated with Ajita, according to chapter 2.3 [ajitanātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly:—“Then in this same congregation arose the Yakṣa, named Mahāyakṣa, with four faces, dark-colored, with an elephant for a vehicle. One right arm was in varada-position, the others held a hammer, rosary, and noose. One of his left hands held a citron, one was in abhayada-position, the others held a goad and spear. [...]”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष).—m.
(-kṣaḥ) A sort of demi-god, supposed to attend the Jinas or Jaina saints. E. mahā great, and yakṣa a divine being, attending usually on Kuvera.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Mahāyakṣa (महायक्ष):—[=mahā-yakṣa] [from mahā > mah] m. a gr° Yakṣa, a chief of the Y°, [Rāmāyaṇa] (cf. yakṣa-pati)
2) [v.s. ...] Name of the servant of the second Arhat of the present Avasarpiṇī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] [plural] a class of Buddhist deities, [Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāyakṣa (महायक्ष):—[mahā-yakṣa] (kṣaḥ) 1. m. A sort of demigod.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Yaksha, Maha.
Starts with: Mahayakshasenapati.
Full-text: Mahayakshasenapati, Mahayakshi, Naravahana, Baladhvaja, Candana, Kunala, Lohitaksha, Prabhavay, Jrimbhaka, Anga, Rohini, Senapati, Ajitabala, Mahoraga, Sagaracakri, Mathura, Magadha, Vajrapani, Ajitanatha, Ajita.
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Search found 5 books and stories containing Mahayaksha, Mahāyakṣa, Maha-yaksha, Mahā-yakṣa, Mahayaksa, Maha-yaksa; (plurals include: Mahayakshas, Mahāyakṣas, yakshas, yakṣas, Mahayaksas, yaksas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 34: Ajita’s Śāsanadevatās < [Chapter III - The initiation and omniscience of Ajita]
Jainism in Odisha (Orissa) (by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo)
Jaina Remains at Jamunda Village < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]
Iconography of Jain Gods and Goddess < [Chapter 6]
Iconography of Tirthankaras < [Chapter 6]
Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal (by Shubha Majumder)
The twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras and their Yakṣas and Yakṣiṇīs < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
Images of Tīrthaṅkara Ajitanātha < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]
A study of the philosophy of Jainism (by Deepa Baruah)
Chapter I.c - The lives of the Tīrthaṅkaras < [Chapter I - Introduction]
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 107 - Procedure of the Worship of Brahmā < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]