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Let all obstacles perish. (upsargaha kshayam yänti).
Let all difficulties be removed. (chhidyante vighna vallayah). Our mind attains peace and happiness (manah prasannamtäm eti). On worshipping the Jineshvaras (poojyamäne Jineshvare).
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The Jain goddesses Chakreshvari, Ambikä and Padmavati
Background of the Jain Yakshas and Yakshinis:
The Jains, and specially those who attend temples, worship images of enlightened souls, the Tirthankars, but one can also find idols of many other gods and goddesses. They are often called Säshan-devtäs or the protectors of the Jain community. The question now arises. Who are they? Why are they important and why do people worship them?
The Säshan-devtäs are not same as the Tirthankaras who have conquered the inner passions. These Säshan-devtäs or male and female deities (yakshas and yakshinis) are heavenly beings of the Vyantara group who have supernatural powers including the ability to change their form and size. According to some beliefs, Jains believe that these yakshas and yakshinis were appointed by Indra to look after the well being of the Tirthankaras. Therefore, they were always found around the Tirthankaras and that is reflected in their presence in Jain temples, and also around the idols of the Tirthankaras. They are found in a pair of male (yaksha) and female (yakshini). The yaksha is usually found on the right side of the Jina idol, while the yakshini is on the left. In an earlier period they were regarded mainly as devotees of the Jina, but as time passed, people also started to worship them. Not all yaksha/yakshinis are benevolent, as some can be malevolent. Just as some yaksha paid homage to Lord Mahävira and protected him from some sufferings, the yaksha Sulpäni troubled Lord Mahävira in his mediation and inflicted much suffering. Similar stories are also available where the yaksha troubled others. The residence (bhavan) of the yaksha is also known as a chaitya or ayatana. It could be anywhere, outside the city, on a hill or a mountain, on a tree, by the water tank, at the gate of a city, or within a city - a house or a palace. The famous yaksha Angulimäla was living in a tree in the forest and, when reformed, had a place by the city gate.
The Jain Tirthankaras are the Gods without having any ties of attachment (Veetaräga), Their souls reside in the ultimate abode, in eternal bliss. They are not to grant any wishes or fulfil desires. We human beings always look for support or outside help in our troubled times. People need more comfort, wealth and good health. That is where the yakshas and yakshinis enter the scene. Jains look up to them for fulfilment of their material desires. You can worship the Tirthankara, and the attendant deity of that Tirthankara will bestow boons. You can even worship the yaksha or yakshini alone and still manage to receive favours from them. Either way the Jains gave them a place in their temples. Some Yakshas were and are known for bestowing fertility and wealth upon their devotees. Therefore, they have become very popular and their idols have been placed in the temples and Jains worship them.
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