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Brief Introduction
The word "Yaksha" is derived from Sanskrit word "Yakṣa," meaning "briskness" and " robustness." Yaksha has various representations in Buddhism and folk traditions, and its tale has become a subject in films and TV series with different episodes. Yaksha also appear in the name of music bands and computer game characters.
Yaksha groups are governed by Vessavana, a guardian deity of the north and the head of the Four Heavenly Kings, whose other three members include Dhatarattha of the east, Virulhaka of the south, and Virupakkha of the west.
Vessavana governs the north no matter in the Heavens of the Four Kings or in the Heavens of Eight Directions. In Brahmanism, the original identity of Vessavana is Kubera, the ruling deity of Himalaya. After thousands years of practices, he was conferred the status of the guardian deity of the north by his grandfather Brahma, the god of creation.
Various Representations of Yaksha
● Deity of Wealth
Vessavana gained "Puspaka," a flying cart bearing the representation of the wealth, and Yaksha was bestowed the status of the deity of wealth and protection ever since.
● Deity of War
Vessavana was revered as the deity of war because he, in collaboration with Vishnu, led Yakshas followers and defeated Ravana, the demon king.
● Dharmapala (Defenders of the Dharma) and Deity of Knowledge
Vessavana defends the Bodhimanda (position of awakening) of Tathagatas and has many chances to hear their teachings, hence obtaining the name Vessavana, meaning "he who hears everything."
Tales of Yaksha in Theravada Buddhism in Thailand
In Thailand, Vessavana has the name "Thao Vessuwan" (Thai: ท้าวเวสสุวรรณ) and been respected as the King of Ghosts. The elder hang the Thao Vessuwan pha yant (yant cloth) on top of the cradle to protect the infants from the devils' assaults. Thao Vessuwan is also the subject of sacred objects with the effects of the protection against adversity.
Thao Vessuwan, with a giant body, has Yaksha-like appearance, green-faced and long-toothed. He stands, slightly squatting, and holds a long stick in between his legs which makes him look like a three-legged giant. Legend has it that Thao Vessuwan is physically disabled. Brahma named him "Thao Kuwen (Thai: ท้าวกุเวร)."
The explanation of Thao Vessuwan in Encyclopedia of Thailand indicates that Thao Vessuwan is the king of Yakshas, governing Yaksha followers and guard their treasures. In the Ramakien epic, Thao Vessuwan is the older stepbrother of Ravana, the ten-faced demon king. The physically-disabled Thao Vessuwan has eight teeth and three legs, and is the guardian deity of the north.
Living in Himalaya Moutains, Thao Vessuwan owns two deity-parks in Mount Meru, and has two servants Gandharva and Kinnara.
In the folk tradition, Thao Vessuwan belongs to a Yaksha with the golden body and in golden apparel. Born kind-hearted, Thao Vessuwan contributed himself to serving as the guardian deity of Buddha and Buddhist buildings.
In the front of temples, buddhist caves, and sanctuaries, it is common to see one-or-two Yaksha statues holding long sticks. One single Yaksha statue stands for Thao Vessuwan, while two Yaksha statues represent Thao Vessuwan and his subordinate. On the left side of Phra Buddha Chinnarat Palace of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok Province, gold-leafed Yaksha (Thao Vessuwan) statues are visible.
Besides serving as the guardian deity of Buddhism, Thao Vessuwan is as well in charge of recording benevolence of human beings which will be informed to higher gods on the heaven.
Origin of Thao Vessuwan
Thao Vessuwan is the son of the King Phra Visravatmuni and the Queen Itavita. Despite having a sane body, he was born an ugly appearance, hence was named "Kuwen," meaning ugliness. With a kind heart and hard practices over thousands of years, though, he was blessed by Brahma and conferred the status of the deity of wealth and the king of Yakshas.
Although being one member of Yaksha, a natural spirit often with a cruel personality, Thao Vessuwan worshipped Brahma and liked making Buddhist practices, which exasperated his father who, reluctant to live together with Thao Vessuwan, sent him to another cities. Fortunately, Brahma had a special liking for Thao Vessuwan, and gave him a flying cart.
Ravana, the ten-faced demon king and the younger stepbrother of Thao Vessuwan, had assaulted Thao Vessuwan's city and cart. Fond of peace and not wanting to trigger the war, Thao Vessuwan yielded to his younger brother, leading his followers to leave the city. Knowing what had happened, Brahma gave blessings to Thao Vessuwan to make him immortal and become the guardian deity of the north.
In the Buddhist records, the previous life of Thao Vessuwan was a Brahmin working in a sugar cane factory. Thao Vessuwan often donated money to poor people, had been undergone thousands years of practices, and, blessed by Brahma and Shiva, was revered as the deity of wealth.
There is another version saying that Thao Vessuwan was a Brahmin in his previous life and had the name "Guwen Brahmin" because often doing good deeds. In the Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (Buddha of the present) age, Thao Vessuwan was the King Bimbisara and a friend of the Siddhartha Gautama. After Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, King Bimbisara often did good deeds for the Buddha, who gave him abundant wealth and great influence.
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