Yakshas is a Sanskrit word meaning a broad class of generally benevolent nature spirits who are capricious or mischievous sometimes. Wilderness, water, treasure, forest, trees and fertility is connected with the Yakshas. Yakshas are mentioned in various texts including Buddhist, Jain and Hindu texts besides medieval era and ancient temples of South Asia. They are presented as guardian deities in Southeast Asia.
Yakshas are known to function as guardians most often. Yakshas are benevolent nature spirits who are at times capricious or mischievous. Yakshas are depicted with the left hand supporting a small child or devotee joining hands in prayer, while the right hand holds a mudgar mace.
During the Mauryan Empire period, a number of monuments (2 meters tall) in the name of Yakshas have been made as early from 3rd century BCE to the 1st century BCE. The monuments have inscriptions on them identifying the Yakshas. The male Yakshas, feature in early Indian art as dwarf-like, stout, portly and fearsome warriors. The Yakshines are portrayed in voluptuous figures, round faces happy, young and beautiful. Yakshini, Yaksi, Yaksini or Yakkhini are the female forms of Yakshas.
Buddhist, Jain and Hindu texts state that Yakshas have a dual personality. However they may be connected with mountains and woods and could be inoffensive nature-fairy. However, Yakshas have a darker version. They can be a Bhuta (ghosts), haunting waylays and wilderness. Just like the Rakshasas they can devour travelers even.
According to Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology, Kubera, the god of prosperity and wealth is considered to the protector of the world and king of the semi-divine Yakshas. He is identified as a Yaksha due to his plump body frame.
