1-2.Enigmatic Deities of India
The endless renewal of life and the mystery of creation foster a belief in the existence of spirits and entities infused in nature. Enchanted by the mystical essence of nature, ancient Indians personified these spirits into deities. Among them, those responsible for nurturing the wilderness were known as yakṣa for males and yakṣī for females. As these nature spirits took on personified forms, they evolved into beings with thousands of faces, enriched by the unique imagination of the early Indians. These spirits assumed new roles, embracing the emerging religion of Buddhism and, notably, safeguarding Śākyamuni.