Are yakshas physically present with Trithankaras?
Yes. In Jain cosmology every Tirthankara is said to have one male Yaksha (attendant deity) and one female Yakshini as their divine attendants. They are considered celestial beings who accompany the Tirthankara and help in their spiritual work. They are not understood as physical beings living in the human world, but as powerful, non-material guardians or helpers who reside in the siddha-loka and participate in the Tirthankara’s spiritual realm.
Notes:
- The concept is shared across Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions, though the names of the Yakshas/Yakshinis and some details can vary between traditions.
- In art and temples, these attendants are often depicted alongside the Tirthankara as symbolic helpers, reinforcing their role as aids in the path to liberation.
If you’d like, I can point to specific Yaksha/Yakshini pairs for each Tirthankara or explain how the two traditions differ on particular pairs.