Who are Kusuma and Shyama. Explain
Answer
Kusuma and Shyama are names connected with the
attendant deities of Lord Padmaprabha, the 6th Tirthankara in Jainism.
Kusuma is the
yakṣa (male attendant deity) of Padmaprabha, and
Shyama is a name used in some Jain iconographic traditions for the
yakṣī (female attendant deity); standard Jain listings also give
Acyutā in Śvetāmbara tradition and
Manovegā in Digambara tradition for this same position. (
jainpedia.org)
Explanation
In Jain art and worship, each Tirthankara is often shown with a male and female guardian-attendant called
yakṣa and
yakṣī. These beings are not Tirthankaras themselves; they are protective deities associated with the Jina’s image and symbolism. For Padmaprabha, the lotus symbolism matches
Kusuma, whose name means “flower.” (
jainpedia.org)
Spiritual Understanding
Their presence in Jain tradition reminds devotees that the Tirthankara is the central object of reverence, while the attendant deities symbolize protection, devotion, and the sacred order around the Jina’s teachings. The main focus in Jain Dharma remains the path shown by the Tirthankara, not the worship of attendants as liberated souls. (
jainpedia.org)
Takeaway
So, in simple words:
Kusuma and Shyama are attendant deities linked to Lord Padmaprabha. Kusuma is the male attendant, and Shyama is a name used in some traditions for the female attendant. (
jainpedia.org)