>Redtigerxyz at 12:39, 13 February 2021

2021-02-13T12:39:44Z

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{{Short description|Semi-divine beings in Hindu mythology}}
'''Guhyaka(s)''' (गुह्यक, literally "hidden ones") is a class of supernatural beings in [[Hindu mythology]]. Like [[Yakshas]] (nature-spirits), they are often described as attendants of [[Kubera]], the god of wealth, and protect his hidden treasures. Guhyakas are believed to live in mountain caves; thus their name, "hidden ones".<ref name = "monierwilliams"/> As lord of Guhyakas, Kubera is called "Guhyakadhipati".<ref name="Hopkins pp. 144">Hopkins pp. 144</ref>

==Description==
[[Edward Washburn Hopkins]] suggests that Guhyakas may not be distinct beings, but a generic name for spirits of concealment.<ref name="Hopkins pp. 144"/> They are mentioned in the ''[[Manu Smriti]]'' and the ''[[Harivamsa]]'', appendix of the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', as distinct beings;<ref name = "monierwilliams">{{cite book| last=Monier-Williams| first=Monier| title=Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary| authorlink=Monier Monier-Williams| page=360| year=2008| origyear=1899| publisher=Universität zu Köln| url=http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0360-guruvyatha.jpg}}</ref> however, the epic and the ''[[Meghaduta]]'' identify them with Yakshas.<ref name = "monierwilliams"/><ref name = "mani">{{cite book | last=Mani| first=Vettam| title=Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature| url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft| publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers| year=1975 | isbn=978-0-8426-0822-0| authorlink=Vettam Mani| page=[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/301 301]}}</ref>

Guhyakas are described as the most trusted and close associates of Kubera, who resides with them on Mount [[Kailash]]. Kubera assigns them important tasks like delivering a magic eye-wash to the god and epic-hero [[Rama]], to aid him in war.<ref name="Hopkins pp. 144"/> They also serve as messengers and are sent to witness battles.<ref name="hop147ff"/> In other instances, they are described as residing on [[Hemakuta]] or on Mount [[Gandhamandana]], in the palace of Kubera.<ref name="Dalal2010">{{cite book| author=Roshen Dalal| title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide| year=2010| publisher=Penguin Books India| isbn=978-0-14-341421-6| page=151}}</ref> They also live on earth and in hills.<ref name = "hop147ff">Hopkins pp. 147-8</ref> They are described as half-bird or half-equine in nature.<ref name="Dalal2010"/> They have glowing forms in heaven, take demonic forms during war, and look like [[gnome]]s on earth.<ref name="hop147ff"/>

The ''Mahabharata'', which treats them as a type of Yakshas, mentions that the airborne palaces of Kubera are held in the sky by Guhyakas; in other instances, the god himself is described as being carried by Guhyakas.<ref>Hopkins pp. 142-3.</ref> It is also described that [[Bhima]], a hero in the epic, kills them when he attacks Kubera on Gandhamandana.<ref name="Hopkins pp. 144"/><ref name="mani"/> The soldiers who die by sword neither bravely nor cowardly, as mentioned in the [[Mahabharata war]], are said to go to the abode of Guhyakas after death. This is the second lowest realm that souls can enter, the lowest being [[Naraka (Hinduism)|Naraka]] (hell) for sinners.<ref name = "hop147ff"/><ref name="Dalal2010"/> Guhyakas are also associated with [[Pitrs]] ("ancestors") and are sometimes equated to ghosts.<ref name = "hop147ff"/>

The twin-physician gods [[Ashvins]], annual plants, and inferior animals are described as Guhyakas.<ref name="Dalal2010"/><ref>Hopkins p. 55</ref> In the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', Kubera's son [[Nalakuvara]] and Manigriva are described as Guhyakas.<ref name="Hopkins pp. 144"/>

Though often associated with Kubera, the ''Brihat-Samhita'' of [[Varahamihira]] as well as some [[Puranas]] describe Guhyakas as attendants of [[Revanta]], the son of the Sun-god [[Surya]].{{sfn|Monier-Williams|1899|page=888}} The ''[[Markandeya Purana]]'' mentions that Revanta was assigned the duty as the chief of Guhyakas by Surya.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Religious Beliefs and Practices of North India During the Early Mediaeval Period |author=Vibhuti Bhushan Mishra |year=1973 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=90-04-03610-5 |page=37}}.</ref> In sculpture, Revanta is often depicted with the Guhyakas in hunting scenes.<ref>{{Citation |last=Singh |first=Nagendra Kumar |year=1997 |title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |volume=44 |chapter=Revanta in Puranic Literature and Art |pages=2605–19, 2611, 2613 |publisher=Anmol Publications  |isbn=81-7488-168-9}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Books==
* {{cite book|last=Hopkins |first=Edward Washburn|authorlink=Edward Washburn Hopkins|title=Epic mythology |url=https://archive.org/stream/epicmythology00hopkuoft#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Kubera|year=1915|publisher=Strassburg K.J. Trübner|isbn=0-8426-0560-6}}

[[Category:Non-human races in Hindu mythology]]

Guhyaka - Revision history

>Redtigerxyz at 12:39, 13 February 2021