Dakini
A dakini is a type of goddess in Hinduism and Buddhism whose nature varies by tradition. In earlier Hindu texts and East Asian esoteric Buddhism, dakinis were a race of demonesses who ate the flesh and vital essence of humans. In Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism, dakinis are fierce-looking female embodiments of enlightened energy who can help Tantric initiates attain enlightenment.
↻ synthesized from 8 sources
When
- First attested
- 600 CE
- Attested period
- 600 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Mentioned in the Pranatoshini Tantra (18th century).
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Daayan, Ded futiya, Jokkho, Nishi daak, Naagin, Nale Ba, Pishacha, Preta, Pūtam, Yakshini, Kichkandi, Raakebhoot, Pichal Peri, Inari, Matres, Vīrabhadra, Yātudhānīs, Piśācas, Yakṣas, Rakṣasas, Vināyakas, Kotarī, Revatī, Jyeṣṭhā, Pūtanā, Unmāda, Apasmāra, Lalitā, Kubjikā, Kusumamāla, Vajrapāṇi, hanitu, Hyang, Kaitiaki, Kawas, Tiki, Lord Guan, Mazu, Tudigong, Chenghuangshen, Yidam, Vishnu, Shmashana Adhipati, Śākinī, Durga, Mahākāla, Vajrayogini, Chhinnamasta, Chinnamunda, Mekhala, Kanakhala, Lakshminkara, Sarvabuddha, Vajravaironi, Vajravarnini, Vaironi, Sarvabuddhi, Śiva, Krodha Bhairava, Prachanda Chandika, Mahashakti, Banjhākri, Banjhākrini, Vetala, Churel, Mogwai, Hungry ghost, Vengeful ghost, Wangliang, Yaoguai, Gwisin, Korean virgin ghost, Egg ghost, Aavi, Bhakolwa, Bhoota (ghost), Baak, Chetkin, Chir batti, Challava, Krishna, Atua
- serves
- kali, Daṇḍanāthā, Mahākāla, Maheśvara, Yama, Śiva, Chamunda, Sarvasiddhi
- allied with
- Rākinī, Lākinī, Kākinī, Śākinī, Hākinī, Yākinī, Kusumā, Bhūtas, Pramathas, Guhyakas, Kūṣmāṇḍas, Parpaṭas, Caṭakas, Brahmarakshasa, Bhairavas, Kṣetrapālas, Yakṣiṇī, Śaṅkhinī, Kusumamālinī, Saptamātṛkās
- has aspect
- Dakiniten
- child of
- Kalmaśapada, Parvati, Chandika
- student of
- Mahākāla
Mentioned by
- Banjhākri
- Banjhākrini
- Vetala
- Churel
- Mogwai
- Hungry ghost
- Vengeful ghost
- Wangliang
- Yaoguai
- Gwisin
- Korean virgin ghost
- Egg ghost
- Aavi
- Bhakolwa
- Bhoota (ghost)
- Baak
and 24 more
Sources
Source passages
“Dakini”
#4361 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“A dakini is a type of goddess in Hinduism and Buddhism. The concept of the dakini somewhat differs depending on the context and the tradition. For example, in earlier Hindu texts and East Asian esoteric Buddhism, the term denotes a race of demonesses”
#6114 · extracted by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5
“Dakini is the patron of those who seek knowledge.”
#9100 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“The Three Roots consist of the guru, yidam, and dakini or dharma protector, each representing a pivotal source of guidance and inspiration for those treading the Vajrayana path.”
#10744 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“Dakini, Shakini and some other tantric deities, associated both with Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, are said to roam in Shmashana.”
#12337 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001