Yali (mythology)

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Yali statue
Yali in pillars at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Yali pillars, Rameshwara Temple, Keladi, Shivamogga District, Karnataka state, India
Yali in Aghoreswara temple, Ikkeri, Shivamogga district, Karnataka state, India

Yali (யாளி), also referred to as Vyala (vicious) or Vidala in Sanskrit, is a Hindu historical creature represented in many South Indian temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It is portrayed with the head and body of a lion, the trunk and the tusks of an elephant, and sometimes with equine features. There also exist variations of the creature with it possessing the appendages of other beasts. The yali is believed to be the symbolic representation of man's struggle with the elemental forces of nature.[1] It has sometimes been described as a leogryph (part lion and part griffin),[2] with some bird-like features.

Descriptions of and references to yalis are ancient, but they became prominent in south Indian sculptures in the 16th century. Yalis were described to be more powerful than the lion, the tiger, or the elephant.

Iconography and image[edit]

In its iconography and image the yali has a catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant (gaja) and tail of a serpent. Sometimes they have been shown standing on the back of a makara, another mythical creature and considered to be the Vahana of Budha (Mercury). Some images look like three-dimensional representation of yalis. Images or icons have been found on the entrance walls of the temples, and the graceful mythical lion is believed to protect and guard the temples and ways leading to the temple. They usually have the stylized body of a lion and the head of some other beast, most often an elephant (gaja-vyala).[3] Other common examples are: the lion-headed (simha-vyala), horse- (ashva-vyala), human- (nir-vyala) and the dog-headed (shvana-vyala) ones.[4]

Literary references[edit]

Descriptions of the yali are featured in ancient Tamil literature, dating back to the Sangam era.[5]

இனம் தலைத்தரூஉம் எறுழ் கிளர் முன்பின், வரி ஞிமிறு ஆர்க்கும், வாய் புகு கடாஅத்துப், பொறி நுதல் பொலிந்த வயக் களிற்று ஒருத்தல் இரும் பிணர்த் தடக் கையின், ஏமுறத் தழுவ,

Agananuru, 78, 1 – 5[6]

where a splendid, strong male elephant with spotted forehead and bee- swarming mist entering his mouth, who protects his herd from danger, fears an yali and embraces his fully pregnant, trembling female with his dark, large, coarse trunk to protect her

ஆளி நன் மான் அணங்குடைக் குருளை மீளி மொய்ம்பின் மிகு வலி செருக்கி முலைக் கோள் விடாஅ மாத்திரை, ஞெரேரென தலைக் கோள் வேட்டம் களிறு அட்டாங்கு

Porunararruppadai, 139 – 142[7]

like a fierce cub of a fine yali still being breastfed, that kills an elephant in a wink of an eye in his first hunt, with great strength

Gallery[edit]

  • The Yali is often found on the neck of a modern Saraswati veena.

    The Yali is often found on the neck of a modern Saraswati veena.

  • Yali in pillars of Puthu Mandapam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu State, India

    Yali in pillars of Puthu Mandapam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu State, India

  • Yali in Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu State, India

    Yali in Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu State, India

  • Yali pillars at Vittala temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

    Yali pillars at Vittala temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

  • Yali pillars at Ananthasayana temple, Ananthasayanagudi, Karnataka state, India

    Yali pillars at Ananthasayana temple, Ananthasayanagudi, Karnataka state, India

  • Carved pillar in the 16th century Thousand Pillar Hall, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

    Carved pillar in the 16th century Thousand Pillar Hall, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

  • Yali pillars at Krishna temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

    Yali pillars at Krishna temple at Hampi, Karnataka state, India

  • Yali pillars at Bhoganandishvara temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

    Yali pillars at Bhoganandishvara temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

  • Yali pillars at the Ranganatha temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

    Yali pillars at the Ranganatha temple in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

  • Pillars with Yali and Kudure Gombe ("horse doll") at Ranganatha temple, Rangasthala, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

    Pillars with Yali and Kudure Gombe ("horse doll") at Ranganatha temple, Rangasthala, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka state, India

  • Yali and rider, Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha state, India

    Yali and rider, Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha state, India

  • Yali and rider, Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha state, India

    Yali and rider, Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha state, India

  • A Image of Yali at Orchha fort, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Image of Yali at Orchha fort, Madhya Pradesh, India

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
  1. ↑ Bane, Theresa (2016-05-22). Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. McFarland. p. 340. ISBN 978-1-4766-2268-2.
  2. ↑ "Carved wood bracket – description". British Museum. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Sculptural fusion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 21 January 2007. Archived from the original on 28 January 2007.
  4. ↑ Khandro - Yali & Mukha
  5. ↑ Pillai, M. S. Purnalingam (1994). Tamil Literature. Asian Educational Services. p. 87. ISBN 978-81-206-0955-6.
  6. ↑ Akananuru (in தமிழ்). Kavita Paplikesan. 2021. ISBN 978-93-88450-61-4.
  7. ↑ Maiyam, Azhwargal Aaivu (2021-07-25). Porunaratruppadai (in தமிழ்). Pustaka Digital Media.

External links[edit]

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