Yaksha

Yakshas are a diverse group of supernatural nature spirits or fairies in Indian mythology. They have two forms, corporeal and ghostly.

Description
As supernatural creatures of the nature, yakshas are associated with forests and waters as well as fertility and treasures of the wild. Whatever their domain is, they are usually there to guard something which has made them ideal guardian spirits for villages and forests. Humans often pay homage to them to take care of also their well-being.

Most often yakshas are depicted as looking very much like humans at least in their corporeal form. They can also have some animal-like or even demonic features to them, like animal face or a tail, or hideously grinning visage. Male yakshas are often fit warriors or stunted, dwarf-like beings while female yakshas (female noun: yakshi) are portrayed as women with broad hips and breasts full of milk.

However, yakshas have a dual nature. There is a corporeal yaksha and a non-corporeal, ghostly version of them. The corporeal version is generally benevolent and willing to aid as long as it doesn't conflict with possible guard duty. The ghostly versio of them, however, is a dangerous encounter. They are homicidal and violent beings that injure people in various ways ranging from sexual assault to life-threatening mischief - unless ghost yaksha murders them outright and devours bodies.

Buddhist yakshas are more warrior-like and eagerly answer to the call to fight asuras.