The Yakṣas, Guardians of the Earth's Treasures

The Yakṣas, Guardians of the Earth's Treasures 

The Yakṣas, with their king, Kubera, were originally anti-gods (asura), but made friendly overtures to the gods and were accepted in their midst.

The term Yakṣa comes from a Vedic word meaning "marvellous" or "mysterious." The mysterious-ones (Yakṣa) are also the secret-ones (guhyaka). They are often mentioned with the night-wanderers (Rākṣasa), or demons. The Yakṣas are also connected with the serpents (nāga).

With Kubera at their head they seceded from the rākṣasas.