The Fourth Great General Yaksha – Anila

One of the Twelve Divine Yaksha Generals of Medicine Buddha

📖 Introduction

Among the Twelve Great Yaksha Generals (十二神将 – Dvādaśa Yakṣa Mahārāja) who serve under the compassionate vow of Bhaiṣajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha, stands the Fourth General—Anila (Sanskrit: Anila; Chinese: 阿尼囉大將; Japanese: Anira Taishō). He is a celestial commander who leads an army of yakshas and spiritual warriors to protect the Dharma and its followers, particularly those who venerate the Medicine Buddha’s sacred name.

In Sanskrit, “Anila” means “wind”, symbolizing breath, life force (prāṇa), mobility, and clarity. These qualities are directly linked to his healing responsibilities, especially in relation to diseases of the nervous and respiratory systems, mental agitation, and energetic imbalances. His protective energy clears obstructions in the mind and body, like a purifying breeze dispersing dark clouds.

🌬️ Name Meaning and Symbolism

• Name: Anila (अनिल) – Wind, Air, Breath
• Sanskrit Root: “An” (to breathe)
• Symbolizes: Breath of life, mobility, clarity of mind, removal of obstacles, balance of internal air element (vāyu)

Anila’s name reflects his role as a deity of cleansing and circulation, helping to move stagnant energies and promote mental equilibrium. He dispels diseases caused by internal wind imbalances, which in traditional Asian medicine correlate with neurological, muscular, and psychological ailments.

🧭 Position and Role in the Twelve Yaksha Generals

• Ordinal Number: 4th of 12 Yaksha Generals
• Commanded Troops: 7,000 Yaksha Spirits
• Element: Air (Wind)
• Direction: Often associated with the southeast, though this varies by mandala configuration
• Function: Disperses illness of wind origin, purifies disturbed minds, protects against air-borne diseases and mental disorders

🧘‍♂️ Spiritual Vow and Healing Mission

The Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja Sūtra (The Sutra of the Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Light Tathāgata) records the vows of each Yaksha General. General Anila proclaimed:

“I vow to serve the Medicine Buddha and protect all beings who uphold his name and teachings. I will calm their minds, purify their breath, and guard them against ailments of the wind, confusion, and hallucination. With swift force like the wind, I will appear and assist them whenever needed.”

This vow emphasizes his speed, subtlety, and ability to bring clarity and harmony to body and mind.

⚔️ Iconography

General Anila is traditionally depicted as:

• A youthful warrior or agile sage, often clothed in robes that flutter like the wind
• Holding a banner, ringed staff, or a fan, symbolizing motion and purification
• Sometimes shown riding a deer or antelope, representing grace, speed, and alertness
• Surrounded by swirling clouds, implying his mastery of the air element

His appearance is both calm and fierce, reminding practitioners that peace and protection are not opposites but two expressions of awakened compassion.

⚕️ Diseases and Ailments He Protects Against

General Anila is invoked for his protection against diseases associated with the vāta (wind) element:

He is especially helpful in clearing mental fog, supporting meditation, and ensuring calm breath and focus.

🕯️ Ritual Invocation and Devotion

General Anila is not typically worshiped in isolation, but practitioners may honor him during:

• Medicine Buddha Pūjā ceremonies
• Yaksha protection rituals
• Breath-based healing practices
• Mind-clearing meditations (using breath as an anchor)

He is included in visualizations involving the Twelve Yaksha Generals surrounding the Medicine Buddha, often recited as part of the Seven Medicine Buddhas’ Litany or specific Yaksha invocations.

📿 Associated Mantra

Although Anila does not have an individual mantra, he is invoked collectively with the Twelve Generals through the Medicine Buddha Mantra:

Namo Bhaiṣajyaguru Vaidūryaprabha Rājāya Tathāgatāya.
Tadyathā: Om Bhaiṣajye Bhaiṣajye Mahābhaiṣajya Rājā Samudgate Svāhā.

By reciting this mantra, one calls upon the collective healing forces of the Medicine Buddha and his twelve protectors, including General Anila.

🔎 Modern Symbolism and Applications

Today, Anila’s symbolism has modern relevance:

📜 Conclusion

Anila, the Fourth Yaksha General, is a guardian of the winds of life—from the physical breath to the subtle flows of consciousness. His sacred mission is to protect all beings from suffering rooted in air element imbalances, especially restlessness of the mind, disorders of the nerves, and airborne diseases.

To invoke Anila is to call upon the swift and unseen force of healing, reminding us that clarity and stillness are the true breath of peace.