Difference between revisions of "Guardians of the directions"
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The [[Guardians of the Directions]] ([[Sanskrit]]: दिक्पाल, [[Dikpāla]]) are the [[deities]] who rule the specific [[directions]] of [[space]] according to [[Hinduism]] and [[Vajrayāna]] Buddhism—especially [[Kālacakra]]. As a group of eight [[deities]], they are called [[Aṣṭa-Dikpāla]] (अष्ट-दिक्पाल), literally meaning guardians of eight [[directions]]. They are often augmented with two extra [[deities]] for the ten [[directions]] (the two extra [[directions]] [[being]] [[zenith]] and {{Wiki|nadir}}), when they are known as the [[Daśa-dikpāla]]. In [[Hinduism]] it is [[traditional]] to represent their images on the walls and ceilings of [[Hindu]] [[temples]]. In ancient Java the nine guardian [[gods]] of [[directions]] is called [[Dewata]] Nawa Sanga (Nine guardian [[devata]]), the diagram of these guardian [[gods]] of [[directions]] is featured in {{Wiki|Surya Majapahit}}, the emblem of {{Wiki|Majapahit empire}}. | The [[Guardians of the Directions]] ([[Sanskrit]]: दिक्पाल, [[Dikpāla]]) are the [[deities]] who rule the specific [[directions]] of [[space]] according to [[Hinduism]] and [[Vajrayāna]] Buddhism—especially [[Kālacakra]]. As a group of eight [[deities]], they are called [[Aṣṭa-Dikpāla]] (अष्ट-दिक्पाल), literally meaning guardians of eight [[directions]]. They are often augmented with two extra [[deities]] for the ten [[directions]] (the two extra [[directions]] [[being]] [[zenith]] and {{Wiki|nadir}}), when they are known as the [[Daśa-dikpāla]]. In [[Hinduism]] it is [[traditional]] to represent their images on the walls and ceilings of [[Hindu]] [[temples]]. In ancient Java the nine guardian [[gods]] of [[directions]] is called [[Dewata]] Nawa Sanga (Nine guardian [[devata]]), the diagram of these guardian [[gods]] of [[directions]] is featured in {{Wiki|Surya Majapahit}}, the emblem of {{Wiki|Majapahit empire}}. | ||
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==Names and attributes== | ==Names and attributes== | ||
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The names of the ''[[Dikpālas]]'' vary slightly, but generally include the following: | The names of the ''[[Dikpālas]]'' vary slightly, but generally include the following: | ||
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==[[Directions]] in [[Hindu]] tradition== | ==[[Directions]] in [[Hindu]] tradition== | ||
[[Directions]] in [[Hindu]] [[tradition]] are called as ''Diśā'', or ''Dik''. There are four [[primary]] [[directions]] and a total of 10 [[directions]]. | [[Directions]] in [[Hindu]] [[tradition]] are called as ''Diśā'', or ''Dik''. There are four [[primary]] [[directions]] and a total of 10 [[directions]]. | ||
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==Lokapālas== | ==Lokapālas== | ||
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In [[Hinduism]] the Guardians of the eight [[cardinal directions]] are called the [[Lokapālas]] (लोकपाल) or [[Ashta Dikpalakas]]. They are: | In [[Hinduism]] the Guardians of the eight [[cardinal directions]] are called the [[Lokapālas]] (लोकपाल) or [[Ashta Dikpalakas]]. They are: | ||
Revision as of 12:02, 24 August 2013
The Guardians of the Directions (Sanskrit: दिक्पाल, Dikpāla) are the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hinduism and Vajrayāna Buddhism—especially Kālacakra. As a group of eight deities, they are called Aṣṭa-Dikpāla (अष्ट-दिक्पाल), literally meaning guardians of eight directions. They are often augmented with two extra deities for the ten directions (the two extra directions being zenith and nadir), when they are known as the Daśa-dikpāla. In Hinduism it is traditional to represent their images on the walls and ceilings of Hindu temples. In ancient Java the nine guardian gods of directions is called Dewata Nawa Sanga (Nine guardian devata), the diagram of these guardian gods of directions is featured in Surya Majapahit, the emblem of Majapahit empire.
There are strong similarities between the concept of the guardians of the directions and the lore surrounding the Chinese four symbols, four ancestral spirits who are responsible for four of the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West).
Names and attributes
The names of the Dikpālas vary slightly, but generally include the following:
| Name | Direction | Mantra | Weapon | Consort | Graha (Planet) | Guardian Mātṛkā |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubera | North | Oṃ Śaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ | Gadā (mace) | Kuberajāyā | Budha (Mercury) | Kumārī |
| Yama | South | Oṃ Maṃ Yamāya Namaḥ | Daṇḍa(staff) | Yami | Maṅgala (Mars) | Varahi |
| Indra | East | Oṃ Laṃ Indrāya Namaḥ | Vajra (thunderbolt) | Śacī | Sūrya (Sun) | Aindri |
| Varuṇa | West | Oṃ Vaṃ Varuṇāya Namaḥ | Pāśa (noose) | Nalani | Śani (Saturn) | Varuṇī |
| Īśāna | Northeast | Oṃ Haṃ Īśānāya Namaḥ | Triśūla (trident) | Pārvatī | Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) | Māheśvarī |
| Agni | Southeast | Oṃ Raṃ Agnaye Namaḥ | Śakti(Spear) | Svāhā | Śukra (Venus) | Meṣavāhinī |
| Vāyu | Northwest | Oṃ Yaṃ Vāyuve Namaḥ | Aṅkuśa (goad) | Bhāratī | Candra (Moon) | Mṛgavāhinī |
| Nirṛti (sometimes Rakṣasa) | Southwest | Oṃ Kṣaṃ Rakṣasāya Namaḥ | Khaḍga (sword) | Khaḍgī | Rāhu (North Lunar Node) | Khaḍgadhāriṇī |
| Brahmā | Zenith | Oṃ Hriṃ Brahmaṇe Namaḥ | Padma (lotus) | Sarasvatī | Ketu (South Lunar Node) | Brahmāni |
| Viṣṇu | Nadir | Oṃ Kliṃ Viṣṇave Namaḥ | Cakra (discus) | Lakṣmī | Lagna | Vaiṣṇavī |
Directions in Hindu tradition
Directions in Hindu tradition are called as Diśā, or Dik. There are four primary directions and a total of 10 directions.
| English | Sanskrit |
|---|---|
| East | Pūrva, Prācī, Prāk |
| West | Paścima, Pratīcī, Aparā |
| North | Uttara, Udīcī |
| South | Dakṣīṇa, Avāchi |
| North-East | Īśānya |
| South-East | Āgneya |
| North-West | Vāyavya |
| South-West | Nairṛti |
| Zenith | Ūrdhvā |
| Nadir | Adho |
Lokapālas
In Hinduism the Guardians of the eight cardinal directions are called the Lokapālas (लोकपाल) or Ashta Dikpalakas. They are:
- Indra (east)
- Agni (south - east)
- Yama (south)
- Niruthi ( South - west)
- Varuṇa (west)
- Vayu (North west)
- Kubera (north)
- Esana (north east)
