Dikpala,
Cham civilization,
Mỹ Sơn,Vietnam 10th century. (l-r) Nairṛta, Agni, Varuna, Indra (front), Kubera and Isan (back row)
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.
[edit] Names and attributes
The names of the Dikpālas vary slightly, but generally include the following:
[edit] Directions in Hindu tradition
Directions in Hindu tradition are called as Diśa, Disha or Dik. There are four primary directions and a total of 10 directions.
| English |
Sanskrit |
| East |
Pūrva, Prāchi, Prāk |
| West |
Paścima, Pratīchi, Apara |
| North |
Uttara, Udīchi |
| South |
Dakshina, Avāchi |
| North-East |
Īśānya |
| South-East |
Āgneya |
| North-West |
Vāyavya |
| South-West |
Nairṛti |
| Zenith |
Ūrdhva |
| Nadir |
Adho |
[edit] Lokapālas
Brahma, Lord of the Zenith (center) with (from left) Varuna, Kubera, Yama and Indra.
In Hinduism the Guardians of the four cardinal directions are called the Lokapālas (लोकपाल). They are:
Images of the Lokapālas are usually placed in pairs at the entrance to tombs. As Guardians they can call upon the spirits of the next world to help them protect the tomb if necessary.
[edit] References
- The Gods of the Directions in Ancient India. Origin and Early Development in Art and Literature (until c. 1000 A.D.), Berlin: Dietrich Reimer 2001 (ISBN 3-496-02713-4) by Corinna Wessels-Mevissen
[edit] See also
