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Encyclopedia > Guardians of the directions

The Guardians of the Directions (Sanskrit Aṣṭa-Dikpālas) are the deities who rule the eight directions of space according to Hinduism and Vajrayāna Buddhism - especially Kālacakra. 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-dikpālas. In Hinduism it is traditional to represent their images on the walls and ceilings of Hindu temples. The names of the Dikpālas vary slightly, but generally include the following: Sanskrit ( संस्कृतम् ; pronunciation: ) is an Indo-European classical language of India and a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. ... Hinduism {Sanskrit/Hindi - HindÅ« Dharma, also known as Sanātana (eternal) Dharma, and Vaidika (of the Vedas) Dharma} is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas and the beliefs of other people of India. ... A mandala used in Vajrayana Buddhist practices. ... Buddhism is a religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), who probably lived in the 6th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following the Buddhas death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia... Kalachakra is a term used in Tantric Buddhism that means time-wheel or time-cycles. It refers both to a Tantric deities (tib. ... The zenith, in astronomy, is the point in the sky which appears directly above the observer. ... The nadir (from Arabic nazir, opposite) is the astronomical term for the point in the sky directly below the observer, or more precisely, the point in the sky with an altitude of -90°. Geometrically, it is the point on the celestial sphere intersected by a line drawn from the observer... Neasden Temple, london The Neasden Temple in London is an example of a Hindu Temple. ...

Name Direction Mantra Weapon Consort Planet
Kubera North Oṃ Shaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ Gada Kuberajayā Moon
Yama South Oṃ Maṃ Yamāya Namaḥ Daṇḍa Varahajayā Jupiter
Indra East Oṃ Laṃ Indrāya Namaḥ Vajra Śacī Sun
Varuṇa West Oṃ Vaṃ Varuṇāya Namaḥ Pāśa Varuṇajayā Venus
Īśāna Northeast Oṃ Haṃ Īśānāya Namaḥ Triśūla Īśānajayā Rāhu
Agni Southeast Oṃ Raṃ Agnaye Namaḥ Śakti Svāhā Mars
Vayu Northwest Oṃ Yaṃ Vayuve Namaḥ Aṅkuśa Vayujayā Saturn
Nirṛti (sometimes Rakṣasa) Southwest Oṃ Kṣaṃ Rakṣasāya Namaḥ Khaḍga Khaḍgī Mercury
Brahma Zenith Oṃ Hriṃ Brahmaṇe Namaḥ Cakra Sarasvatī Ketu
Ananta Nadir Oṃ Aṃ Anantāya Namaḥ Padma Lakṣmī Lagna

Kubera (also Kuvera or Kuber) is the god of wealth and the lord of Uttaradisha in Hindu mythology. ... It has been suggested that Yanluo be merged into this article or section. ... In the Devanāgarī script, the danda (दंड, lit. ... Indra is also the name of a song by the Thievery Corporation. ... Padmasambhava holds the vajra in his right hand. ... This article is about the god. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. ... Agni is a Hindu deity. ... In Hinduism, Vayu (also known as Pavan) is a primary god, father of Bhima and Hanuman. ... In Hinduism, Nirrith is one of the Ashta-Dikpalas, representing the southwest. ... A rakshasa (Sanskrit: रक्षस, rakṣasa; alternately, raksasa or rakshas) is a demon or unrighteous spirit in Hinduism. ... The legend of Mahabharata sword appears in the Shantiparva of Mahabharata. ... Brahma carving at a temple in Halebid. ... Sikhs with chakrams, inscribed Nihang Abchal Nagar (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844 The chakram is a throwing weapon that was used by the ancient Indians; it is basically a flat metal ring with a sharp outer edge from 5 to 12 inches in diameter. ... In Hindu mythology, Ketu is generally referred to as a shadow planet. ... Ananta is a sanskrit derived name meaning without end, or the the infinite one. Ananta was a spiritually based progressive rock band fronted by Ilan Chester. ...

Lokapālas

In Hinduism the Guardians of the four cardinal directions are called the Lokapālas. They are: Hinduism {Sanskrit/Hindi - HindÅ« Dharma, also known as Sanātana (eternal) Dharma, and Vaidika (of the Vedas) Dharma} is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas and the beliefs of other people of India. ... In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lokapala (Skt. ...

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. Kubera (also Kuvera or Kuber) is the god of wealth and the lord of Uttaradisha in Hindu mythology. ... This article is about the deity Yama in Hinduism. ... Indra is also the name of a song by the Thievery Corporation. ... This article is about the god. ...


Reference

Ganesha as enshrined in Shri Mangesh Temple in Priol, Goa. ...

See also


It has been suggested that Four Guardian Gods be merged into this article or section. ...

Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa
Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Subrahmanya | Venkateshwara | Vitthala | Indra | Surya | more...
Female Deities: Gayatri | Saraswati | Lakshmi | Parvati | Dakshayani | Durga | Shakti | Kali | Sita | Vaishno Devi | Radha | more...
Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata


 

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