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The Guardians of the Directions (Sanskrit Dikpālas / दिक्पाल) are the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hinduism and Vajrayāna Buddhism - especially Kālacakra. When with eight deities, they're called Aṣṭa-Dikpālas / 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-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:
[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.
[edit] Lokapālas
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
