Ashta Dikpalas


	Asta Dikpalas
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They are the eight deities ruling over the eight quarters of the universe. Though frequently mentioned, they are rarely worshipped. They are mostly represented on
the central panel of the ceiling in the Mahamary<;lapa (chief pavilion) of a temple.

Indra, Yama, Varurya and Kubera are the deities that rule over the east, south, west and north.

The intermediate directions are ruled by Agni (south-east), Niqti (south¬west), Vayu (north-west) and Isana (north-east).
Indra, Yama, Varurya, Agni and Vayu have already been dealt with in the fourth chapter on Vedic Gods.

Niqti is said to be the chief of the demons. He may be shown riding on a donkey, a lion or a man and surrounded by the demons and seven apsaras.
Kubera, the king of the Yakshas (a kind of demigods) is famous as the lord of wealth. He is often depicted as riding on the shoulders of man or in a carriage drawn by
men. Ram or elephant also can be his mount. Two Nidhis (personified treasures) are shown by his side. Isana is an aspect of Siva.

The names of the Dikpālas vary slightly, but generally include the following:

Name	Direction	Mantra	Weapon	Consort	Graha (Planet)	Guardian Matrika
Kubera	North	Oṃ Shaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ	Gadā (mace)	Kuberajāyā	Budha (Mercury)	Kumari
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)	Varuni
Īśāna	Northeast	Oṃ Haṃ Īśānāya Namaḥ	Triśūla (trident)	Parvati	Brihaspati (Jupiter)	Māheśvarī
Agni	Southeast	Oṃ Raṃ Agnaye Namaḥ	Śakti(Spear)	Svāhā	Śukra (Venus)	Meshavahini
Vāyu	Northwest	Oṃ Yaṃ Vayuve Namaḥ	Aṅkuśa (goad)	Bharati	Chandra (Moon)	Mrigavahini
Nirṛti (sometimes Rakṣasa)	Southwest	Oṃ Kṣaṃ Rakṣasāya Namaḥ	Khaḍga (sword)	Khaḍgī	Rāhu (North Lunar Node)	Khadagadharini
Viṣṇu	Nadir	Oṃ Klim Vishnave Namaḥ	Chakra (discus)	Lakṣmī	Lagna	Vaishnavi
Brahmā	Zenith	Oṃ Hriṃ Brahmaṇe Namaḥ	Padma (lotus)	Sarasvatī	Ketu (South Lunar Node)	Brahmani

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

Lokapālas

In Hinduism the Guardians of the four cardinal directions are called the Lokapālas (लोकपाल). They are:

Kubera (north)
Yama (south)
Indra (east)
Varuṇa (west)

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.