Guardians of the directions

The Guardians of the Directions (Sanskrit: दिक्पाल, Dikpāla) are the deities who rule the specific directions of space according to Hinduism and Buddhism—especially {{IAST|Kālacakra}}. As a group of eight deities, they are called (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 . In Hinduism it is traditional to represent their images on the walls and ceilings of Hindu temples.
==Names and attributes==
The names of the Dikpālas vary slightly, but generally include the following: 
Name 	Direction	Mantra	Weapon 	Consort	Graha(Planet) 	Guardian Matrika
Kubera 	North 	 	(mace) 	 	Budha (Mercury) 	Kumari
Yama 	South 	 	(staff) 	 	(Mars) 	Varahi
Indra 	East 	 	Vajra (thunderbolt)	 	(Sun) 	Aindri
 	West 	 	(noose) 	 	(Saturn) 	Varuni
 	Northeast	 	(trident) 	 	Brihaspati (Jupiter) 	Māheśvarī
Agni 	Southeast	 	(Spear) 	 	(Venus) 	Meshavahini
 	Northwest	 	(goad) 	 	(Moon) 	Mrigavahini
(sometimes )	Southwest	 	(sword) 	 	(North Lunar Node) 	Khadagadharini
 	Nadir 	 	(discus) 	 	Lagna 	Vaishnavi
 	Zenith 	 	Padma (lotus) 	 	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 	, Pratīchi, Apara
North 	Uttara, Udīchi
South 	Dakshina, Avāchi
North-East	Īśānya
South-East	Āgneya
North-West	Vāyavya
South-West	
Zenith 	
Nadir 	Adho
==Lokapālas==
In Hinduism the Guardians of the four cardinal directions are called the s (लोकपाल). They are:
* Kubera (north)
* Yama (south)
* Indra (east)
* (west) 
Images of the 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.
==References==
*Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
*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
==See also==
*Four Heavenly Kings
 
Category:Buddhist cosmology
Category:Hindu deities
Category:Hindu gods
Category:Lokapalas
Category:Sanskrit words and phrases
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