चतुर्महाराज

[thumb|250px|कोरियामि ग्वाङमोक चेओन्वाङ (Gwangmok Cheonwang) वा [विरुपाक्षया मूर्ति]]

बुद्ध धर्मया मिथकय् चतुर्महाराज वा ४म्ह जुजु हलिमया प्यंगु दिशाय् रक्षा याइपिं प्यम्ह द्यः ख।  

## नामाकरण
जुजुतयेगु मंका नां थ्व कथं दु-

## ४म्ह आलौकिक जुजु
The Four Heavenly Kings are said to currently live in the **Cāturmahārājika** heaven (Pāli **Cātummahārājika**, "Of the Four Great Kings") on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the Kāmadhātu.  They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. 

Further associations between the four directions and elements, seasons, planets, animals, internal organs, etc. can be found at Five elements (Chinese philosophy).  Note, however, that the colors assigned to the Four Heavenly Kings represent an independent tradition and do not correspond to the traditional Chinese association of colors and directions.

All four serve , the lord of the devas of . On the 8th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month, the Four Heavenly Kings either send out messengers or go themselves to see how virtue and morality are faring in the world of men. Then they report upon the state of affairs to the assembly of the  devas.  

On the orders of Śakra, the four kings and their retinues stand guard to protect  from another attack by the Asuras, which once threatened to destroy the kingdom of the devas. They are also vowed to protect the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Buddha's followers from danger. 

center|thumb|500px|Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. From left to right: , , , and .

According to Vasubandhu, devas born in the **Cāturmahārājika** heaven are 1/4 of a **krośa** in height (about 750 feet tall). They also have a five-hundred year lifespan, of which each day is equivalent to 50 years in our world; thus their total lifespan amounts to about nine million years (other sources say 90,000 years). 

thumb|right|Painting of Kōmokuten (), the Guardian of the West (one of the Four Guardian Kings). 13th century.

In Chinese they are known collectively as "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" (風調雨順 / 风调雨顺), which translates into "Good Climate".  This mnemonic reminds one of the symbols the Heavenly Kings carry.  For instance, "Fēng" sounds like the Chinese word for "edge" (鋒 / 锋), hence the corresponding symbol is a sword. "Tiáo" sounds like "Tune", hence the corresponding symbol is a musical instrument. "Yǔ" means "rain", hence the corresponding symbol is an umbrella.  "Shùn" refers to the symbol of a crimson dragon (赤龍 / 赤龙).

These symbols also link the deities to their followers; for instance, the nāgas, magical creatures who can change form between human and serpent, are led by , represented by a snake; the gandharvas are celestial musicians, led by , represented with a lute.  The umbrella was a symbol of regal sovereignty in ancient India, and the sword is a symbol of martial prowess.  's mongoose, which ejects jewels from its mouth, is said to represent generosity in opposition to greed.


Jikoji jikokuten.JPG|Jikoku-ten (east)
Jikoji zochoten.JPG|Zōjō-ten (south)
Jikoji komokuten.JPG|Kōmoku-ten (west)
Jikoji tamonten.JPG|Tamon-ten (north)


## स्वयादिसँ
* Guardians of the directions

## लिधंसा
* Chaudhuri, Saroj Kumar. *Hindu Gods and Goddesses in Japan*. New Delhi: Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd., 2003. ISBN 8179360091.
* Nakamura, Hajime. *Japan and Indian Asia: Their Cultural Relations in the Past and Present*. Calcutta: Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay, 1961. Pp.&nbsp;1–31.
* Potter, Karl H., ed. *The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies*, volume 9. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1970–. ISBN 8120819683, ISBN 8120803078 (set).
* Thakur, Upendra. *India and Japan: A Study in Interaction During 5th cent.–14th cent. A.D.*. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications, 1992. ISBN 8170172896. Pp.&nbsp;27–41.

पुचः:बुद्ध धर्म
पुचः:लोकपाल