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Ashta-Dikpalas

In Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism - especially Kalachakra, the Ashta-Dikpalas are the eight gods who rule the 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 Dasha Dikpala. They are:

Name Direction Mantra Weapon Consort Planet
Agni Southeast Om Ram Agnaye Namah Shakti Swaha Mars
Eesana Northeast Om Ham Eesanaya Namah Trishula Ishanajaya Rahu
Indra East Om Lam Indraya Namah Vajra Saci Sun
Kubera North Om Sham Kuberaya Namah Gada Kuberajaya Moon
Nirrith (sometimes Rakshasa) Southwest Om Ksam Raksasaya Namah Khadga Khadgi Mercury
Varuna West Om Vam Varunaya Namah Pasa Varunajaya Venus
Yama South Om Mam Yamaya Namah Danda Varahajaya Jupiter
Vayu Northwest Om Yam Vayuve Namah Ankusha Vayujaya Saturn
Brahma Zenith Om Hrim Brahmane Namah Chakra Lakshmi Ketu
Ananta Nadir Om Am Anantaya Namah Padma Saraswati Lagna


The gods of the cardinal directors, Indra, Varuna, Yama and Kubera, are also known as the Lokapalas.

Last updated: 01-04-2007 01:18:57
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