Lokapalas
LOKAPALAS.
[Source:
Dowson's Classical Dictionary
of Hindu Mythology] Supporters
or guardians of the world. The guardian deities who preside over the
eight points of the compass, i.e., the four cardinal and
four intermediate points of the compass:--(1.) Indra,
east; (2.) Agni, southeast;
(3.) Yama, south; (4.) Surya, southwest; (5.) Varuna,
west; (6.) Vayu, northwest;
(7.) Kuvera, north; (8.) Soma,
northeast. Nirriti is by some substituted for No. 4, and Prithivi or Siva,
expecially in his form Isana, for No. 8. Each of these guardian deities has
an elephant who takes part in the defence and protection of the quarter, and
these eight elephants are themselves called Lokapalas:--(1.)
Indra's elephant at the east is Airavata.
He is also called Abhramatanga, 'elephant of the clouds;' Arkasodara, 'brother
of the sun;' Nagamalla, 'the fighting elephant;' Sadadana, 'always in rut;'
Madambara, 'covered with ichor.' His wife's name is Abhramu. (2.) Agni's
elephant at the southeast is Pundarika and his female
Kapila. (3.) Yama's at the south is Vamana and his
female Pingala. (4.) Surya's
at the southwest is Kumuda and his female is Anupama.
(5.) Varuna's at the west
is Anjana, whose female is Anjanavati. (6.) Vayu's
at the northwest is Pushpadanta, whose female is Subhadanti. (7.) Kuvera's
at the north is Sarvabhauma; and and (8.) Soma's elephant
at the northeast is Supratika. The two other females are
Anjana and Tamrakarni, whose spouses are doubtful.
Anjanavati is sometimes assigned to Supratika. In the Ramayana (1.) Indra's
eastern elephant is called Virupaksha; (2.) Varuna's
elephant at the west, Saumanasa; (3.) Yama's at the south is Mahapadma, and
(4.) Kuvera's at the north is Himapandara.
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Modern
Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D.
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October 16, 2007 12:22 PM
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