A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.992

c5.992

LOKA-PĀLAS. 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, south-east; (3.) Yama, south; (4.) Sūrya, south-west; (5.) Varuna, west; (6.) Vāyu, north-west; (7.) Kuvera, north; (8.) Soma, north-east. Nirriti is by some substituted for No. 4, and Prithivī or Siva, especially in his form Īsāna, 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 Loka-pālas :—(1.) Indra’s elephant at the east is Airāvata. He is also called Abhra-mātanga, ‘elephant of the clouds;’ Arka-sodara, ‘brother of the sun;’ Nāga-malla, ‘the fighting elephant;’ Sadā-dāna, ‘always in rut;’ Madāmbara, ‘covered with ichor.’ His wife’s name is Abhramu. (2.) Agni’s elephant at the south-east is Pundarīka and his female Kapilā. (3.) Yama’s at the south is Vāmana and his female Pingalā. (4.) Sūrya’s at the south-west is Kumuda and his female Anupamā. (5.) Varuna’s at the west is Anjana, whose female is Anjanavatī. (6.) Vāyu’s at the north-west is Pushpa-danta, whose female is Subha-dantī. (7.) Kuvera’s at the north is Sārva-bhauma; and (8.) Soma’s at the north-east is Su-pratīka. The two other females are Anjanā and Tāmra-karnī, whose spouses are doubtful. Anjanāvatī is sometimes assigned to Su-pratīka. In the Rāmāyana (1.) Indra’s eastern elephant is called Virūpāksha; (2.) Varuna’s elephant at the west, Saumanasa; (3.) Yama’s at the south is Mahā-padma, and (4.) Kuvera’s at the north is Hima-pāndara.