Ashtadikpalakas In Service of Brahmotsavams
The Ashtadikpalakas are eight in number. As their collective name suggests, they rule the eight quarters or the eight directions of the universe. Ashta means eight, “dik” means quarters or directions and” pālaks “means rulers.
According to Padma Purana, long long ago at the time of starting Kaliyuga, sacred Narayanadri was located in Jambudweepam in Bharat. Lord Srinivasa incarnated on the hills, situated on the southern side of the River Ganges at a distance of two hundred yojanas and on the eastern side at a distance of five yojanas on the bank of Swami Pushkarini towards the western side, in Kanya Bhadrapada masa on Ekadasi, Monday, in Sravana star in an auspicious muhurta.
Brahma and other devatas had the darshan of Lord Srinivasa. They wished to perform Utsavas and when asked the Lord, he gave his acceptance. Accordingly, Brahma organized a nine-day festival and made arrangements for Vahana sevas to be taken in a procession.
The first day, called Dwajarohanam, hoisting a Flag on Dwajasthabam, depicted with a picture, inviting all Devatas to participate in pooja and worship. Prominent among them Dikpalakas were also invited. Later they became popular as ‘Ashtadikpalakas’.
Accordingly, they came to Tirumala and took their positions in all eight directions in four mada streets. They have to protect the Lord from evil eye (Sight) and forces, while the Lord is moving on Vahana sevas in a procession. Because Lord is being decorated with the ornaments, given by Brahma and Kubera.
It is essential to know about Ashtadikpalakas and their role in Brahmotsavams.
- East,
- South,
- West,
- North
Four dikhs (Directions) i.e.
- Agneya (South-East),
- Nairuthi (South-West),
- Vayavya (North-West), and
- Isanya (North-East)
are four corners or sub-corners. These eight are Ashtadikpalakas in total. Let us know about the Lords of eight directions in detail.
Detailed description of Ashtadikpalakas
Indradeva
He is praised as a King to Devas in Vedas. He is the Lord of East direction. He is the son of Aditi. Sachidevi is his wife. His weapon is Vajrayudha. His Vahanam is Iravatam(Elephant). He stays in Amaravathi. He possesses an Elephant named ‘Iravatam’ and a horse named ‘Ucchisravam’, born from Ksheerasagaram.
He defeated Danavas in the Deva-Asura battle and Devas felt happy about their success. Parabrahma appeared in space as light with higher brightness at that time. Devas wondered after seeing the brightness and tried to know about the light.
First Agni and Next Vayu went to know about the brightness but returned in vain. Later Indra went to that place, but the Rupam (Shape) disappeared. Umadevi was found in that place. Indra questioned Uma about the disappeared Yaksha. She replied that he was Parabrahma and with his blessings only you won the battle.
Indra acknowledged thanks and prayed for Parabrahma. Indra, Agni and Vayu went to see Parabrahma, and that’s why they became popular. Indra knew about Parabrahma, he became King of Devas and Lord of Devalokas.
Agnideva
Agni is one among the Panchabhutas (Five elements). He is Lord of Agneya (South-East) direction. Tejaswi (Very bright).
- His Rupam (Shape) is with Seven hands,
- Four horns,
- Seven tounges
- Two heads, and
- Clean and Smiling.
Vaiswanara is his father’s name. Suchishmati is his mother. His wife is Swahadevi. His weapon is Sakthi. His vahanam is ‘Sheep’. He stays in Tejovathi town.
Agni was born from Siva amsa. When he was a child, Narada saw him and told him that he was having a dangerous curse in his twelfth year. With the permission of his parents, he went to Kasi Kshetram and did severe penance for Siva.
Indra came to Agni to give boons. Agni rejected the proposal and said that he wouldn’t stop penance till Siva appears. Angered Indra severely beaten with Vajrayudha, till he went into a Coma.
Later Siva appeared and gave several boons. He blessed him to be the Lord of Agneya. Agni is one of the Vasus. Even though he eats all good or bad substances, he is sacred. His profession is to distribute havya among devatas. He is the First Sakthi to know about Parabrahma, hence he is worshipped by all Lokas and became great among devatas.
Yamadeva
He is the Lord of Pitruganas. He is the ruler of the South direction.
- Surya is his father.
- Sanjanadevi is his mother.
- Syamaladevi is his wife.
‘Danda’ is his weapon. Mahisha (Buffalo) is his vahanam. He Stays in Saranyamana town. He is very Cruel but familiar as Dharmatma.
River Yamuna is his sister. Chitraguptha, Writer, Chanda, Maha Chanda are his servants.
He is a capable ruler, who can differentiate between Dharma and Adharma. He is well-versed in protecting justice. He gives Punishments to Sinners. He has another name Samavarthi. Saneswara is his stepbrother. His appearance is ferocious. He likes the ‘Banyan’ tree.
Niruti deva
He is the Lord of ‘Nairuti (South-West)’ direction. He is Adhipathi for all Lokas. He is gentle, noble. ‘Deerghadevi’ is his wife. ‘Kuntam’ is his weapon. ‘Man’ is his vahanam. He stays in ‘Krishnangana’ town. His name is ‘Pingalaksha’ in his previous birth. without accepting a hereditary profession he lived with good behaviour, but his uncle Daruka is a great cruel person. Daruka attacked a group of travellers along with his followers and beat them with various weapons.
After hearing for help, Pingalaksha arrived and did battle with his paternal uncle to protect the travellers. In that battle, Daraka and his followers killed Pingalaksha with arrows. Naturally, Pingalaksha has had a helping tendency. He is an orthodox, well behaviour, dharmatma, died like that and went to punyalokas.
Since he has good qualities, being appointed as the Lord of Nairuti and became familiar.
Varunadeva
The Lord of the West, who is invited to distribute havirbhaghas at the time of performing yagas. He is the Lord of water.
- Kardama Prajapati is his father.
- His wife is Kalika Devi.
- His weapon is Pasam.
Crocodile is his vahanam. He stays in Sraddavathi town. He has another name Suchishmantha.
When he was a child went along with his friends to play on the bank of a lake, then a Crocodile swallowed him and took him to Samudra.
A friend informed Kardama about the incident. Kardama is doing penance with devotion. Lord Siva sent his soldier to Samudra for another job, there he saw Suchishmantha and enquired why he was brought here? When Samudra knew that he was the son of Kardama, feared and sent the boy to Siva.
Siva sent the boy to Kardama. Because of the darshan of Siva, Suchishmantha got Gnana. Taking permission from his father, he went to Kasi to do penance for Siva. Lord Siva felt happy and asked him to have boons. Then he asked to give Varunapatham. Accordingly, Siva blessed him. Suchishmantha became Varuna and Lord of Varuna loka. Thus he became familiar.
References in Ramayana and Mahabharata
Varuna Devta’s presence is prominent in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the Ramayana, he is known to have appeased Lord Rama when the latter was about to unleash the Bhramastra on the ocean. Additionally, he supported Lord Krishna after Krishna’s victory over him in battle, gifting celestial weapons like the Sudarshana Chakra to Krishna and the Gandiva Bow to Arjuna before the Mahabharata war.
Varuna Devta’s story demonstrates his evolution from a cosmic ruler to a god associated with water, knowledge, and wisdom. His influence transcends borders and cultures, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of humanity. So, as the rain pours in Coimbatore, take a moment to ponder the enigmatic God Varuna and the depth of his legacy in Bharat and beyond.
“Om Jala-Bimbaya Vidmahe
Varunaaya Dheemahi
Tanno Varuna Prachodayat”
This mantra is a profound invocation to Varuna, seeking his blessings and guidance. Chant it with reverence and focus, allowing the sacred vibrations to resonate with your inner self and draw the divine energy of Varuna into your life, bringing peace, purification, and protection, especially during the rainy season.
Vayudeva
He is one among Panchabhoothas (Five elements). Omnipresent and very strong. He is the Lord of Vayavya (North-West) direction. He is the fundamental source of living creatures. After getting boons from Siva, he became Lord of Dikh and possessed with pranapanadi panchamurtymatvam, Sarvagatvam, Sarvasatva bhodakatvam like good qualities.
He is a Brahmin named Pootatma in his previous birth.
He is an agnatic cousin of Maharshi Kasyapa. Anjanadevi is his wife. Flag is his weapon. ‘Deer’ is his vahanam. He stays in Gandhavati town. He fell in love with Anjana, the daughter of Kunjara.
She gave birth to a son named Anjaneya with the blessings of Vayudeva without any disturbance to her chastity. Anjaneya is the hereditary son of Vayudeva. He appears in several places in various historical and mythological puranas. He is the best friend of Agni.
Kuberadeva
He is loved by all devatas. He is the Lord of North direction. Most rich and fortunate.
- His father is Visravobrahma.
- Ilabila is his mother.
- Chitrarekha Devi is his wife.
His weapon is a Sword. His vahanam is ‘Horse’. He resides in Alakapuri town. Ravana Brahma is his stepbrother. He did penance for Brahma Deva. He is blessed with a pretty son Nalakubera and Lord of all lokas, riches, having friendship with Sankara, possessed Lanka town.
Accordingly, Brahma fulfilled all his desires. Moreover, he gave Pushpaka vimana, a divine vimana. The stepbrother Ravana became proud of having boons, started hurting lokas, torturing his brother Kubera and took away Pushpaka vimana, an occupied Lanka town.
Kubera approached Siva, Who presented Alakapuri town. The Lord of Kaliyuga Sri Venkateswara Swami asked Kubera to give money as a loan at the time of his marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi. Then he gave money keeping the banyan tree as a witness. That’s why Lord is remitting interest till today to Kubera.
Having blessings of Maha Lakshmi Kubera is a true dharmatma and dhanyatma.
Esaanya
The Lord of Esaanya (North-East) direction is Paramasiva. Jagadamba Parvati is his wife. Trisula is his weapon. Vrishaba is his vahanam. He stays in Yasovati town. Parvati and Parameswara are considered Adidampatis.
He gives boons to his devotees instantly, that’s why he became popular as ‘Bhola Sankara.’
He has great strength. He is one among Trimurthies. He is selfindependent. He is worshipped by bhootha ganas, contains third eye to make others into ashes instantly. He is Layakartha. He resides in Kailasam.
When Garalam (Severe Poison) came out from Sagara, he swallowed it and kept it in his throat to protect all Lokas. He is Omnipotent. He is having the capacity to give Agrahaha and anugraha.
He is a close friend of Vishnu. Cursed by Maharshi Bhrighu, he is being worshipped in Linga shape. He is worshipped by all, poojaneya and abhinandaneeya.
We have to remember Ashtadikpalakas and their services in the Lord’s Brahmotsavams and make our lives blessed.
