Dhritarashtra
figure in Buddhist mythology, and one of the Four Heavenly Kings From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
figure in Buddhist mythology, and one of the Four Heavenly Kings From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dhritarashtra (Sanskrit: धृतराष्ट्र, Dhṛtarāṣṭra) or Dhatarattha (Pali: धतरट्ठ Dhataraṭṭha) is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and an important person in Buddhism.
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The name Dhṛtarāṣṭra comes from two Sanskrit words: "dhṛta" (possessing; bearing) and "rāṣṭra" (kingdom; territory).[1]
Dhṛtarāṣṭra is the guardian god of the East. He lives on the eastern part of Mount Sumeru. He is leader of the gandharvas and the pishacas.
He is often shown in art playing a stringed instrument.
In the Pāli writings of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Dhṛtarāṣṭra is called Dhataraṭṭha. Dhataraṭṭha is one of the Four Great Kings, each one of which rules over a direction. Vessavaṇa's direction is the eastern quarter of the world.
He has many sons called "Indra." He also has a daughter named Sirī.[2]
In Japan, Jikokuten (持国天) is often shown wearing a suit of armor. He usually holds a sword and a trident while standing on top of a demon called a jaki.[3]
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