The Heaven of the Four Divine Kings

The heaven of the Four Divine Kings (Maha Rajas or Deva Rajas) is the lowest of the heavens in the Realm of Desire.

It is the realm of the guardians of heaven, led by the four generals of Sakra Devendra who battle against evil and the Asuras that are ever trying to disrupt the peace and contentment of heaven. Each of the Four Divine Kings is said to rule over one of the continents in the four quarters below heaven, protecting the people there and keeping the Asuras at bay. Each sits atop a mountain peak that is the highest point of their continent.

The Four Divine Kings report to Sakra Devendra, the will of heaven and ruler of the secular world who sits atop Mount Sumeru, which is at the center of the world. As the reporters of good & evil they are called the Lokapalas (Guardians of the World) or Rastrapalas (Guardins of the Nation). There are said to be special days that they report, including:

• The Posadha or Uposatha; the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th, & 30^th (or 1^st) day of the lunar month - Two days each for the full & new moons, & one day each for the first & the last quarter moon; when the spiritual forces, good (gods) & bad (demons) are most busy. Many observe these days with a post-noon fast.
• The Three Reports; A day in the first, fifth and ninth month of the year
• The Eight Investigations; Corresponding with the 'Eight Royal Days' of the year, on the first days of each of the seasons and on the days of the solstices and equinoxes - in ancient times these did necessarily fall on the same days.

Statues of thse four generals are often seen guarding the four gates of Buddhist temples, and Buddhist mandalas often have them posted at each of the four corners guarding the sacred space.

The Four Divine Kings:

Mythology & Representation of the Four Kings

Virudhaka, (literally 'Sprouting Growth'), lord of the south, is the king of the Kumbhandas (demons shaped like gourds, or with a scrotum like one, and who drain the vitality of men). He is often depicted holding a sword and trampling a demon. His helmet is often shown as being mde from the skin of elephant's head.

Dhritirastra, (literally, 'Guardian of the Nation'), lord of the east, is the king of the Gandharvas, celestial musicians and feeders on fragrance. He is often depicted holding a sword and a stringed musical instrument (representing the Gandharvas).

Vaisravana ('Son of Visravas', the Famous or Renown), lord of the north, is the best known and most venerated of the Divine Kings. He is said to have practiced austerities for a thousand years and for doing so been rewarded by Brahma with great wealth . Hence he is also called Kuvera, the 'God of Wealth'. In his palace in the Himalayas (Alaka) he is attended by Yaksas (guardians of the earth's treasures) and Kinnaras (horse headed celestial musicians - analogous to the Greek centaurs). He has 28 Yaksas as generals in his army, their chief being Pancika, whose consort is Hariti. Statues of Vaisravana often show him with a sword, trident or banner (represent his triumphs) in his right hand and a vessel or stupa containing treasure in his left. Sometimes he is shown holding a mongoose, representing his victory over the Nagas.

Virupaksa, (literally 'Ugly Eyes', 'Deformed Eyes, or 'The Evil-Eye'), lord of the west, is the king of the Nagas (Serpents or Dragons). He is also called 'Wide Eyed'' or 'Three Eyed'. He personifies the awareness of evil. He is often depicted holding a jewel in the form of a reliquery in his right hand (representing his remembrance) and a serpent in his left (representing the power of the serpent).

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