Cāturmahārājakāyika
First deva world, ruled by the Four Heavenly Kings.
Cāturmahārājakāyika is the first world of the devas in Buddhist cosmology, located in the Kāmadhātu. It is ruled by the Four Heavenly Kings, who govern the four cardinal directions and oversee various classes of beings. This heaven is notable as the lowest of the heavens that maintains a physical connection with the human world.
Quick Facts
- Pali
- Cātummahārājika
- Location
- Slopes of Mount Sumeru
- Rulers
- Four Heavenly Kings (Cāturmahārāja)
- Higher authority
- Śakra of Trāyastriṃśa
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- In Japan, the Four Heavenly Kings are portrayed wearing armor, holding weapons, and trampling on demons.
- Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings are placed at the four corners of the main altar (Shumidan).
- The representations in the Ordination Hall (Kaidanin) of Tōdai-ji are especially famous.
Description
The Chāturmahārājakāyika heaven sits as the first realm in the Kāmadhātu and is the lowest heaven that still has a physical link to the human world. It lies on the slopes of Mount Sumeru, though some devas live inside the mountain itself or in the sky around it. Its most famous inhabitants are the Four Heavenly Kings, who answer to Śakra in the higher Trāyastriṃśa heaven and watch over the four cardinal directions. Dhṛtarāṣṭra guards the east and commands the gandharvas and piśācas.
Virūḍhaka guards the south and leads the kumbhāṇḍas and pretas. Virūpākṣa guards the west and governs the nāgas and pūtanas. Vaiśravaṇa guards the north and controls the yakṣas and rākṣasas. Many of these beings have been compared to spirits, gods, goblins, trolls, and fairies from Western folklore.
Other residents include garuḍas, the Khiddāpadosikā, Manopadosikā, Sitavalāhakā, and Unhavalāhakā devas, as well as Parjanya, Maṇimekhalā, the sun god Sūrya, and the moon god Candra.
More in Buddhist Cosmology
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