Difference between revisions of "Kṣetrapala"
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[[File:ksetrapala.jpg|thumb|Kṣetrapala]] | [[File:ksetrapala.jpg|thumb|Kṣetrapala]] | ||
| − | The Kṣetrapāla occupies an important place among the subsidiary deities in the temples of Śiva . He is the chief guardian of the temple. His appearance can be described as below: | + | The Kṣetrapāla occupies an important place among the subsidiary [[deities]] in the [[temples]] of [[Śiva]] . He is the chief guardian of the temple. His appearance can be described as below: |
* His idol is usually naked. | * His idol is usually naked. | ||
* He has protruding eyes. | * He has protruding eyes. | ||
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* He is accompanied by a dog. | * He is accompanied by a dog. | ||
* He is worshiped first before commencing the regular service of the day. | * He is worshiped first before commencing the regular service of the day. | ||
| − | * He seems to be an aspect of Bhairava. | + | * He seems to be an aspect of [[Bhairava]]. |
* He may have three aspects according to the three guṇas: | * He may have three aspects according to the three guṇas: | ||
| − | # Sattva | + | # [[Sattva]] |
# Rajas | # Rajas | ||
# Tamas | # Tamas | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| − | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore | + | * The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram [[Krishna]] Math, Bangalore |
[[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | [[Category:Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:04, 17 December 2016
By Swami Harshananda
Sometimes transliterated as: Ksetrapala, KSetrapala, Kshetrapala
Kṣetrapala literally means ‘guardian of the site’.
The Kṣetrapāla occupies an important place among the subsidiary deities in the temples of Śiva . He is the chief guardian of the temple. His appearance can be described as below:
- His idol is usually naked.
- He has protruding eyes.
- He exhibits sharp fangs in the mouth.
- He has disheveled hair.
- Snakes are his ornaments.
- He is shown with two or four or even six hands carrying:
- Sword
- Bell
- Trident
- Noose
- Skull-cup
- Fire
- He stands on a lotus.
- He is accompanied by a dog.
- He is worshiped first before commencing the regular service of the day.
- He seems to be an aspect of Bhairava.
- He may have three aspects according to the three guṇas:
- Sattva
- Rajas
- Tamas
- He can also be an independent deity with his own shrine usually set up in the north-eastern corner of the village or town.
- His shrine should not face east.
References
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore