The Dikpalas are used in Hinduism as guardians of the cardinal directions and guardians of the

sacred worship space. The first six gods mentioned above are older gods that appeared in the
Vedas, while Kubera and Isana are from folk cults predating the Vedas (Morgan 72-73). In
temples, each corresponding god is represented in each corresponding cardinal direction. For
example, Yama would be portrayed in the southern area of the temple and Indra in the East.

A Hindu practitioner would salute the guardians during the beginning of the ritual. This is
commonly done in parts, depending on how elaborate the ritual is. First, each guardian is
invoked into his or her specific cardinal point starting with Indra in the east. Next, the attributes
of the directional guardians can be invoked (Buhnemann 65). They correspond as follows: East
– the thunderbolt (vajra), southeast – the spear (sakti), south – the staff (danda), southwest –
the sword (khadga), west – the noose (pasa), northwest – the goad (ankusa), north – the mace
(gada), northeast – the trident (trisula), zenith – the lotus (padma), and nadir – the wheel
(cakra) (Buhnemann 65).