Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra (Sanskrit: धृतराष्ट्र, Dhṛtarāṣṭra) or Dhatarattha (Pali: धतरट्ठ Dhataraṭṭha) is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and an important person in Buddhism.

Statue of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Renge-in Tanjō-ji, Tamana, Japan

Buddhism


Basic terms

People

Schools

Practices

Name

The name Dhṛtarāṣṭra comes from two Sanskrit words: "dhṛta" (possessing; bearing) and "rāṣṭra" (kingdom; territory).[1]

Character

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.

Theravada

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]

Japan

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]

References
  1. "Dhṛtarāṣṭra". Wisdom Library. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  2. "Dhatarattha". Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  3. "Jikokuten 持国天". JAANUS. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
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