A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

105 Lopä
come into existence without human
intervention.
Liöga Puräæa
One of the Ÿaiva Puräæas, containing
many stories about Ÿiva LI¢GAS (3).
Liægäyat(s)
A sect of Ÿaivas reformed by Basava
(12th century), also called Vïra-ÿaivas
(heroic Ÿaivas), that insists on each of its
members always wearing a small LI¢GA
(3) on their body to remind them of
their innate Ÿiva nature. Liögäyats
emphasize the equality of men and
women, do not recognize CASTE differences
and give great importance to productive
work and social responsibility.
They bury their dead, instead of cremating
them, as most Hindus do. They are
found mainly in today’s Karæätaka.
lobha (‘greed’)
One of the three ‘root sins’ or ‘gates to
hell’, which must be overcome to
achieve LIBERATION. (See also KRODHA;
MOHA.)
loka (‘world’, ‘universe’)
The Vedic TRILOKA (‘three worlds’) consists
of earth, heaven and hell. The
Puräæic universe is subdivided into a
great many different lokas: the upper
regions consist of Satyaloka (the realm
of Brahmä), Tapoloka, Janaloka and
Maharloka; the middle regions, also
called ‘regions of the consequences of
work’, are Svarloka (planets), Bhuvarloka
(sky) and Bhuloka (earth). The
region of the netherworlds is subdivided
into eight lokas, below which there are
28 NÄRAKAS (hells) in which sinners
receive punishment according to their
deeds. Over and above these lokas the
various saƒpradäyas (sects) have their
own sectarian cosmologies: for Vai•æavas,
Vaikuæflha is the supreme heaven of
Vi•æu; for Ÿaivas, Kailäsa is Ÿiva’s
abode; Ÿäktas believe that Devï resides
in MAŒIDVÏPA.
Lokäloka (‘world and no world’)
The outermost ring of mountains, separating
the visible world from the sphere
of darkness.
loka-päla
Guardians of the world; the eight deities
that preside over the eight points of the
compass: Indra (east); Agni (south-east);
Yama (south); Sürya (south-west),
Varuæa (west); Väyu (north-west);
Kubera (north); Soma (north-east).
Each of the LOKAPÄLAS has an elephant
who assists in the defence of the respective
quarter. Indra’s elephant is
Airävata. (See also DIG-GAJA.)
loka-saögraha
(‘well-being of the world’)
Expression used by Kø•æa in the
Bhagavadgïtä to explain the motivation
of his activity in this world.
Lomahar•aæa, also
Romahar•aæa
A pupil of VYÄSA who recited several
major Puräæas to ŸAUNAKA.
Lopä, also Lopämudrä,
Kauÿïtakï, Varapradä
A girl fashioned by AGASTYA from the
most beautiful parts of different animals,
so as to have the most desirable
wife. She grew up as the daughter of the
king of Vidarbha. Before consenting to
marry Agastya she demanded great
wealth which Agastya finally obtained
from the demon Ilvala.