Spirit Lords of the Soil

Spirit Lords of the Soil (sa bdag)

• The spirit lords of the soil (Skt. bhūmipati) are a class of geomantic forces whose position rotates- in some cases according to the years of the sexagenary calendar, and in others according to the months of the year, the days of the month, and the hours of the day. Foremost among them are King Thi-se, and his courtiers who form the principal spirit lords of the years. It is important that the subterranean locations of the spirit lords should be known at the time of constructing a building or three-dimensional maṇḍala, and when entering into specific activities. For a detailed analsysis, see Part III, pp. 000-000, of the present work; also Nebesky-Wojkowitz, Oracles and Demons of Tibet, pp. 291-299. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)