ShukraShukra (शुक्र, IAST: ) is a Sanskrit word that means "clear" or "bright". It also has other meanings, such as the name of an ancient lineage of sages who counselled the asuras in Vedic mythology. In medieval mythology and Hindu astrology, the term refers to the planet Venus, one of the Navagrahas. In Hinduism, Shukra is one of the sons of Bhrigu, of the third Manu, one of the saptarishis. He was the guru of Daityas and Asuras, and is also referred to as Shukracharya or Asuracharya in various Hindu texts.
Tolkāppiyamvignette|600px|manuscrit sur feuille de palmier (ôle) du Tolkāppiyam Le Tolkāppiyam , ( தொல்காப்பியம்) est un traité de grammaire de la langue tamoule. Cette œuvre est le texte le plus ancien de la littérature Śaṅgam qui nous soit parvenu. La date précise de sa composition n'est pas connue mais, en se fondant sur la base des estimations de divers auteurs, on peut la situer dans une fourchette assez large comprise entre le et le . La première mention du texte en tant qu'ouvrage unique apparait dans le commentaire de Nakkīrar sur l'Akapporuḷ de Irayanār ().
LokapalaLokapāla (लोकपाल), Sanskrit and Pāli for "guardian of the world", has different uses depending on whether it is found in a Hindu or Buddhist context. In Hinduism, lokapāla refers to the Guardians of the Directions associated with the eight, nine and ten cardinal directions. In Buddhism, lokapāla refers to the Four Heavenly Kings, and to other protector spirits, whereas the Guardians of the Directions are referred to as the 'dikpālas' Guardians of the directions In Hinduism, the guardians of the cardinal directions are called the Lokapalas (लोकपाल), or Dikpalaka.
