Significance of Direction
Synonyms: Guidance, Instruction, Path, Way, Course, Route
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Direction'
In Buddhism, Direction signifies aligning one's efforts with personal abilities and strengths, fostering a commitment to Dhamma. It reflects a purposeful path guided by faith and individual capacity in spiritual practice.
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) This is the direction in which their abilities lie, and those who have faith in Dhamma as their basis work with effort in various ways in accordance with their strength and the direction in which their abilities lie.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Direction'
In Hinduism, Direction encompasses the divine illumination of Krishna, cardinal points for spiritual guidance, spatial orientations, omnipresence, and guidance paths, reflecting the interplay of physical space and spiritual significance in understanding reality.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Refers to the spatial areas surrounding the effulgence, which were illuminated, suggesting the vastness of its impact.[2] (2) Referring to all spatial points around the sage, indicating omnipresence.[3] (3) Refers to the cardinal points or orientations in space, often used metaphorically in spiritual texts.[4] (4) referring to all the possible orientations or locations around[5] (5) A metaphorical reference to the cardinal points that are supported by the elephants.[6]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The specific path or way from which the sound originated.[7] (2) Referring to the various orientations or paths that one could take, which were affected by the dust.[8] (3) The directions include cardinal points such as northeast, which can be associated with guidance or orientation in a spiritual context.[9]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Dik (Direction) is referred to as a power or capacity of what is real, denoting the notions of position, such as right and left.[10] (2) The guiding concept that influences how objects are perceived in terms of priority and placement.[11] (3) The reason that division based on light and shade is possible in mountains, indicating its significance in understanding visual attributes.[12]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The function of the injunction being to convey direction, which need not be done only by words.[13]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The instruction given to the Agnidhra that conveys what needs to be made known to the gods.[14]
The concept of Direction in local and regional sources
Direction in this context pertains to the singular orientation of south at Meru, contrasting with broader cosmographic principles that typically acknowledge multiple directions, emphasizing Meru's unique spatial significance.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) These are spoken of at Meru, though in the cosmography of the Siddhantas, it is not meaningful to speak of directions at Meru; there is only one direction at Meru, namely, south.[16]