four devils ［四魔］ ( shi-ma): Four evil or debilitating functions described in Buddhist scriptures as afflicting practitioners and obstructing their practice. They are (1) the devil of the five components ( skandha-māra), or hindrances arising from the five components of life; (2) the devil of earthly desires (klesha-māra), hindrances arising from earthly desires; (3) the devil of death (also called the devil death, mrityu-māra), the hindrance arising from the death of oneself or another practitioner; and (4) the heavenly devil (devaputra-māra), hindrances attributed to the workings of the devil king of the sixth heaven. The Sanskrit word māra means devil, obstacle, killing, death, or pestilence. Together with the three obstacles of earthly desires, karma, and retribution, the four devils are referred to as the “three obstacles and four devils.” See also three obstacles and four devils.