Increase and Growth ［増長天］ ( Virūdhaka;  Zōjō-ten or Zōchō-ten): One of the four heavenly kings of Buddhist mythology. This god is said to live halfway up the southern side of Mount Sumeru, on whose summit Shakra dwells, and guard the south. He reigns over two kinds of spirits, called kumbhānda and preta. In Buddhist scriptures, he often appears as a guardian of the Buddha’s teachings and protector of the world along with the other three heavenly kings, Upholder of the Nation, Wide-Eyed, and Hearer of Many Teachings (also known as Vaishravana). See also four heavenly kings.