Upholder of the Nation ［持国天］ ( Dhritarāshtra;  Jikoku-ten): One of the four heavenly kings of Buddhist mythology. This god is said to live halfway up the eastern side of Mount Sumeru and protect the eastern quarter. In Buddhist scriptures, Upholder of the Nation often appears as a guardian of the Buddha’s teachings and a protector of the world along with the other three heavenly kings, Wide-Eyed, Hearer of Many Teachings (also known as Vaishravana), and Increase and Growth. See also four heavenly kings.