A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Danda : cane, one of the Ganesh attributes

Dakshinâmûrti : the Master of Arts and Music, is a Shiva form often represented on temple walls in south India. He is sitting, watching to south (dakshina) and holds the sacred book of the Veda

Darshana : "Point of view", term to name the six systems (branches) of the hindu philosophy, which are Mîmâmsâ, Nyâya, Vaisheshika, Sâmkhya, Yoga and Vedânta, the most famous.
Another meaning for darshana, more popular, is the "vision" of the god image in His inner shrine, or the opportunity to meet a wise man or a spiritual master (Guru). Getting the darshana of a Master is a great luck and grants many boons

Deul : term of architecture used in Orissa to designate the Shikara. The pyramidal tower, with a square cross section, has curved edges here. It is surmounted by several stone elements; one of the most characteristic is the amalaka

Deva : the deities, the gods in a general meaning. The Pañchadeva are the five main gods who are daily worshipped during pûjâ; this worship has been progressively elaborated and fixed for centuries

Devadâsî : in ancient times, sacred female dancers of the temples

Dhanus : bow; dhanus is also an ancient unity of measurement for length. It's also the Sagittarius zodiacal sign

Dhâranî : hindu deity of the earth, also named Prithivî, or Bhûmi

Dharma : the dharma is the natural order of all things in the Universe. Aspects of the dharma cover all the domains : religious, social, ethical, political, philosophical, etc.

Dhyâna : state of deep meditation

Dikpâla : the eight Dikpâla are the protectors, the regents (rulers) of the space directions. Indra, presides over East, Agni over South-East, Yama over South, Nirriti over South-West, Varuna over West, Vâyu over North-West, Kubera over North and Ishâna over North-East. When the Dikpâla ride their Vâhana, they are called the Dikpâlaka

Djavastambha : metal flag-pole located in the inner courtyard, in front of the temple doorway in south India. The temple banner is exhibited during yearly festivals. The djavastambha is usually made of brass or golden bronze. At its bottom, a rectangular-shaped pedestal is often nicely carved with deities images

Dravidian : concerns all things related to the south indian civilization and local culture

Durgâ : goddess whose name means "The Unattainable"; She is another form of Pârvatî, Shakti of Shiva. Her vehicle is a lion, sometimes a tiger. She is often represented two-armed, but She can take many other forms, such as Kâlî (even more awful), Châmundâ (same name as one of the Sapta Mâtrikâ), or Mahishâsuramardinî, whose the sixteen arms show the unlimited power. This latter form is very frequently represented in Tamil Nadu, fighting and killing the buffalo-demon Mahîshâsura. Therefore, Durgâ is the female power of destruction of Shiva

Dûrvâ : Panicum, a particular kind of herb (gramineous) used in the religious rituals

Dvâpara Yuga : See Yuga

Dvârapâla : stone doorkeeper at the temple entrance, with a fierce and martial attitude. Considered as semi-gods, the dvârapâla hold spears and clubs

Dvibhanga : a body posture, double-bent trunk


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