Dadhïca, also Dadhyanc

Vedic ØÆI, son of ATHARVAN, frequently

mentioned in Hindu literature.

daily rituals

The brahmin’s entire daily routine was

enveloped by rituals. Many of these

rituals cannot be observed in modern

city life, but some are followed quite

widely, such as the thrice daily recitation

of the GÄYATRÏmantra, the daily wor-

ship of IMAGESin the home, and RITUALS

on special occasions. Members of partic-

ular SAßPRADÄYASoften practise extend-

ed daily rituals at home and in the

temple, decorating their bodies with

markings designating their affiliation.

daityas (‘demons’, ‘giants’, ‘titans’)

Descendants of DITI and KAŸYAPA,

hostile to the GODSand to SACRIFICE.

daiva (1) (‘belonging to the gods’)

Fate.

daiva (2)

A type of (legally recognized) marriage,

in which a young woman was given to

an officiating priest in a sacrifice.

Däkinï

Female fiend in the company of KÄLÏ

(2), feeding on human flesh. Also called

Aÿrapa, ‘blood drinker’.

Dak•a alsoPräcetas (‘skilful’)

Proper name of a son of BRAHMÄ, a

PRAJÄPATI. One of his many daughters

was SATÏ(Umä), who married ŸIVA

against her father’s will. Dak•a

excluded him from a great sacrifice he

was performing and insulted him in

Satï’s presence. Satï then took her

own life and Ÿiva wrecked Dak•a’s

sacrifice. Ÿiva decapitated Dak•a and

burned his head, but later restored

him to life and gave him a goat’s

head.

Dak•a-smøti

A code of law. Dak•a was one of the

original eighteen lawgivers and is reput-

ed to be author of the Dak•asmøti.

dak•inä (‘south’)

Fee for a brahmin’s services, personified

as a goddess.

dak•inäcära (‘right-hand way’)

One of the branches of TANTRA(2).

Dak•iæä-mürti

One of the saumya (auspicious) forms

of ŸIVA: Ÿiva as teacher of various arts,

of YOGAand of mok•a (LIBERATION).

The images of Ÿiva NÄfiARÄJA also

belong to this category.

D

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