Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Indus civilization indicate. Creation was

often described in terms of a cosmic

dance (LÏLÄ). One of the most famous

representations of ŸIVA is that of

NÄfiARÄJA(king of the dance). KØÆŒA

performed a dance on the heads of

KÄLIYAand his favourite pastime was the

rasa-lïlä, the round-dance with the GOPÏS

of Vraja. The goddess is often represent-

ed in dance. Temple dancing, both spon-

taneously done by devotees and

organized by professionals, is one of the

routine forms of temple worship. The

Naflya-ÿästra, attributed to BHÄRATA(5),

is the most important text dealing not

only with dance, but with drama and the

principles of aesthetics. Dance, especially

the re-enactment of scenes from the

PURÄŒAS, is seen as a means to gain

LIBERATION. In some major Hindu tem-

ples groups of professionals regularly

perform ritual dances in honour of the

deity, e.g. in the Ÿiva temple at

CIDAMBARAM(TAŒ¥AVA), or the Kø•æa

temple of Guruvayur (Kø•æattam).

daæõa (‘rod’, ‘punishment’)

Insignia of YAMA, the god of death and

of kings, whose duty it was to punish

evildoers and protect society from them.

daæõa nïti (‘science of punishment’)

Administration, government.

Dandin (seventh century)

Classical (Sanskrit) writer, author of

Daÿa-kumära-carita, the story of the ten

princes who went out to find fulfilment

of their desires.

Därä Shukoh (1613–1659)

Son of Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, who

took a great interest in Hinduism. In

1657 he produced the first translation

of some of the Upani•ads into Persian, a

Latin translation of which (made by

Anquetil Duperron in the early 19th

century) reached the West and was

enthusiastically received by the German

philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer

(1788–1860 CE). Därä Shukoh was exe-

cuted by his brother Aurangzeb after

having participated in a failed rebellion

against him.

darÿana (1)

(‘seeing’, ‘demonstration’)

The respectful or worshipful beholding

of a divine image or a venerable person,

a central religious activity of Hindus.

darÿana (2)

(‘theory’, philosophical system’)

Especially one of the •aõ-darÿana (‘six

orthodox systems’: SÄßKHYA, YOGA,

¢YÄYA, VAIŸEÆIKA, Purva MÏMÄßSÄand

Uttara Mïmäƒsä or VEDÄNTA).

däsa (‘slave’)

Caste name of a ŸÜDRA; from the

Middle Ages on, many VAIÆŒAVASused

it also as an affix to express their devo-

tion (e.g. Vi•æudäsa, Kø•æadäsa, etc.).

Daÿabodha

Famous religious work (in Marathi) by

Samärtha Guru Rämadäsa (written

c. 1659).

däsa-märga (‘the slave’s way’)

The lowest stage in ŸAIVASIDDHÄNTA,

consisting of activities such as cleaning

a temple, weaving garlands, lighting

temple lamps, offering one’s services to

other Ÿiva devotees.

daÿa-nämis (‘ten names’)

Ten orders of samnyäsis (sects) reputedly

founded by ŸANKARAin the ninth century

and attached to one of the MAfiHAS

established by him. They enjoy a high

reputation for their asceticism and

scholarship. One of these names is

attached to the title of every member of

one of the orders: Äraæya, Väna, Giri,

55 daÿa-nämis

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