Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

(strength), aiÿvarya (lordship), vïrya

(heroism), ÿakti (power), tejas

(splendour).

Divodäsa (1)

A pious king in the Øgveda, for whom

INDRA demolished a hundred stone

fortresses.

Divodäsa (2)

A brahmin, twin brother of AHALYÄ,

called ‘Atithigva’ because of his gen-

erosity toward guests (atithi)

Divodäsa (3)

A king of Käÿï (VÄRÄŒASÏ), celebrated as

a physician, identified with DHANVAN-

TARI.

domestic rites

The Hindu home, usually the dwelling

place of an extended family, plays a cen-

tral role in Hinduism. The family is the

basic unit of Hindu society and from the

earliest times essential rituals could only

be performed in a family setting. The

Veda prescribes a number of ceremonies

that a brahmin has to perform daily in

his home. They are codified in a number

of Gøhya Sütras. The SAßSKÄRAS, for

example initiation, marriage and funer-

al rites, are also performed in the home.

Every Hindu home has either a room or

part of a room reserved for worship,

and members of the family often spend

a considerable amount of time doing

PÜJÄat home. Many Hindu homes are

adorned with pictures of deities and

saints. In VAIŸŒAVAhomes a TULASÏ

plant is usually kept in the courtyard

and regularly tended and worshipped.

Vai•æavas also routinely offer their

meals to the deity in their worship room

before beginning to eat, considering their

meal the prasäda (‘grace’, leftovers) of the

deity’s. The Hindus’ daily and yearly

domestic religious routine is strongly

shaped by the rituals and festivities of the

communities to which hey belong and by

specific family traditions.

Divodäsa 60

Dïpävali (Divälï) celebrations in Manchester, England.

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