Devï Bhägavata Puräæa
An Upa-Puräæa, by some considered
one of the 18 Mahä-puräæas (replacing
the Vai•æava Bhägavatam) eulogizing
ŸAKTI.Devï Mähätmya
(‘The Glorification of the Goddess’)
A section of the MÄRKAŒ¥EYAPURÄNA,
narrating the victory of the Goddess
over the buffalo-headed demon
(Mahi•amärdinï). It is recited daily in
Ÿäkta temples and often publicly read
out during Dürgapüjä (see DURGA) cele-
brations.Dhanvantari
The physician of the gods, teacher of
medicine, author of a text on AYURVEDA.dhäraæä (‘concentration’)
One of the stages of PATAÑJALAYOGA.dharma (‘law’)
Cosmic and social order and the rules
pertaining to it. It is the central concern
of Hinduism, which defines itself as
SANÄTANA DHARMA, eternal law. In the
Bhagavadgïtä Kø•æa says that he is
assuming a human form for the sake of
upholding dharma, whenever it is
threatened. Dharma comprises general
morality (SADHÄRANA DHARMA) as well
as specific rules for members of castes
(viÿe•a dharma). The former consists of
five injunctions (yama) and five prohibi-
tions (niyama), namely firmness (dhøti),
forgiveness (k•amä), charity (däna),
purity (ÿauca), not stealing (a•teya),
sense-control (indriya nigraha), pru-
dence (dhï), wisdom (vidyä), truthful-
ness (satya), freedom from anger
(akrodha). The latter comprises the very
detailed and specific injunctions of
varæäÿramadharma. Over and above
these, there are regulations for members
of religious communities (saƒpradäyas)such as the Vai•æavadharma, which
prescribe the mode of worship, the kind
of dress and diet etc. a member of such
a community has to follow. While for
many centuries Hindu dharma was sup-
posed to be unchanging, in our time
voices are being heard that attempt to
modernize dharma and to use dharma
as a political programme for the cre-
ation of a Hindu rule in India.
As sources of dharma the Manusmøti
identifies the Veda in its entirety, estab-
lished traditions in the heartland of
Hinduism (Äryavärta), the behaviour of
exemplary citizens, and one’s own con-
science (ätmatu•fli).Dharma-räja (‘King of the Law’)
Title of YAMA, the god of the dead, and
of YUDHISfiH.IRA, his son.Dharma-ÿästra
The Hindu code of law in general, or a
specific work on law, such as
Manusmøti, Yäjñavalkyasmøti and oth-
ers. These deal generally with three
major areas: rules of conduct (ÄCÄRA);
civil and criminal law (VYAVAHÄRA);
punishment and penances (PRAYAŸCITTA).
The number of works on dharmaÿästra
is very large, and since it covers both
secular and religious law, it has always
been very important for the practice of
Hinduism.Dhenuka
A demon in the shape of an ass, killed
by BALADEVA, who swung it round by its
legs and smashed it against a tree.Dhøta-rä•flra
(‘whose kingdom is well established’)
A major figure in the MAHÄBHÄRATA
story: the eldest son of Vicitravïrya,
brother of Päæõu, had a hundred sons,
of whom Duryodhana was the oldest.
Dhøtarä•flra was blind and renounced
the throne in favour of his brotherDevï Bhägavata Puräæa 58Encyclo - Letter D 10/2/03 9:39 am Page 58