A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

55 daÿa-nämis
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
KÄLIYA and his favourite pastime was the
rasa-lïlä, the round-dance with the GOPÏS
of Vraja. The goddess is often represented
in dance. Temple dancing, both spontaneously
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 temples
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 executed
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 MÏMÄßSÄ and
Uttara Mïmäƒsä or VEDÄNTA).
däsa (‘slave’)
Caste name of a ŸÜDRA; from the
Middle Ages on, many VAIÆŒAVAS used
it also as an affix to express their devotion
(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 ŸAIVA SIDDHÄNTA,
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 ŸANKARA in 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,