Group of demons (Asura’s), similar to the Danava’s. The Daityas are giant, titanic creatures.
world mountain of the south; world axis; Mount Meru (Sanskrit: मेरु), also known as Sumeru or Mahameru; it is the Gunung Semeru volcano in Indonesia
Ḍamaru (डमरु) is a small, double-ended, hourglass-shaped drum held by Shiva, its sound denoting the primordial creation and destruction of the universe; hand-drum; Its two ends are covered tightly with membranes which are held in that position by a string… Continue Reading →
gift or charitable donation, especially in religious context
demonic creatures; see asura
stick or staff (डंडा); If it is held by Śiva, it is indicative either of death or of Śiva teaching. Daṇḍa, rod; unit of measurement; 4 Dhanurmusti (26 Aṅgulas) = 1 Daṇḍa and 8 Daṇḍa = 1 Rajju The table… Continue Reading →
hand held straight like a stick (cf. kari-hasta and gaja-hasta)
Darpaṇa (दर्पण) means a mirror.
vision or visualisation
‘seeing [god]’ – auspicious viewing of deity’s cult image, conferring blessings on the devotee; ritual ‘seeing’ of the enshrined temple deity that involves a dynamic act of awareness
Daśatāla (दशताल), Measurement of images by ten tālas; measure of major gods
oil lamp
gift to the gods; gifted temple lands
Niche on walls of shrines and mandapa’s containing sculpture of deities (their occupants are called vimana-devata – parsva-devata in Kalinga); often crowned by torana or shrine motif, kuta sala, panjara, or kudu, or udgama.
a variety of coiffure; smaller version of the headgear made of plaits of hair
a donor
Dhanurgraha (धनुर्ग्रह), bowlength; unit of measurement; 1 Dhanurgraha = 27 Angula’s
Dhanurmuṣṭi (Sanskrit: धनुर्मुष्टि), bowlength; unit of measurement; 1 Dhanurmuṣṭi = 26 Aṅgulas and 4 Dhanurmuṣṭi = 1 Danda The table shows the different units of measurement in relation to each other: 8 Paramanu = 1 Rathadhūli, 8 Rathadhuli = 1… Continue Reading →
a bow (धनुस्)
established belief and practice, law or doctrine
The hand-pose of preaching the Law. It signifies the turning of the Wheel of Law. In this hand-pose, both the hands are held against the chest, the left hand covering the right. (cf. dharmachakrapravartana-mudra) It is the mudra of Gautama,… Continue Reading →
hand suggesting the first turning of the wheel of law by Buddha at Sārnāth (cf. dharmachakra)
a thorn apple with strong narcotic properties; usually the flower represented
a flower with strong narcotic properties
cloth over the waist; male skirt (also lungi or veshti)
Dhvaja (ध्वज) is a flag, a banner or an emblem.
Dhyāna (Sanskrit: ध्यान) refers to meditation or hands in meditation; Seated in Padmasana in the attitude of meditation. In this sitting position, the legs are crossed, with soles of the feet turned upwards, resting on the thighs; In this hand-pose,… Continue Reading →
In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the right hand is placed in the palm of the left hand. Both hands rest on the crossed legs of the seated image. This is the hand gesture of meditation and… Continue Reading →
contemplative hymn to mentally picture the iconography of the deity
guardian of one of the eight directions
auspicious lamp-bearer damsel
hall supported by between 108 and 1008 pillars
peoples of South India
temple flag mast (dvajastambham, Tamil: த்வஜஸ்தம்பம்)
the imposing temple-gateway (cf. gopura) Kinds: sobha-dvara: gopuram with 1 to 2 storeys (nilais; cf. nilai), sala-dvara: gopuram with 2 to 4 storeys (nilais), prasada-dvara: gopuram with 3 to 5 storeys (nilais), harmya-dvara: gopuram with 5 to 7 storeys (nilais),… Continue Reading →
jambs
guardian-deity at the door or gateway; doorkeeper (dvarapala, Tamil: த்வாரபாலர்)
Dvibhanga (द्विभङ्ग) a duoflex pose
Dvitāla (द्विताल), Measurement of images by two tālas
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