द्वैत dvaita = duality, dualism Duality Definition Within yogic and Buddhist traditions, duality is the cognitive habit of dividing the world into opposing pairs, which can lead to suffering when taken to extremes. The path to liberation in both traditions involves transcending this dualistic perception to reach a state of non-dual awareness, where the interconnected … Read more
देवनागरी deva (god) nagari (script) = script of the gods Devanagari Definition Devanagari is an ancient script that has been used for writing several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Nepali, and others. It is an abugida script, which means that each character represents a consonant sound with an inherent vowel sound, and additional diacritic … Read more
दत्तात्रेय Dattātreya Dattatreya Definition Dattatreya is a revered figure in Hinduism, particularly in the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. He is often depicted as a sage with three heads and six hands, symbolizing his association with the Trimurti – the divine trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). Dattatreya Deep Dive … Read more
धर्मा Dhr- (to hold, support) Dharma Definition Dharma is a concept prominent in Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and other “dharmic” religions. Derived from the Sanskrit root dhr, meaning to hold, bear, support, or sustain, dharma is often understood to mean the eternal or natural cosmic law, or the way of things that upholds righteousness. Dharma … Read more
Dakshina Definition The Sanskrit terminology for the word Dakshina refers to a gift or an offering that is most often given to a guru or priest. This tradition has been a part of Hindu culture for many years. All living things must give Dakshina as it is part of the universal cycle of giving and receiving. … Read more