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Satsang Glossary

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D

dagli
Waistcoat with inner lining, i.e., a smaller, but thicker angarkhu. A garment generally used in cold weather.
daharvidyã
'Knowledge of the inner ãkãsh'. Knowledge of Chidãkãsh {Gadhada I-46.9}.
darbãr
Court of residence belonging to a king or feudal ruler, traditionally with a central courtyard surrounded by rooms with verandas.
darshan

'Seeing', derived from verb-root 'drush' - to see. To see with reverence and devotion. Term used specifically for beholding, with inner or outer vision, God, the Satpurush, murtis, or highly revered people with the intention of inwardly contacting and receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a devotee develops affection for God, and God develops affection for that devotee {Sãrangpur-2}.

Darshans
'Insights' or 'perspectives'. The six classical systems of Hindu philosophy, namely:
(1) Nyãya - 'Logic'. System relating logic and validation as a means to arrive at correct knowledge.
(2) Vaisheshikh - 'Distinctionism' derived from 'vishesha' - distinction. System analysing the distinct natures of the basic elements of existence and reality.
(3) Sãnkhya - 'Enumeration' derived from 'sam' + verb-root 'khã' - to count or number. System analysing the categories of existence and reality. See also: Sãnkhya.
(4) Yoga - 'Union' derived from verb-root 'yuj' - to yoke or join. System focusing on quieting the fluctuations of the mind through various physical and mental practices, ultimately aiming at the transcendental experience of union with God. See also: Yoga.
(5) Purva Mimãnsã - 'Early inquiry'. System emphasising and clarifying the correct procedures and performance of Vedic rites and rituals as a means to liberation.
(6) Uttar Mimãnsã or Vedãnta - 'Later inquiry' or 'conclusion of the Vedas'. System of thought embodied in the Upanishads that reveals the conclusive teachings of the Vedas, centering primarily on the nature of the ãtmã, the world, reality and personal experience. See also: Vedãnta.
Devlok
'Realm of the demigods'. Swarglok. See: Swarglok.
dharma
1) 'That which sustains or holds', derived from verb-root 'dhru' - to sustain or hold. Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. All-inclusive term used to mean righteousness, morality, religion, responsibility and duty.
2) The practice of religious disciplines and duties, i.e., niyams - including honesty, brahmacharya, non-violence, etc. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. Sometimes referred to as the 'dharma of the four castes and four ãshrams', which are encapsulated in the five religious vows4 {Gadhada I-21.3}.
3) Ekãntik dharma. See: ekãntik dharma.
4) One of the four purushãrths, allowing for the fulfillment of one's personal, domestic and social duties {Amdavad-5.11}.
Dharmakul
1) Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan Himself {Gadhada I-1.8}.
2) 'Family of Dharmadev [Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan's father]'. Refers to Bhagwãn Swãminãrãyan's family {Varatal-18.4}.
Dharma-shãstras
Set of scriptures coding the basic laws and principles of civil and social conduct. They integrate spirituality and political law by including the discussion of creation, stages of life, duties of daily living, austerities, study of the Vedas, etc. A part of the Smruti literature. See also: Smrutis.
dhãrnã
'Concentration'. Sixth of the eight steps of ashtãng-yoga, entailing focusing of the mind to guide the flow of consciousness.
Dhruv Stara
'Fixed star'. Refers to the celestial polestar. Remaining fixed, this star is used by travelers as a useful navigational reference marking due north.
dhunya
Form of jap, i.e., continuous chanting of the holy name of God, often to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Commonly pronounced as 'dhun'.
dhotiyu
Unstitched, long piece of cloth traditionally worn by males as a lower garment, usually wound around the waist with one end tucked in after passing between the legs. Also known as 'dhoti'.
dhyãn
'Meditation', derived from verb-root 'dhyai' - to meditate. Seventh of the eight steps of ashtãng-yoga, entailing sustaining a concentrated state where the mind is clear and calm.
Diwãli
'Series of oil lamps'. Last day of the Vikram Samvat Indian year, i.e., day of Amãs of the month of Ãso. Very holy and joyous Hindu festival celebrating the return of Rãm Bhagwãn to Ayodhyã from his 14-year exile, and the victory of good over evil - signified by the lighting of oil lamps dispelling the darkness.
dodi
Cheap, inferior quality of spinach generally eaten only by the extremely poor.
dolariyã
Derived from the Gujarãti verb-root 'dolvu' - to sway. White flower of the jasmine genus, whose blossoming buds are considered to be especially beautiful when swaying in the wind - from which it gets its name.
drashtã
'Seer', derived from verb-root 'drush' - to see. Generally refers to the ãtmã as the observer {Sãrangpur-12}. In some places also refers to God as the observer within each ãtmã {Gadhada I-64; Sãrangpur-6.10}.
drashya
1) 'Visible', derived from verb-root 'drush' - to see. An object of vision. Often referring to the physical body {Sãrangpur-12.9}.
2) Also taken to mean the visible world as a whole {Gadhada I-64.5}.
dudhpãk
Rich item of food made of sweetened milk and rice, garnished with aromatic spices and nuts.
dukad
Pair of traditional Indian drums used to provide rhythm during the singing of devotional songs, similar to present-day tablã.
Dvait
'Dual'. Philosophical doctrine propounding the eternally distinct natures of the jiva and God, as opposed to the monist doctrine of the Advait school propounding their non-duality.
Dwãpar-yug
'Third Age', derived from 'dwi' + 'para' - literally meaning 'after second'. Third of the four ages that mark the time-scale of the world. Lasting 864,000 human years, it was an age when purity and righteousness diminished considerably, people lived to be 1,000 and the system of the four castes came into full operation. See also: yug.
dwip
'Island', or a landmass resembling an island.
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