Sanskrit D

Question 1

Darshana (“seeing”)

Answer 1

vision in the literal and metaphorical sense; a system of philosophy, such as the yoga-darshana of Patanjali; cf. drishti

Question 2

Deva (“he who is shining”)

Answer 2

a male deity, such as Shiva, Vishnu, or Krishna, either in the sense of the ultimate Reality or a high angelic being

Question 3

Devi (“she who is shining”)

Answer 3

a female deity such as Parvati, Lakshmi, or Radha, either in the sense of the ultimate Reality (in its feminine pole) or a high angelic being

Question 4

Dharana (“holding”)

Answer 4

concentration, the sixth limb (anga) of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga

Question 5

Dharma (“bearer”)

Answer 5

a term of numerous meanings; often used in the sense of “law,” “lawfulness,” “virtue,” “righteousness,” “norm”

Question 6

Dhyana (“ideating”)

Answer 6

meditation, the seventh limb (anga) of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga

Question 7

Diksha (“initiation”)

Answer 7

the act and condition of induction into the hidden aspects of yoga or a particular lineage of teachers; all traditional yoga is initiatory

Question 8

Drishti (“view/sight”)

Answer 8

yogic gazing, such as at the tip of the nose or the spot between the eyebrows; cf. darshana

Question 9

Duhkha (“bad axle space”)

Answer 9

suffering, a fundamental fact of life, caused by ignorance (avidya) of our true nature (i.e., the Self or atman)