Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms - D

Deva

They are considered as the angles, celestial beings without physical body structure.

Danti mula

Root of the herb "danti" (Latin Name: Baliospermum montanum).

Desa

Region, country, area, and kingdom.

Dhanvantari

According to the Hindu mythology during the churning of the ocean, Vishnu, the physician of gods is believed to be produced with a cup of nectar in his ahnd that represents the true healer in all beings.

Dharana

This Sanskrit word means absorbing information into the memory and reproducing the same.

Dharma

It refers to one's character, one's true self and about being a whole human being by the virtue of righteousness, virtue, attribute, duty, nature of disposition and prescribed code of conduct.

Dhatu

It is the basic structural and nutritional body factor that supports or nourishes the seven body tissues. These seven tissues of our body includes the rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja and shukra.

Dhi

intelligence; that part of mental function that captures information.

Dhrti

that part of mental function that retains information.

Dhyana;

Meditation, One of the practices done for mental stability. When the manas (mind) attain the state of stability it is called dhyana. While in dhyana one should try to concentrate on one particular thing only.

Dipaniya

These are the natural substances that kindle the gastric fire and augment the appetite.

Dravya

According to the vaisheshika system of philosophy dravya menas substance or the substratum of properties of the nine eternal substances i.e. the earth, water, fire, air, ether, time, space, self, and mind.

Dushti / Duhkha

It is a Sanskrit word that means unhappiness. Vata persons tend toward a duhkha of insecurity, anxiety, fear and loneliness whereas with Pitta constitution individuals tend towards a duhkha involving judgment, nothing to do, being judged, criticism, and lack of acknowledgement. The Kapha duhkha relates to too much physical activity and hardships