The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (603 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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(Skt.). Staff or rod, symbolizing power. In the hand of
K
l
, it symbolizes the irreversible power of time. Da
a is also the personified form of punishment, especially as penitential, thus ameliorating the punishments of a future birth.
Yama's
staff is a form of Yama himself, creating fear of the next life and better behaviour in this. A da
a is bestowed during the sacred thread ceremony (
upanayana
), and it is carried by a student (
brahmacarya
) as a symbol of his renunciation of worldly, distracting pleasures.
Da
adhara
.
The title of the Hindu god
Yama
as judge of the dead.
Da
in
.

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