Page 45 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng

Glosssary 303

Cāṇakya Paṇḍita (Kauṭilya)—a famous brāhmaṇa politician
and moralist who masterminded a successful coup-d’état in
Magadha, an ancient Eastern Indian kingdom, thus causing
the downfall of the corrupt Nanda dyansty to enthrone his
pious protégé, Candragupta Maurya. He is the author of
the Cāṇakya-nīti, his collection of moral and ethical values,
and his masterpiece, the Kauṭilīya Artha-śāstra, a thorough
compendium of the science of statecraft.
Cañcalā—(lit. “she who is unsteady”) one of the names of the
goddess of fortune, Śrīmatī Lakṣmīdevī, the consort of Lord
Viṣṇu.
Candramā—the moon.
Cāmara whisk—a fanning whisk made of yak tail hairs.
Cāturmāsya-vrata—observance of specific austerities during
the four months of the rainy season.
Citragupta—Yamarāja’s assistant who keeps track of all the
pious and impious deeds of the living entities.
Crore—a Hindi word for Sanskrit koṭi, ten million.

Daiva—fate or destiny.
Dakṣiṇā—a compulsory donation to the priests, brāhmaṇas
and other guests at the conclusion of any religious function.
Daṇḍa—the traditional staff carried by the renunciants.
Darbār—royal court.

Devahūti—the saintly wife of Kardama Muni and mother of
Kapiladeva, the famous incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu. Her life and
the teachings of her son are described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Deva—(1) any of the demigods, (2) the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.

Devatā—a demigod.
Devī—(1) a goddess, (2) respectful address for a lady.