Dayā
Dayā · dayā, “compassion”
Grammar: feminine noun, from the root day (to have pity, to share): “compassion”.
Meaning: compassion for beings (bhūta-dayā), the wish to remove the suffering of others; one of the four feet of dharma. In Śrī Hari it is grace.
In the scriptures: when Parīkshit found Dharma in the form of a bull, he said: “The maharshis have proclaimed that dharma has four feet: tapas, śauca, dayā and satya. The portions of adharma have broken your feet: delusion broke tapas, the company of the wicked broke śauca, and pride broke the foot called dayā.” When Kali fell at his feet, Parīkshit, who loves the lowly and protects those who take refuge, let him go out of dayā; and he set up again the three lost feet of dharma, tapas, śauca and dayā, and made them grow (Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 1, Chapter 17).
Bhagavān Kapila teaches Devahūti that the sādhaka must give up rāga and dvesha, love everyone, have dayā for all, and remain steady in the confidence that he has fulfilled his purpose (Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 3, Chapter 27); and that he must honour elders, show dayā to the poor and humble, and keep friendship with his equals (Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 3, Chapter 29). In the dhyāna of Śrī Hari’s form he teaches that from his eyes flows a glance full of great dayā, which brings the bhaktas peace from the three kinds of affliction, ādhyātmika, ādhibhautika and ādhidaivika; the dayā in that glance grows many times over through his smile full of love (Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 3, Chapter 28).
When Brahmā, Vishṇu and Maheśvara appeared together before Atri Maharshi on their vāhanas, the haṃsa, Garuḍa and the bull, their glances spread dayā and a smile played on their faces, and from this the maharshi knew they were pleased (Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 4, Chapter 1).
Related terms: Karuṇā · Dharma · Abhaya · Anugraha · Kṛpā
Other meanings
Dayā has more than one meaning in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Besides the meaning above, it names those listed here, each with where it is told.
- Dayā, daughter of Daksha: Dayā, compassion for beings, is one of the thirteen daughters of Daksha and Prasūti given to Dharma; she bore Abhaya, for one who has dayā gives fearlessness to all beings and is himself without fear. Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 4, Chapter 1
Sources
- Bhāgavata Purāṇa, Skandha 1, Chapter 17; Skandha 3, Chapters 27–29; Skandha 4, Chapter 1