Compact devotional set
108 Names of Kalabhairava with Meanings
The 108 names of Kalabhairava are a compact set used for daily japa, study, and remembrance. This page presents 108 names from the Kalabhairava Sahasranama — the 1,000-name text on this site — with Devanagari, common English spellings, and the English meaning of each name.
Why 108 names?
One hundred and eight is a traditional count across Hindu practice: mala beads, mantra counts, and short stotra sets. A 108-name list makes the Sahasranama approachable — short enough to recite in one sitting, yet broad enough to touch the main forms and qualities of Kalabhairava.
This list is taken directly from the opening of the text: names 1–108 of the 1,000-name Kalabhairava Sahasranama, in order. The full recension continues to name 1,000, and every name has its own reference page with alternate spellings and a longer note.
Difference between 108, 1,000 and 1,008-name lists: read the count explainer →
The 108 names with meanings
Each name links to its full reference page with Devanagari, IAST, alternate spellings, the English meaning, and the longer explanation.
| # | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhairavaya | Salutations To The one who is terrifying and destroys fear. |
| 2 | Bhutanathaya | Salutations To The lord and master of all beings, including ghosts and spirits. |
| 3 | Bhutatmane | Salutations To The one who is the very soul and essence of all living beings. |
| 4 | Bhutabhavanaya | Salutations To The creator and nurturer of all beings in the universe. |
| 5 | Bhutavasaya | Salutations To The one who resides within all of existence and in whom all beings dwell. |
| 6 | Bhutadutaya | Salutations To The one who has ghosts and spirits as his messengers. |
| 7 | Bhurishaya | Salutations To The one who possesses great wealth and abundance. |
| 8 | Bhuridakshinaya | Salutations To The one who is extremely generous and gives great rewards. |
| 9 | Bhutadhyakshaya | Salutations To The supreme overseer and presides over all beings. |
| 10 | Bhutapataye | Salutations To The commander and protector of all beings. |
| 11 | Bhudharaya | Salutations To The one who supports the Earth. |
| 12 | Bhudharatmajaya | Salutations To The son of the mountain-bearer (often referring to Parvati's son, but here an epithet of Bhairava's power). |
| 13 | Bhupataye | Salutations To The supreme lord of the Earth. |
| 14 | Bhaskaraya | Salutations To The one who is radiant and effulgent like the sun. |
| 15 | Bhirave | Salutations To The one who is formidable and inspires awe. |
| 16 | Bhimaya | Salutations To The one who is of immense and dreadful strength. |
| 17 | Bhumaye | Salutations To The one who is the Earth itself. |
| 18 | Vibhutidaya | Salutations To The bestower of divine powers, prosperity, and sacred ash. |
| 19 | Bhutaya | Salutations To The one who has come into being and exists as all of creation. |
| 20 | Bhukampanaya | Salutations To The one who can cause the earth to tremble. |
| 21 | Bhuminamne | Salutations To The one who is known by all the names of the Earth. |
| 22 | Bhutabhibhavakaya | Salutations To The one who evokes and manifests spirits. |
| 23 | Bhaganetraya | Salutations To The one who possesses the eyes of Bhaga (a Vedic deity of wealth and prosperity). |
| 24 | Bhavaya | Salutations To The one who is existence itself. |
| 25 | Bhoktre | Salutations To The one who is the ultimate enjoyer and experiencer. |
| 26 | Bhudevaya | Salutations To The one who is a god on Earth. |
| 27 | Bhagavate | Salutations To The divine and glorious Lord. |
| 28 | Rathine | Salutations To The one who rides a chariot, symbolizing a master of his journey. |
| 29 | Bhrajishnave | Salutations To The one who is brilliantly radiant and shines splendidly. |
| 30 | Bhojanaya | Salutations To The one who is the embodiment of all food and nourishment. |
| 31 | Bhoktre | Salutations To The one who is the ultimate enjoyer and experiencer of all things. |
| 32 | Bhikshabhuje | Salutations To The one who consumes food offered as alms, representing detachment. |
| 33 | Bhojanapriyaya | Salutations To The one who is fond of food and offerings. |
| 34 | Bhutimayaya | Salutations To The one who is entirely composed of sacred ash and divine glory. |
| 35 | Bhringiritine | Salutations To The one who is accompanied by the devoted sage Bhringi. |
| 36 | Bhaktasadhitavigrahaya | Salutations To The one whose divine form is attainable through the devotion of his followers. |
| 37 | Bhutacharine | Salutations To The one who wanders among ghosts and elemental spirits. |
| 38 | Nishacharine | Salutations To The one who wanders in the darkness of the night. |
| 39 | Pretacharine | Salutations To The one who moves among the spirits of the deceased. |
| 40 | Bhayanakaya | Salutations To The one who is of a terrifying and fearsome appearance. |
| 41 | Bhavatmane | Salutations To The one who is the very soul of existence and creation. |
| 42 | Bhurbhuvolakshmyai | Salutations To The one who is the splendor and glory of the three worlds (Earth, Atmosphere, and Heavens). |
| 43 | Bhutimate | Salutations To The one who possesses immense divine powers and prosperity. |
| 44 | Bhavavikramaya | Salutations To The one whose prowess and might bring about creation. |
| 45 | Padmagarbhaya | Salutations To The one who has a lotus at his navel, from which creation arises. |
| 46 | Mahagarbhaya | Salutations To The one who contains the great cosmic womb within himself. |
| 47 | Vishvagarbhaya | Salutations To The one who contains the entire universe within his being. |
| 48 | Bhuve | Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of the Earth and existence. |
| 49 | Abhuve | Salutations To The one who is unborn, transcending all existence. |
| 50 | Bhutatvaya | Salutations To The one who represents the fundamental essence of all beings. |
| 51 | Bhuvanadhishaya | Salutations To The supreme ruler of all the worlds. |
| 52 | Bhuti Krite | Salutations To The one who creates prosperity and well-being. |
| 53 | Bhrantinashanaya | Salutations To The destroyer of all confusion and delusion. |
| 54 | Bhutibhushitasarvangaya | Salutations To The one whose entire body is adorned with sacred ash. |
| 55 | Bhushayaya | Salutations To The one who is the source of all adornment. |
| 56 | Bhutavahanaya | Salutations To The one who has spirits and ghosts as his vehicle. |
| 57 | Kshetrajnaya | Salutations To The one who is the ultimate knower of the field (the body and all of creation). |
| 58 | Bhuvanadhishaya | Salutations To The supreme lord and ruler of all worlds. |
| 59 | Bhutidaya | Salutations To The bestower of well-being, prosperity, and supernatural powers. |
| 60 | Bhutimate | Salutations To The one who is possessed of great power, glory, and being. |
| 61 | Prabhave | Salutations To The supreme, mighty, and all-powerful Lord. |
| 62 | Kshetrajnaya | Salutations To The knower of the field of existence. |
| 63 | Kshetrapalaya | Salutations To The ultimate guardian and protector of the sacred field or domain. |
| 64 | Kshetravighnanivaranaya | Salutations To The remover of all obstacles within the sacred field of life. |
| 65 | Kshantaya | Salutations To The one who is supremely patient, tranquil, and forgiving. |
| 66 | Kshudraya | Salutations To The one who can assume a minute form or attend Salutations To The smallest of beings. |
| 67 | Kshetrapaya | Salutations To The protector of the land and the sacred field. |
| 68 | Kshudraghnaya | Salutations To The destroyer of the petty-minded, the wicked, and the insignificant. |
| 69 | Kshatrapaya | Salutations To The protector of the domain, a true sovereign. |
| 70 | Kshamine | Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of forgiveness and forbearance. |
| 71 | Kshobhanaya | Salutations To The one who causes agitation, shaking beings out of ignorance and inertia. |
| 72 | Maranaya | Salutations To The one who wields the power of death and destruction against evil. |
| 73 | Stambhanaya | Salutations To The one who can paralyze, halt, or immobilize any opposing force. |
| 74 | Mohanaya | Salutations To The one who has the power to delude, enchant, and captivate all beings. |
| 75 | Namanaya | Salutations To The one who is worthy of all reverence and to whom all must bow. |
| 76 | Vashine | Salutations To The one who has everyone and everything under his control. |
| 77 | Kshapanaya | Salutations To The one who brings about the destruction or expiation of sins. |
| 78 | Kshantidaya | Salutations To The one who is the bestower of patience and tranquility. |
| 79 | Kshamaya | Salutations To The one who is patient, peaceful, and enduring. |
| 80 | Kshamine | Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of forgiveness and forbearance. |
| 81 | Kshetradharaya | Salutations To The one who upholds and supports the entire field of existence. |
| 82 | Ksharaya | Salutations To The one who is the perishable form of all things, yet also the imperishable reality. |
| 83 | Kankalaya | Salutations To The one who has a skeletal form, symbolizing transcendence over the physical body. |
| 84 | Kalashamanaya | Salutations To The one who pacifies and subdues time and death. |
| 85 | Kalakashthayai | Salutations To The one who is the ultimate limit and the smallest unit of time. |
| 86 | Kalanidhaye | Salutations To The one who is the great treasure-house of all arts and skills. |
| 87 | Kalaya | Salutations To The one who is Time itself, the ultimate destroyer and sustainer. |
| 88 | Karalaya | Salutations To The one with a gaping mouth and a fearsome, formidable appearance. |
| 89 | Kankaline | Salutations To The one who wears a garland of skulls, symbolizing detachment from the ego. |
| 90 | Kamaniyaya | Salutations To The one who is supremely beautiful, charming, and desirable. |
| 91 | Kalanidhaye | Salutations To The one who is a repository of all arts and divine qualities. |
| 92 | Kalaya | Salutations To The one who is the embodiment of time and destiny. |
| 93 | Kalakritaye | Salutations To The one who is the creator and shaper of time itself. |
| 94 | Vayave | Salutations To The one who is the vital life-breath (Vayu) and the cosmic wind. |
| 95 | Kapardine | Salutations To The one with thick, matted, and coiled locks of hair. |
| 96 | Kamashasanaya | Salutations To The one who is the chastiser and absolute ruler of desire (Kama). |
| 97 | Kuberabandhave | Salutations To The one who is a dear friend and relative of Kubera, the god of wealth. |
| 98 | Kamatmane | Salutations To The one whose very soul is desire, and who fulfills all desires. |
| 99 | Karnikarapriyaya | Salutations To The one who is fond of the beautiful Karnikara flower. |
| 100 | Kapaye | Salutations To The one who is the chief, or is reddish-brown in color like an ape. |
| 101 | Kamadevaya | Salutations To The one who is the divine god of love and desire. |
| 102 | Kamapalaya | Salutations To The one who is the ultimate protector and fulfiller of desires. |
| 103 | Kamine | Salutations To The one who is full of love, desire, and affection. |
| 104 | Kantaya | Salutations To The one who is exceptionally beautiful, beloved, and radiant. |
| 105 | Kritagamaya | Salutations To The one who has authored the sacred scriptures and tantric texts (Agamas). |
| 106 | Kalyanaprakritaye | Salutations To The one whose intrinsic nature is auspiciousness, fortune, and well-being. |
| 107 | Kalpaya | Salutations To The one who is the cosmic aeon (Kalpa) and the prescribed rules. |
| 108 | Kalpadaye | Salutations To The one who is the very beginning of every cosmic cycle. |
925 individual name pages cover the full 1000-position text.
How to use the 108 names
- Daily japa: choose a fixed number of names or a mala round and keep the same set for a period of practice.
- Study: read one meaning a day and follow the link to the longer explanation when a name catches your attention.
- Chanting: recite in the given order. The names are salutations in the dative case (“... namaḥ”).
- Offline: download the printable PDF that contains the complete 1,000-name list.
Questions about the 108 names
What are the 108 names of Kalabhairava?
The 108 names are a compact devotional set used for japa and study. This page presents the opening 108 names of the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, each with its Devanagari form, a common English spelling, and an English meaning.
Are these 108 names part of the Kalabhairava Sahasranama?
Yes. They are the first 108 names of the 1,000-name Kalabhairava Sahasranama on this site, in the same order as the full text. The complete Sahasranama continues to name 1,000.
Can I download the 108 names as a PDF?
Yes. The printable PDF edition contains the complete 1,000-name list with Devanagari, spellings, and meanings, including these opening 108 names. The download page also links archive.org editions.
How are the names meant to be chanted?
The names are traditionally recited in sequence as salutations (“... namaḥ”). Many devotees use a short set such as 108 names for daily practice and the full Sahasranama on special occasions. The lyrics page explains the chant order.