Sahasranama position 366 of the 1,000 names

Akhandabhrite

अखण्डभृते

Akhaṇḍabhṛte

What Akhandabhrite means

Akhandabhrite is name 366 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who upholds the entire, unbroken cosmos.

Also spelled

  • Akhandabhrte
  • Source transliteration: AKHANDABHRITE

Sanskrit names travel into English in several romanizations. This page keeps the common spelling, the IAST form, and the source transliteration together so the same name is discoverable under each spelling readers use.

Meaning and elaboration

Meaning: Salutations To The one who upholds the entire, unbroken cosmos.

Elaboration

The name Akhaṇḍabhṛte is a profound and encompassing epithet, merging the Sanskrit terms Akhaṇḍa and Bhṛta (from the root bhṛ, "to bear," "to uphold," "to maintain").

Akhaṇḍa: Unbroken, Indivisible, Entire, Complete. This signifies something that is whole, perfect, and without any fragmentation or discontinuity. In a cosmic sense, it refers to the entirety of creation, the boundless universe, and the uninterrupted flow of time and existence.

Bhṛte: To Uphold, To Bear, To Maintain, To Support. This denotes the fundamental act of preservation and sustenance. Bhairava, associated with this term, is the primordial force that carries the weight and ensures the continuity of all that exists.

The Unbroken Cosmos Akhaṇḍabhṛte points to Lord Bhairava as the ultimate sustainer of the entire cosmos, which is seen as an unbroken, continuous entity. This implies an all-pervading divine presence that constantly maintains the order (Ṛta) and equilibrium of the universe. He ensures that the cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution unfold seamlessly, without rupture or deviation. His support is not partial but extends to every atom and every galaxy, tying all phenomena into an indivisible whole.

The Indivisible Essence Philosophically, this name also hints at the non-dual (Advaita) nature of reality. The "unbroken cosmos" is not merely a collection of discrete parts but a manifestation of a single, indivisible consciousness. Bhairava, as Akhaṇḍabhṛte, embodies this fundamental unity, being the very essence that holds this grand illusion (Māyā) together, making it appear as a coherent, unbroken reality.

Cosmic Stability and Order As the one who upholds the entire, unbroken cosmos, Bhairava symbolizes cosmic stability. He is the bedrock upon which all existence rests, preventing its disintegration into chaos. This is an aspect of his power that ensures the laws of nature, dharma, and karma are perpetually maintained.

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Text and sources

The name list follows the Kalabhairava Sahasranama as compiled for this project. The English meaning and elaboration are interpretive notes for devotional study, not a translation of a single critical edition.

Read the editorial method and source notes →

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