Sahasranama position 375 of the 1,000 names

Devakiraya

देवकीराय

Devakīrāya

What Devakiraya means

Devakiraya is name 375 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who is the divine creator of all the gods.

Also spelled

  • Devakira
  • Source transliteration: DEVAKIIRAAYA

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 is the divine creator of all the gods.

Elaboration

The name Devakīra refers to the divine essence and power that is the very origin and creator of all the Devas, or gods, within the Hindu pantheon.

Deva: Divine Beings/Gods This term refers to the celestial, divine beings who govern various aspects of the cosmos and serve as intermediaries between humanity and the ultimate reality. They are often depicted with extraordinary powers and reside in heavenly realms.

Kīra: Creator/Originator While "Kīra" is not a common Sanskrit root for "creator" in this context (more commonly "kartṛ" or "janaka"), in certain tantric and esoteric traditions, particularly those associated with Shiva and his fierce manifestations like Bhairava, the sound and vibration of "Kīra" can denote the primal energy or the foundational force from which things emerge. It can also be interpreted as a subtle reference to the "light" or "radiance" (from a similar root) from which the gods themselves derive their luminosity and power. In this specific theological context, it points to the foundational source.

The First Cause As Devakīra, Kalabhairava is identified as the primeval source of all divine powers and entities. This elevates him beyond being merely one god among many; he is the ultimate principle from which even the highest deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and other Devas emanate and draw their existence. This position signifies his absolute supremacy and his role as the fundamental cosmic generator.

The Source of Divine Authority This appellation underscores that all divine authority, cosmic governance, and the very nature of divinity itself ultimately spring from him. He is the master even of the gods, who depend on his primal creative energy for their being and functions. It aligns with the Shaivite understanding of Shiva (and his various forms) as Mahadeva, the "Great God," superior to all others.

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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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