Meaning and elaboration
Meaning: Salutations To The one who is the spiritual preceptor (guru) to both the gods and the demons.
Elaboration
The name Devāsuragurave consists of three Sanskrit words: Deva, Asura, and Guru.
Deva: Divine beings, gods, celestial entities. These beings typically represent the forces of order, righteousness, and preservation in the cosmos.
Asura: Often translated as demons, anti-gods, or powerful beings who frequently oppose the Devas. They embody forces of chaos, ego, and destruction, though not always inherently evil.
Guru: A spiritual teacher, preceptor, guide, or master who dispels darkness (Gu - darkness, Ru - dispeller).
Universal Spiritual Preceptor This name signifies the supreme impartiality and all-encompassing wisdom of Kalabhairava. To be the Guru of both Devas and Asuras means he stands beyond the dualities of good and evil, light and darkness, creation and destruction, that characterize the manifest universe. He is the ultimate source of knowledge and spiritual guidance for all beings, regardless of their nature or allegiances. His teachings are fundamental, and he is the source of all wisdom (para vidya - supreme knowledge, and apara vidya - lower knowledge).
The Source of All Knowledge As the Guru of both, he embodies the total knowledge that underlies cosmic existence. The Devas might learn principles of cosmic order, dharma, and preservation from him, while the Asuras might learn about power, dissolution, and the pursuit of their own ends. This doesn't imply he endorses their negative actions but that all forms of knowledge originate from him. He is the ultimate fount of all learning, whether it pertains to material power (gained by Asuras) or spiritual wisdom (sought by Devas and Sadhus).
Beyond Duality (Advaita) This aspect points towards the ultimate non-dual (Advaitic) nature of the Divine. Kalabhairava, as a manifestation of Shiva, transcends all distinctions. He is not bound by the ethical frameworks of the phenomenal world but presides over the fundamental principles that govern all existence, embracing both the constructive and destructive forces as part of the cosmic play. He is the witness and the ultimate reality from which all perspectives, even opposing ones, emanate.
-