Sahasranama position 308 of the 1,000 names

Devendraya

देवेन्द्राय

Devendrāya

What Devendraya means

Devendraya is name 308 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who is the divine king of all the celestial gods, like Indra.

Also spelled

  • Devendra
  • Source transliteration: DEVENDRAAYA

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 king of all the celestial gods, like Indra.

Elaboration

The name Devendrāya is a compound of Deva and Indra, meaning "Lord of the Devas" or "Divine Indra." This epithet for Kalabhairava signifies his supreme authority over the celestial hierarchy.

Lord of the Devas While Indra is traditionally known as the king of the Devas (celestial gods), applying "Devendra" to Kalabhairava elevates his status far beyond that of the Vedic Indra. It means that Kalabhairava is the ultimate sovereign even over Indra himself and all other deities who reside in the heavens. Indra, though powerful in his own realm, is still subject to the higher cosmic laws and powers embodied by Shiva, and by extension, Kalabhairava.

Cosmic Governance This name emphasizes Kalabhairava's role in the complete governance of the cosmos. It implies that the ordered functioning of the heavens, the actions of the Devas, and the maintenance of dharma (cosmic order) within the celestial spheres are all under his direct supervision and control. He is the ultimate ruler whose will dictates the functioning even of the gods who rule various aspects of the universe.

Supreme Authority and Transcendence By being called Devendra, Kalabhairava demonstrates his transcendence over all other divine beings. He is not merely a fierce aspect of Shiva, but the very essence of supreme divine authority, capable of commanding and controlling even the most powerful celestial entities. This establishes his position as the ultimate, unchallengeable power in the cosmic scheme, where even the "kings of gods" bow before him.

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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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