Sahasranama positions 70 and 80 of the 1,000 names

Kshamine

क्षमिणे

Kṣamiṇe

What Kshamine means

Kshamine is names 70 and 80 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of forgiveness and forbearance.

Also spelled

  • Ksamine
  • Source transliteration: KSHAMINE

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.

Name 70: KSHAMINE

Meaning: Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of forgiveness and forbearance.

Elaboration

The name Kshamī (K-sh-a-mī) is derived from the Sanskrit root "ksham" (क्षम्), which primarily means "to endure," "to be patient," "to forgive," or "to tolerate." Therefore, Kshamī signifies one who embodies forgiveness, patience, and forbearance in their most profound and ultimate forms.

Embodiment of Forgiveness (Kshamā) Kshamā (forgiveness) is one of the highest virtues in Indic spiritual traditions, often listed among the divine qualities (Daivī Sampad) that lead to liberation. As Kshamī, Lord Kalabhairava is the very personification of this virtue. This does not imply weakness but a supreme strength that allows for understanding and transcending the limitations and errors of beings. His forgiveness is cosmic, encompassing the myriad transgressions of all creation.

Supreme Forbearance and Patience Beyond forgiveness, Kshamī also denotes immense patience and forbearance. Kala Bhairava, as the Lord of time, witnesses the endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution, along with the countless actions (karma) of beings over eons. His attribute of Kshamā reflects an infinite capacity to tolerate imperfections and delays in the spiritual evolution of souls, guiding them through various lifetimes towards eventual liberation. This forbearance is a manifestation of his boundless compassion (Karuṇā).

The Great Tolerator In his fierce aspect, Bhairava punishes evil and maintains cosmic order. However, as Kshamī, he also embodies the principle that even punishment is ultimately a form of purification and a step towards ultimate good. He tolerates the ignorance and impurities of beings until the opportune moment for their transformation arrives. His tolerance extends to the dualities of existence, accepting all phenomena as aspects of his divine play (Līlā).

The Path to Inner Peace For devotees, meditating on Kalabhairava as Kshamī inspires the cultivation of forgiveness and patience within themselves. It helps to release grudges, cultivate understanding towards others, and develop resilience in the face of life's challenges. He teaches that true strength lies not in retaliation, but in the power to forgive and endure.

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Name 80: KSHAMINE

Meaning: Salutations To The one who is the very embodiment of forgiveness and forbearance.

Elaboration

The name Kshamī (Kṛśamī) derives from the Sanskrit root Kshama (क्षमा), which signifies patience, endurance, tolerance, and primarily, forgiveness.

The Embodiment of Forgiveness (Kṣamā) As Kshamī, Kalabhairava embodies the supreme virtue of Kṣamā, boundless forgiveness. This aspect is profound, especially in a deity who also personifies fierce justice and punitive action. His forgiveness is not merely an act of pardoning but a fundamental state of being. It reflects the cosmic capacity to tolerate all errors, transgressions, and imperfections of creation, holding the universe together with infinite patience. He absolves the karmic burden of sincere devotees who seek refuge in him, offering liberation from the cycle of sin and consequence.

Forbearance and Patience Kshamī also signifies immense forbearance and patience. Despite witnessing the endless array of human follies and the inherent struggles of existence, he sustains and guides all beings with an unwavering composure. This emphasizes his role as a compassionate and understanding guide, patiently waiting for souls to evolve and realize their true nature. His forbearance is a quality of his ultimate, unwavering nature, which is beyond agitation or perturbation.

Transcendent Tolerance In a deeper philosophical sense, his Kṣamā extends to his ability to tolerate the continuous unfolding of duality, suffering, and imperfection within the cosmic play, without being affected by it. He remains the unblemished, pure consciousness, allowing the drama of existence to unfold while subtly nudging it towards eventual spiritual perfection. This aspect reveals the underlying benevolence even within his terrifying form.

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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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