Sahasranama position 425 of the 1,000 names

Parashilaya

परशीलाय

Paraśīlāya

What Parashilaya means

Parashilaya is name 425 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who possesses the most supreme and excellent character.

Also spelled

  • Parashila
  • Parasilaya
  • Source transliteration: PARASHIILAAYA

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 possesses the most supreme and excellent character.

Elaboration

The name Parashīlāya is a compound of the Sanskrit terms Parama (or Para) and Shīla.

Parama (or Para): This prefix denotes "supreme," "highest," "ultimate," "excellent," "transcendent," or "beyond."

Shīla: This term translates to "character," "conduct," "nature," "disposition," "virtue," or "moral excellence." In a spiritual context, it signifies unwavering ethical integrity and a divine nature.

Supreme Character Therefore, Parashīla means "one whose character is supreme" or "one who possesses the highest virtues." This designates Kalabhairava as the embodiment of all divine, ethical, and spiritual excellence. His nature is inherently pure, perfect, and beyond any blemish or imperfection. He represents the ideal of dharma (righteousness) in its most absolute form.

Transcendent Morality This name elevates Kalabhairava above ordinary moral standards, suggesting that his conduct and nature are not merely good but are the very source and definition of goodness itself. His actions, even his seemingly fierce ones, are always rooted in ultimate truth, justice, and the welfare of creation. He is the standard by which all other virtues are measured.

Essence of Divine Virtues Acknowledging Kalabhairava as Parashīla is to recognize him as the ultimate repository of virtues such as compassion, wisdom, justice, detachment, and fearlessness. While he may manifest in a terrifying form, this is a functional aspect for specific cosmic purposes; his inherent character, his *shīla*, remains supremely pure and beneficent. This name underscores the paradox of Bhairava, who appears formidable but whose essence is supremely benevolent and virtuous.

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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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