Sahasranama position 254 of the 1,000 names

Tattvagrihecharaya

तत्त्वगृहेचराय

Tattvagṛhecarāya

What Tattvagrihecharaya means

Tattvagrihecharaya is name 254 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one who wanders in the house of ultimate truth and reality.

Also spelled

  • Tattvagrihechara
  • Tattvagrhecaraya
  • Source transliteration: TATTVAGRIHECARAAYA

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 wanders in the house of ultimate truth and reality.

Elaboration

The name Tattvagṛhecarāya is a profound compound derived from "Tattva," "Gṛha," and "Cara," which together paint a vivid picture of Kalabhairava's deep connection to ultimate truth.

Tattva: Ultimate Truth and Reality The Sanskrit word "Tattva" is extremely rich in philosophical import. It means "thatness," "true nature," "principle," or "reality." In various schools of Hindu philosophy, Tattvas refer to the fundamental categories or principles that constitute the universe. For instance, in Samkhya, there are 25 Tattvas, and in Shaivism, there can be 36 or even more. These Tattvas represent the very fabric of existence, from the gross material elements to the subtlest spiritual principles and consciousness itself. To be associated with Tattva means to embody, understand, and transcend these fundamental realities.

Gṛha: House, Abode, or Dwelling "Gṛha" literally means "house" or "home." In a metaphorical sense, it signifies the sphere, realm, or domain where something resides or is contained. When combined with Tattva, "Tattva-gṛha" refers to the "house of truth" or the "abode of ultimate reality"—the entire cosmic structure of principles that define existence.

Cara: Wanderer, Dweller, or Mover "Cara" implies one who moves, wanders, or resides. It highlights an active engagement with the space or concept it is associated with.

The Wanderer in the House of Truth Thus, Tattvagṛhecara describes Kalabhairava as the one who "wanders in the house of ultimate truth and reality." This signifies several profound aspects:

1. Embodiment of Cosmic Principles: He is not merely aware of the Tattvas; he moves within them, comprehends them completely, and transcends them. He is the very Consciousness that pervades and orchestrates all the fundamental principles of the universe.

2. Master of Reality: His "wandering" is not aimless but rather an expression of his absolute mastery and intimate knowledge of every aspect of existence, from the lowest material Tattva to the highest spiritual Tattva. He is the knower of all realities, large and small, subtle and gross.

3. Transcendence: While he "resides" within truth, he also transcends it. He is the substratum upon which all Tattvas emerge and dissolve. His dwelling in the "house of Tattva" implies that he is the ultimate source and final destination of all principles of reality.

4. Guide to Truth: For devotees, this name indicates that Kalabhairava can guide them through the labyrinthine paths of reality, helping them to discern ultimate truth from illusion. By meditating on him, one can gain insight into the true nature of existence.

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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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