Sahasranama position 493 of the 1,000 names

Unmattakirtikrite

उन्मत्तकीर्तिकृते

Unmattakīrtikṛte

What Unmattakirtikrite means

Unmattakirtikrite is name 493 in the Kalabhairava Sahasranama, the 1,000-name devotional text to Kalabhairava. Salutations To The one whose fame is so great it appears ecstatic or mad.

Also spelled

  • Unmattakirtikrte
  • Source transliteration: UNMATTAKIIRTIKRITE

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 whose fame is so great it appears ecstatic or mad.

Elaboration

The name Unmattakīrtikṛte is a compound born from Unmatta, Kīrti, and Kṛte, describing a unique and awe-inspiring attribute of Kalabhairava.

Unmatta: This Sanskrit term means "mad," "frenzied," "ecstatic," "intoxicated," or "wild." In a spiritual context, it often refers to a state beyond ordinary consciousness, a divine madness that transcends dualities and conventional norms. While it can imply a loss of ordinary control, it frequently denotes an extreme, overwhelming intensity of being or experience.

Kīrti: This term signifies "fame," "glory," "renown," or "reputation." It indicates the widespread acknowledgment and celebration of one’s greatness or exceptional qualities.

Kṛte: This is a dative case ending indicating "for the sake of," "due to," or "for whom."

Thus, Unmattakīrtikṛte translates to "the one whose fame is like madness" or "the one who creates a fame that is ecstatic/wild."

Ecstatic Fame and Divine Madness This name points to Kalabhairava’s transcendent and unconventional nature. His glory is so immense, so powerful, and so utterly beyond human comprehension that it appears as madness or ecstasy from an ordinary perspective. It is a fame that cannot be contained by conventional understanding or praise.

Breaking Rationality The "madness" implies that his greatness shatters the bounds of rationality and conventional thought. His actions and his very being defy mundane logic, often appearing chaotic or extreme to those who cannot perceive the deeper cosmic order he embodies. This can be seen in his fierce appearance, his association with cremation grounds, and his role as the wild protector.

Inspiring Ecstasy in Devotees Furthermore, his fame can induce a state of spiritual ecstasy or "divine madness" in his devotees. Encountering his immense power and glory can lead one to a state of heightened consciousness where the ordinary world fades, and only his overwhelming presence remains, intoxicating the mind and spirit.

The Unconventional Supreme This name emphasizes that Kalabhairava is not merely glorious but gloriously unconventional, representing the untamed, unbound, and utterly overwhelming aspects of the Divine that surpass all limited understanding. His Kīrti (fame) is Unmatta (ecstatic/mad) because he embodies freedom from all societal norms and limitations, a truth that, when confronted, can feel like madness to the unprepared mind.

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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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