Sahasranama, Sahasranāma, Sahasranāman, Sahasranaman: 7 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Pancaratra
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Sahasranama means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Sahasranāma (सहस्रनाम).—(Sahasra=thousand; nāma= name).

Hymns containing the thousand names of Viṣṇu, Śiva and Devī are generally known as Sahasranāma. The recitation of these names is considered to be annihilative of all sins. Sahasranāma of Viṣṇu is more popular.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Sahasranāma (सहस्रनाम) refers to the “thousand names” (of a particular deity, e.g., Viṣṇu), as discussed in the third chapter [fourth book] of the Jñānāmṛtasārasaṃhita: a Pāñcarātra text representing a sectarian glorification of Kṛṣṇa and Rādha (i.e., the cult of Radha-Krishna) dated among the latest of the Saṃhitā-type works.—Description of the chapter [pārvatīśivasaṃvāde śrīviṣṇornāmasahasram]: Here Śiva asks Bhagavān (=Kṛṣṇa) to show the best way to cleanse one-self from all sins. He is told that the 1000 names (sahasranāma) of the Lord Viṣṇu is the single-best means for this. Pārvatī, hearing this, wants to know more; she is told the ṛṣi, presiding deity, the meter, etc., of the 1000 names as well as the dhyāna-meditation that should precede the repetition of them (1-9). The 1000 names are listed (10-183). The remainder of the chapter (184-224) eulogizes the stotra just enumerated. It is stated (223) that mere repetition of the name Rāma three times is enough, in itself, to assure mukti.

2) Sahasranāma (सहस्रनाम) refers to the “thousand names of the Lord”, as discussed in chapter 20 of the (first part of the) Śāṇḍilyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 3600 Sanskrit verses dealing with devotion towards Kṛṣṇa who is identified with the Supreme, as well as ethical behavior and pious practices to be observed by devotees (bhaktas).—Description of the chapter [sahasranāma-varṇana]: The Ṛṣis ask Śāṇḍilya to explain the 1000 Names stotra and how he got it. He complies, giving also the virtues and potencies of this stotra, the use of which pleases the Lord (1-35). The remainder of the chapter is the 149-verse hymn praising the 1000 Names of Kṛṣṇa (36-184).

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sahasranāman (सहस्रनामन्).—[feminine] nāmnī thousand-named.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Sahasranāman (सहस्रनामन्) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—See especially Viṣṇusahasranāman.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Sahasranāman (सहस्रनामन्):—[=sahasra-nāman] [from sahasra] mf(mnī)n. th°-named, containing a th° names, [Atharva-veda; Pañcarātra]

2) [v.s. ...] n. [plural] (or -nāma [in the beginning of a compound]) the th° names (of any deity, [especially] of Viṣṇu), [Catalogue(s)]

[Sanskrit to German]

Sahasranama in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sahasranāma (ಸಹಸ್ರನಾಮ):—

1) [noun] a list of one thousand names of a deity (used in worshipping it).

2) [noun] a worshipping a deity reciting its one thousand names.

3) [noun] (sarc.) chiding; scolding; abuse.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 40 books and stories containing Sahasranama, Sahasranāma, Sahasra-nama, Sahasranāman, Sahasra-nāman, Sahasra-naman, Sahasranaman, Sahasra-nāma; (plurals include: Sahasranamas, Sahasranāmas, namas, Sahasranāmans, nāmans, namans, Sahasranamans, nāmas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Goddesses Durga and Lalita - A Contrast < [July – September 1974]

Book Reviews < [January – March, 2000]

Reviews < [July 1963]

+ 24 more chapters / show preview

Verse 4.19.3a < [Chapter 19 - A Thousand Names of Srī Yamunā]

Verse 8.13.4 < [Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma]

Chapter 13 - A Thousand Names of Lord Balarāma < [Canto 8 - Balabhadra-khaṇḍa]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview

Verse 2.28.168 < [Chapter 28 - The Lord’s Pastime of Accepting Sannyāsa]

Verse 2.28.166 < [Chapter 28 - The Lord’s Pastime of Accepting Sannyāsa]

Verse 3.1.262-265 < [Chapter 1 - Meeting Again at the House of Śrī Advaita Ācārya]

+ 4 more chapters / show preview