The Sanskrit term Sahasraśiras can be transliterated into English as Sahasrasiras or Sahasrashiras, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Wisdom Library: Varāha-purāṇa

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्) is the name of a mountain situated at lake Asitoda and mount Vipula, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 75. The Vipula mountain lies on the western side of mount Meru, which is one of the seven mountains located in Jambūdvīpa, ruled over by Āgnīdhra, a grandson of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्) refers to one who has a “thousand heads”, and is used as an epithet for Śeṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.31. Accordingly as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] O excellent sage, in the meantime a celestial voice arose, even as Dakṣa, the Devas and others were listening. The celestial Voice said:—‘[...] That Śakti is Śivā, Satī, the dust from whose feet is worn everyday by Śeṣa with his thousand heads [i.e., sahasraśiras]. Satī is the beloved of Śiva by meditating upon whose lotus-like feet for ever and by worshipping which Viṣṇu attained his Viṣṇu-hood’”.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्) refers to the “thousand-headed (lord of the snakes)”, according to the Kularatnoddyota, one of the earliest Kubjikā Tantras.—Accordingly, “That, O goddess, is said to be the subtle (form), now listen to the gross one. [...] She holds a skull, dagger, javelin and ascetic’s staff. Fierce, she holds a knife, a great noose and sword. (She also holds) a thunderbolt, spear, bow, arrows and double-headed drum. Her neck is adorned with the great lord of snakes. She wears a snake as a sacred thread and (her) girdle is tied with that also. She is adorned with the thousand-headed lord of the snakes (who is) on (her) head [i.e., sahasraśiras—sahasraśirasā mūrdhni pannagendreṇa bhūṣitā]. Snakes are (her) anklets and bangles. Her topknot has the form of a burning fire and scorpions are (her) rings”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्).—a. thousandheaded (epithet of Viṣṇu); सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः (sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ) Ṛv.1. 9.1; सहस्रशीर्षापि ततो गरुत्मता (sahasraśīrṣāpi tato garutmatā) Bhāgavata 4.1.1.

Sahasraśiras is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sahasra and śiras (शिरस्). See also (synonyms): sahasraśīrṣan, sahasraśīrṣa.

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

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्).—[adjective] thousand-headed.

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

Sahasraśiras (सहस्रशिरस्):—[=sahasra-śiras] [from sahasra] mfn. th°-headed, [Rāmāyaṇa; Bhāgavata-purāṇa; Pañcarātra]

[Sanskrit to German]

Sahasrashiras 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shiras, Sahasra.

Starts with: Sahasrashirasa.

Full-text: Sahasrashirshan, Sahasrashirsha, Asitoda.

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Sahasrashiras, Sahasraśiras, Sahasrasiras, Sahasra-shiras, Sahasra-śiras, Sahasra-siras; (plurals include: Sahasrashirases, Sahasraśirases, Sahasrasirases, shirases, śirases, sirases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Purana Bulletin

Eulogy of Visnu by Kasyapa < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]

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The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)

Chapter 72 - Praise of the Lord: Conclusion < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]

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