Sahasra

What does Sahasra mean?

Sahasra means ‘a thousand’ in Sanskrit and Hindi. Wiktionary records the numeral, and Monier-Williams lists compounds that use it in the titles of thousand-name hymns. These provide a devotional association, but the word itself is simply a number. The name spelling सहस्रा adds a long final vowel that the numeral lacks. The cited dictionary evidence supports the numerical meaning rather than a documented history for that feminine name form.

Source: Wiktionary, सहस्र. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

सहस्रा is read sa-has-raa, in three syllables with a long ending; the numeral सहस्र has a short final vowel. Keep s and r together near the end. Sahasra does not mark this length difference in Roman letters. The spelling सहस्त्र adds a t and is treated separately in the dictionary.

Sahasra in tradition and story

A sahasranama is a hymn of a thousand names, such as the Vishnu Sahasranama or Lalita Sahasranama. The related word sahasrāra, ‘thousand-petalled’, also names the crown chakra in yogic texts.