848. Udārakīrtiḥ

Udārakīrtiḥ reveals the Divine Mother as the possessor of exalted and universal glory. Her fame arises not from worldly power but from her infinite compassion, wisdom, generosity, and liberating grace. Revered by gods, sages, and devotees alike, she is celebrated throughout all worlds as the source of life, knowledge, protection, and spiritual freedom.

Udārakīrtiḥ (उदारकीर्तिः)

This is the 848th name of the Lalitā Sahasranāma.

After describing the Divine Mother's exquisite beauty as Talodarī, the Sahasranāma now praises the greatness that shines through that beauty:

Udārakīrtiḥ: She of noble fame; She whose glory is exalted and boundless; She whose renown is celebrated throughout all worlds because of her infinite compassion, wisdom, power, and grace.

This name shifts the focus from the beauty of her form to the greatness of her divine reputation.

1. Literal Meaning

Word-by-word

Udāra

  • noble,

  • exalted,

  • magnanimous,

  • generous,

  • sublime,

  • lofty.

Kīrtiḥ

  • fame,

  • glory,

  • renown,

  • celebrated greatness.

Literal translation

"She of noble fame."

or

"She whose glory is exalted."

or

"The One whose renown is sublime and universal."

2. Traditional Meaning

The commentators explain:

The Goddess is called Udārakīrtiḥ because her greatness, generosity, compassion, and divine powers are praised throughout all the worlds.

Her fame is not based on worldly achievement.

It arises from her infinite beneficence toward all beings.

3. What Makes Her Famous?

The Mother's glory comes from:

  • creating the universe,

  • sustaining all beings,

  • granting knowledge,

  • removing suffering,

  • bestowing liberation.

Her fame is the natural consequence of her divine nature.

4. Fame Rooted in Compassion

Ordinary fame is often temporary.

It depends on:

  • power,

  • wealth,

  • accomplishment.

The Mother's fame is eternal because it is rooted in compassion and truth.

Thus she is Udārakīrtiḥ.

5. Why Does This Name Follow Talodarī?

The sequence is beautiful.

Talodarī

The Mother possesses incomparable beauty.

Udārakīrtiḥ

Yet her greatness is not merely physical beauty.

Her glory arises from her virtues and divine qualities.

The Sahasranāma moves from external beauty to inner magnificence.

6. Śākta Meaning

In Śākta traditions, the Mother's fame extends through:

  • scriptures,

  • mantras,

  • temples,

  • sacred traditions,

  • the hearts of devotees.

Every act of grace increases her glory—not because she needs recognition, but because beings naturally celebrate her compassion.

7. Devotional Meaning

For devotees, this name evokes gratitude.

Countless saints, sages, and seekers have experienced the Mother's grace and sung her praises.

Her fame is carried through generations of devotion.

8. The Glory of Divine Generosity

The word udāra also means generous and magnanimous.

Thus Udārakīrtiḥ can imply:

"She whose fame arises from her boundless generosity."

She gives:

  • life,

  • wisdom,

  • protection,

  • liberation,

without expectation.

9. Advaita Vedāntic Meaning

Now the deeper layer.

A profound question

Can the Infinite truly possess fame?

The hidden teaching

Her "fame" is the recognition of her presence throughout existence.

Glory as Manifestation

The universe itself proclaims the Mother's glory.

Every:

  • star,

  • atom,

  • living being,

  • act of awareness

testifies to her presence.

This universal revelation is her kīrti (glory).

The Renown of Truth

Truth does not require advertisement.

Its greatness is self-evident.

Similarly, the Mother's glory arises naturally because she is Reality itself.

The Meaning of Udāra

At a deeper level, udāra means expansive, vast, unrestricted.

Thus Udārakīrtiḥ may also suggest:

Her glory is as boundless as existence itself.

No world exists where her presence is absent.

The Fame of the Self

Earlier names revealed:

  • Bhāvajñā – Knower of all hearts.

  • Muktinilayā – Abode of liberation.

Now we learn that the greatness of the Mother is celebrated because she is the source of wisdom, freedom, and existence itself.

Beyond Praise

Even infinite hymns cannot fully describe her.

All praise points toward her but can never exhaust her greatness.

Thus her glory forever transcends description.

Relation to Earlier Names

Observe the progression:

  • Talodarī – Embodiment of divine beauty.

  • Udārakīrtiḥ – Possessor of sublime and noble glory.

The Sahasranāma now moves from the beauty of the Mother's form to the greatness of her qualities and reputation.

The Non-Dual Meaning

At the highest level, Udārakīrtiḥ signifies the infinite Consciousness whose glory shines through all existence. Her fame is the universal recognition of the Supreme Reality manifesting as life, wisdom, beauty, and liberation.

A Deeper Contemplation

The name Udārakīrtiḥ reminds us that true greatness is not measured by power or achievement.

It is measured by the capacity to uplift others.

The Mother's glory is eternal because her compassion is eternal.

The sequence after Talodarī is especially meaningful.

The Mother is first revealed as beautiful.

Then we learn that her beauty is matched by immeasurable nobility and grace.

From a devotional perspective, Udārakīrtiḥ is the universally praised Mother whose kindness and protection are celebrated by countless devotees.

From a spiritual perspective, she is renowned because she leads beings from ignorance to wisdom.

From a Śākta perspective, her glory fills the worlds through scripture, mantra, and grace.

From an Advaitic perspective, her fame is the shining presence of Consciousness recognized throughout existence.

The Mother does not seek glory.

Her glory naturally radiates from her nature.

Ultimately, Udārakīrtiḥ teaches that the Divine Mother possesses a sublime and boundless glory arising from her infinite compassion, wisdom, and power. Her fame is celebrated across all worlds because she continually creates, sustains, guides, and liberates beings. Through this name, the seeker learns that true greatness lies in selfless benevolence and that the highest glory belongs to the Divine Mother, whose presence illumines all existence.

To contemplate Udārakīrtiḥ is to recognize the immeasurable nobility of the Divine Mother and to rejoice in the eternal glory of her grace.

One-line Essence

Udārakīrtiḥ reveals the Divine Mother as the one whose noble and boundless glory is celebrated throughout all worlds.