Tripuradahaika­sthairyavishvarathod­vaha (त्रिपुरदाहैकस्थैर्यविश्वरथोद्वह, IAST: Tripuradāhaikasthairyaviśvarathod­vaha) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu boy-name meaning “Cosmic support ensuring the steadiness for the burning of Tripura”. This grand compound — tripura (the three demonic cities) + dāha (burning, conflagration) + eka (sole, unique) + sthairya (steadiness, firmness) + viśva (universal) + ratha (chariot) + udvaha (bearer, one who carries) — honors Vishnu as the one who bore the entire universe as Śiva's chariot, providing the singular steadiness that made the burning of the Tripura fortresses possible.

Meaning, etymology & significance

According to the Purāṇic narrative, when Śiva prepared to destroy the three aerial cities of the asuras — collectively called Tripura — the gods declared that the entire cosmos must become his chariot so that the shot could be perfectly aligned; Vishnu in His form as the universal support (Viśvaratha) became the chariot itself, holding all of creation in steady equilibrium at the critical moment. The epithet thus exalts Vishnu not as a rival to Śiva but as the indispensable cosmic foundation without whom even Śiva's supreme act could not have been accomplished — a beautiful Purāṇic affirmation of divine cooperation. The name is a theological jewel, encoding the concept that Vishnu's sustaining power underlies every great cosmic event.

This is one of the most elaborate epithets in the Sahasranama and is treasured in scholarly and devotional commentaries for the richness of its mythological allusion. It is entirely a liturgical and meditative name; for practical given-name use, Viśvarvaha or Vishvaratha are the elegant abbreviated choices. Devotees encounter this name as a meditation on Vishnu's role as the ground of all divine action.

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Scriptural source

Tripuradahaika­sthairyavishvarathod­vaha appears in the Vishnu Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Vishnu.