Citkalā (चित्कला, IAST: Citkalā) is a Sanskrit-origin Hindu girl-name meaning “She who is the luminous ray of pure consciousness”. From cit (pure consciousness) and kalā (a ray, digit, or subtle part), this name reveals Lalitā as a radiant fragment of the undivided light of awareness itself.

Meaning, etymology & significance

In Sanskrit philosophy, cit denotes pure, self-luminous consciousness that is the bedrock of all existence. Kalā refers to a portion or a ray — as the moon has sixteen kalās, consciousness also manifests in graduated degrees of expression. Citkalā therefore names the Goddess as a luminous ray of that infinite awareness, herself shining as both source and manifestation.

This elegant two-syllable compound is a beautiful given name for a girl, carrying deep philosophical resonance. It is an epithet of Lalitā highlighting her non-dual nature as consciousness itself. Pronounced chit-kah-LAA.

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Scriptural source

Citkalā appears in the Lalitha Sahasranama, among the sacred names of Lalitha.