As a deity name
Name 735 of the Rama Sahasranāma — Padma Purana / Skanda Purana, as taught by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati
As a Hindi name
No reading on this path — this spelling has no entry in our Hindi sources, and no near neighbour is attested there either. We say so rather than invent one.
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
a great sacrifice or offering, a principal act of devotion (of these there are 5 accord. to -, viz. brahma-, deva-, pitṛ-, manuṣya-, and bhūta-yajña; cf. &c.; ), &c. &c.
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (3)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "mahāyajñāya" is the dative of "mahāyajña" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
Dictionary citations
mahā—yajña m. a great sacrifice or offering, a principal act of devotion (of these there are 5 accord. to Mn. iii, 69-71, viz. brahma-, deva-, pitṛ-, manuṣya-, and bhūta-yajña; cf. IW. 194 &c.; RTL. 411), ŚBr. &c. &c.
N. of Viṣṇu, MBh.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
Sources contain errors and engines have limits; every claim above carries its citation so you can verify it. This is guidance about names and their sources — not religious or astrological consultation. How we work · Our sources