As a deity name
Name 147 of the Shiva Sahasranāma — Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva), as taught by Sage Tandi to Sage Upamanyu
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
walking about at n˚
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (2)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "naktañcarāya" is the dative of "naktaṃcara" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
M3 · meaning shifts "naktaṃcara" is derived from "naktaṃ" with the caraṭ suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
naktaṃ (m before labials) ind. See 1. nakta.
naktaṃ ind. At night, by night; gacchaṃtīnāṃ ramaṇavasatiṃ yoṣitāṃ tatra naktaṃ Me. 37; Ms. 6. 19. Comp. — caraḥ 1 any animal that goes about at night. 2 a fiend, demon, goblin. 3 a thief. — caryā wandering by night. — cārin m. = naktacārin q. v. (pb) — dinaṃ night and day. — dinaṃ, -divaṃ ind. night and day.
naktaṃ—cara mf(ī)n. walking about at n˚
naktaṃ—cara m. any n˚-animal or creature, GṛS.; Gaut.; MBh. &c.
Related forms
Dictionary citations
naktaṃ—cara mf(ī)n. walking about at n˚
naktaṃ—cara m. any n˚-animal or creature, GṛS.; Gaut.; MBh. &c.
naktaṃ (m before labials) ind. See 1. nakta.
naktaṃ ind. At night, by night; gacchaṃtīnāṃ ramaṇavasatiṃ yoṣitāṃ tatra naktaṃ Me. 37; Ms. 6. 19. Comp. — caraḥ 1 any animal that goes about at night. 2 a fiend, demon, goblin. 3 a thief. — caryā wandering by night. — cārin m. = naktacārin q. v. (pb) — dinaṃ night and day. — dinaṃ, -divaṃ ind. night and day.
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