As a deity name
Name 212 of the Narasimha Sahasranāma — Brahmanda Purana / Narasimha Purana, as taught by Sages to Assembly of Devotees
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
alternation, alternative, option, &c. (˚pena ‘optionally’)
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (5)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "vikalpāya" is the dative of "vikalpa" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
M3 · meaning shifts "vikalpa" is derived from "vi" with the kalpap suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
1. vi m. (nom. vis or ves acc. vim gen. abl. ves; pl. nom. acc. vayas [acc. vīn, Bhaṭṭ.]; vibhis, vibhyas, vīnām) a bird (also applied to horses, arrows, and the Maruts), RV.; VS.; PañcavBr., (also occurring in later language).
vi [cf. 1. vayas; Gk. οἰωνός for ὀϝιωνος; Lat. a-vis; accord. to some Germ. Ei; Angl.Sax. ǽg; Eng. egg.]
1. vi—kalpa m. (for 2. See under vi-√ kḷp) an intermediate Kalpa, the interval between two Kalpas. (q.v.), BhP.
vi-kalpa &c. See under vi-√ kḷp.
Related forms
Dictionary citations
1. vi—kalpa m. (for 2. See under vi-√ kḷp) an intermediate Kalpa, the interval between two Kalpas. (q.v.), BhP.
vi-kalpa &c. See under vi-√ kḷp.
1. vi m. (nom. vis or ves acc. vim gen. abl. ves; pl. nom. acc. vayas [acc. vīn, Bhaṭṭ.]; vibhis, vibhyas, vīnām) a bird (also applied to horses, arrows, and the Maruts), RV.; VS.; PañcavBr., (also occurring in later language).
vi [cf. 1. vayas; Gk. οἰωνός for ὀϝιωνος; Lat. a-vis; accord. to some Germ. Ei; Angl.Sax. ǽg; Eng. egg.]
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