sarva

Sarva, derived from the Sanskrit word sarva (Devanagari: सर्व), meaning "all" or "every," is a term used across Indian languages to denote universality or totality. It functions as both an independent adjective and the root of many compound words. In classical Sanskrit, sarva carries the sense of world-encompassing or all-encompassing.

In religious, philosophical, and literary contexts, sarva appears in compounds and phrases that emphasize totality. Examples include sarva-dharma (the all-encompassing path or the idea that all dharmas are valid), and sarva-vidya (comprehensive knowledge). The term is also found in titles and epithets that convey universality, such as phrases describing omnipresence or omniscience. In Advaita and other Indian philosophical traditions, usages such as sarva-dharma-samabhava appear to articulate a concept of universality among diverse practices.

In modern usage, Sarva is also used as a personal name in India and among South Asian communities. As a given name, it is often chosen for its meaning of inclusivity or wholeness; it may be used for any gender depending on naming conventions in families. The spelling sarva (with diacritics: sarva) is common in transliteration from Devanagari (सर्व).

The term is primarily linguistic and cultural rather than a standalone modern institution, and its significance arises from its role within Sanskrit and Hindu philosophical vocabulary, where it underpins the idea of universality that pervades many religious and ethical traditions.