Keçava

Keçava - a name for Kåñëa. When the word keça is taken to mean the Keçi demon, the word va is connected to the verbal root vadh, to kill. In this sense, Keçava means the slayer of the Keçi demon. Another meaning of keça is hair. When this is combined with the verbal root vah (to wear or possess), Keçava means one who has beautiful long hair. Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura has given two further explanations of the name Keçava: keçän vayate saàskärotéti keçava, when keça is combined with the verbal root ve (to braid), Keçava means one who expertly braids and decorates the hair of His beloved, Çrématé Rädhikä; and ko brahmä éço mahädeva tävapi vayase vaçékaroñé, the syllable ka refers to Brahmä, the word ésa refers to Mahädeva and the verbal root ve here is used in the sense of bringing under control. Thus Keçava means one who brings even Brahmä and Mahädeva under His control.