One of the major names of Śiva (Shiva) featuring in the Aṣtottarasahasranāmastotra (Ashtottarasahasranamastotra; an incantation recounting one thousand and eight names of Śiva). Elucidating this appellation of Śiva, Nīlakaṇṭha (Nilakantha), the commentator of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata) observes –

adambhaḥ nāsti dambho damako yasya.

The term adambha literally refers to the one having no dambha or vanity [a compound word stemming from the word forming process of bahuvrīhi samāsa (bahuvrihi samasa)]. In the lexicon Bacaspatya (Bachaspatya) a verse from Purāṇas (Puranas) is mentioned while locating the definition of adambha. According to this verse, one who is not deceitful, who undertakes noble tasks without any avarice towards fame and glory, is Adambha –

adambhaḥ śaṭhatāhīnaṃ karma kuryyādalolupaḥ.

Śiva, instated much beyond the limits of dambha or vanity, deceit or rapacity for fame, is known as Adambha.