Riddhi, Ṛddhī, Ṛddhi: 20 definitions
Introduction
Riddhi means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Ṛddhī and Ṛddhi can be transliterated into English as Rddhi or Riddhi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstraṚddhī (ऋद्धी):—One of the sixty-seven Mahauṣadhi, as per Rasaśāstra texts (rasa literature). These drugs are useful for processing mercury (rasa), such as the alchemical processes known as sūta-bandhana and māraṇa.
Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚāktismṚddhi (ऋद्धि, “successful, magical”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.
Her mantra is as follows:
ॐ ऋद्ध्यै नमः
oṃ ṛddhyai namaḥ.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—Varuṇa’s wife. (Mahābhārata Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 9).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Ṛddhi (ऋद्धि).—The wife of Kubera; a brahmakalā; mother of Nalakūbara.*
- * Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 8. 46; IV. 35. 94; Vāyu-purāṇa 70. 41.
1b) A deity attendant on Vināyaka.*
- * Matsya-purāṇa 260. 55.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaṚddhi (ऋद्धि) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Habenaria edgeworthii Hook. f. ex Collett.” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning ṛddhi] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: Wisdom Library: HinduismṚddhi (ऋद्धि, “prosperity”):—Name of the younger of two wifes of Varuṇa, who is the presiding deity of the invisible world and represents the inner reality of things.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraṚddhi (ऋद्धि) or Ṛddhyabhijñā refers to “magical powers” and represents one of the five superknowledges (pañcābhijñā) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter X. It includes the four kinds of gamana or movement, nirmāṇa or creation and āryaṛddhi or noble magical power. Pañcābhijña represents one of the qualities possessed by the Bodhisattvas that accompanied the Buddha.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaṚddhi (ऋद्धि) refers to “spiritual power” and represents one of the “five deep knowledges” (pañcābhijñā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 20). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., pañca-abhijñāu and ṛddhi). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Ṛddhi or Ṛddhivaśitā refers to the “mastery of spiritual power” and represents one of the “ten masteries of the Bodhisattvas” (vaśitā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 74).
Ṛddhi or Ṛddhiprātihārya refers to the “miracle of spiritual power” and represents one of the “three kinds of miracles” (prātihārya) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 133).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Jaina YogaṚddhi (ऋद्धि, “wealth”) as in ṛddhi-mada refers to “pride in one’s wealth” and represents one of the eight forms of vainglory (mada), according to Samantabhadra in his Ratna-Karaṇḍa-śrāvakācāra (with commentary of Prabhācandra). These eight madas are included in the twenty-five blemishes (dṛg-doṣas), which are generally held to be the eight madas, the three mūḍhatās, the six anāyatanas, and the eight doṣas.
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraṚddhi (ऋद्धि) or Ṛddhigaurava refers to “(the vanity of) riches”, according to chapter 1.1 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra (“lives of the 63 illustrious persons”): a Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three important persons in Jainism.—Accordingly, in the sermon of Sūri Dharmaghoṣa:—“[...] the gift of supporting dharma (dharmopagrahadāna) is five-fold: purity of giver, receiver, gift, time, and thought. [... ] That gift would have purity of receiver, whose receiver is such a man [who is] lacking in three vanities (gaurava) [viz., ṛddhi-gaurava], [...]”.—(Cf. Samavāyāṅgasūtra 3, p. 9a. Uttarādhyayana 31.4).
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 3: The Lower and middle worldsṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—How many types of “extraordinary powers” (ṛddhis) are there? Some ascetics attain extraordinary powers to produce worldly miracles. Such attainments are called ṛddhi.
Ṛddhi (extraordinary powers) is of eight types, namely:
- intellect (buddhi),
- activity (kriyā),
- change of form (vikriyā),
- austerity (tapas),
- might (bala),
- healing power (auṣadhi),
- occult power to change food (rasa).
- power to ensure inexhaustible food and space (kṣetra).
The word extraordinary is attached as a prefix to each of these eight types.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
India history and geogprahy
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryṚddhi.—(EI 3), supernatural power. Note: ṛddhi is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryṛddhi (ऋद्धि).—f S Prosperous or thriving state. 2 Prosperity, riches, affluence.
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riddhi (रिद्धि).—f (Properly ddhi S) Wealth, riches, substance.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishṛddhi (ऋद्धि).—f Prosperous state. Prosperity, riches.
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riddhi (रिद्धि).—f Wealth. riddhisiddhi f Prosperity and perfection.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—f. [ṛdh-bhāve ktin]
1) Growth, increase. नियमर्द्धये (niyamarddhaye) Bhāg.12.8.9.
2) Success, prosperity; affluence, good fortune. तेषामृद्धिरतीवात्र (teṣāmṛddhiratīvātra) Bhāg.3.139.8.
3) Elevation, exaltation, greatness. संजीवितः शिशुरसौ मम चेयमृद्धिः (saṃjīvitaḥ śiśurasau mama ceyamṛddhiḥ) U.2.11.
4) (a) Extent, magnitude, excellence; परिच्छिन्नप्रभावर्द्धिर्न मया न च विष्णुना (paricchinnaprabhāvarddhirna mayā na ca viṣṇunā) Ku.2.58. (b) Grandeur, magnificence; व्यक्तर्धि वः क्रीडितम् (vyaktardhi vaḥ krīḍitam) Māl.5.22.
5) Supernatural power or supremacy, perfection.
6) Accomplishment.
7) Prosperity personified as the wife of Kubera.
8) Name of Pārvatī, and of Lakṣmī.
9) Name of a medicinal plant; (Mar. kevaṇī, muruḍaśeṃga)
1) magic; M. W.
Derivable forms: ṛddhiḥ (ऋद्धिः).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—f. (= Sanskrit id., Pali iddhi), supernatural or magic power, hardly significantly different from its Sanskrit use; ṛddhi-vaśitā Mahāvyutpatti 779, one of the 10 vaśitā of a Bodhisattva; knowledge of ṛ° is the fifth abhijñā, q.v.; ṛddhi-prātihārya, see prāti°; ṛddhi-balatā and -vaśitā, Mahāvastu iii.67.2; aiśvarya-ṛ° Mahāvastu ii.166.8 simply the magic power of aiśvarya, as in Sanskrit (otherwise Senart); see ṛddhi-pāda separately.
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Riddhi (रिद्धि).—possibly intended at Mahāvastu ii.322.1 for ṛddhi; see s.v. iddhi; in prose of Divyāvadāna 133.10; 134.15, 17, 20; 144.1; 160.25 f., always after a final vowel; sva-riddhi- (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 6.7 (prose).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—f.
(-ddhiḥ) 1. A medicinal plant; also siddhi. 2. Increase, growth. 3. Fortune, prosperity. 4. A name of the goddess Parvati. E. ṛdha to grow, &c., ktin aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—i. e. ṛdh + ti, f. 1. Plenty, [Indralokāgamana] 5, 26. 2. Wealth, [Kumārasaṃbhava, (ed. Stenzler.)] 2, 58. 3. Prosperity, [Rāmāyaṇa] 2, 105, 33. 4. Perfection, [Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, (ed. Burnouf.)] 9, 21, 12. 5. The deity of wealth, Mahābhārata 13. 6750.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryṚddhi (ऋद्धि).—[feminine] success, prosperity, welfare, happiness, perfection.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Ṛddhi (ऋद्धि):—[from ṛdh] f. increase, growth, prosperity, success, good fortune, wealth, abundance, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Taittirīya-saṃhitā; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra] etc. (personified as Kuvera’s wife, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa])
2) [v.s. ...] accomplishment, perfection, supernatural power, [Bhāgavata-purāṇa; Lalita-vistara] etc.
3) [v.s. ...] magic
4) [v.s. ...] a kind of medicinal plant, [Bhāvaprakāśa; Caraka]
5) [v.s. ...] Name of Pārvatī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] of Lakṣmī, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
7) [v.s. ...] ([Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; ]also) Name of Gaṇeśa’s wife, [Religious Thought and Life in India 215]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+4): Riddhibala, Riddhidatta, Riddhigaurava, Riddhika, Riddhikama, Riddhila, Riddhilakshmi, Riddhilamatar, Riddhiman, Riddhimant, Riddhimat, Riddhipada, Riddhipadanipata, Riddhipratiharya, Riddhisakshatkriya, Riddhisiddhi, Riddhita, Riddhivashita, Riddhividhi, Riddhividhijnana.
Ends with (+88): Abhivivriddhi, Abhivriddhi, Adhikddhi, Adivriddhi, Agnivriddhi, Alokavriddhi, Andavriddhi, Antarvriddhi, Antra Vriddhi, Antravriddhi, Anuvriddhi, Ardhavriddhi, Arthavriddhi, Asamriddhi, Ativriddhi, Atmavivriddhi, Atmavriddhi, Avyriddhi, Ayurvriddhi, Bhagyasamriddhi.
Full-text (+176): Riddhipada, Riddhimat, Vikramarddhi, Adhikarddhi, Adhikardhi, Paparddhi, Vittarddhi, Rajarddhi, Tapas, Vanarddhi, Aushadhi, Rasa, Yogarddhirupavat, Vrittadhyayanarddhi, Kriya, Iddhi, Kshetra, Padmasana, Kayotsarga, Mahddhi.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Riddhi, Ṛddhī, Ṛddhi, Rddhi; (plurals include: Riddhis, Ṛddhīs, Ṛddhis, Rddhis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 1 - The canonical definition of ṛddhividhi-jñāna < [Chapter XLIII - The Pursuit of the Six superknowledges]
II. Order of the superknowledges < [Part 1 - Becoming established in the six superknowledges]
Appendix 1 - The Great Miracle at Śrāvastī < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 8 - Mercurial operations (6): Confinement of Mercury (rodhana) < [Chapter IV-V - Mercurial operations]
The Garuda Purana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter XXI - Mode of worshipping, the Panchavaktra (fivefaced) manifestation of Shiva < [Agastya Samhita]
Chapter V - Creation of the Prajapatis < [Agastya Samhita]
Chapter XL - Maheshvara worship < [Agastya Samhita]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.2.137 < [Chapter 2 - Jñāna: Knowledge]
The Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CXVII < [Bhagavat-Yana Parva]
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)