The Sanskrit term Ṣoḍaśabheda can be transliterated into English as Sodasabheda or Shodashabheda, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ṣoḍaśabheda (षोडशभेद) or simply Ṣoḍaśa refers to the “sixteen divisions” (of the thirty-three Gods ?), according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “ The sacred seat Jāla is the Unmanifest. It is well placed in the southern quarter. [...] The sacred seat (i.e. maṭha?) Ūṣma, very fierce, is pure in heaven and on the earth. The gesture is Vikārālyā, which removes the fear of phenomenal existence. Conjoined with the (secret) language and the Choma, this is the unstruck sound of Jālāvvā. Well known as the Vidyā, the three worlds bow to it. Accomplished, divine, with six faces, giving supreme bliss, the guardian of the field is called ‘Jaya’. I praise the sacred seat Jāla, revered by the gods, which is divided into sixteen divisions [i.e., ṣoḍaśabheda—ṣoḍaśair bhedabhinnam]”.

context information

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Prabhupada Books: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta

Ṣoḍaśabheda (षोडशभेद) or simply Ṣoḍaśa refers to the “sixteen varieties of regular devotional service”, according to the Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta 2.24.291ff.—Accordingly:—“[...] Within the category of regulative devotional service, there are also immature devotees. These are also of four varieties. Thus in regulative devotional service there are altogether sixteen varieties [i.e., ṣoḍaśabheda]. On the path of spontaneous devotional service, there are also sixteen categories of devotees. Thus there are thirty-two types of ātmārāmas enjoying the Supreme Lord on these two paths. When these thirty-two types of devotees are qualified with the words ‘muni’, ‘nirgrantha’, ‘ca’ and ‘api’, the meanings can be increased in different ways and very soundly elaborated upon. [...]”.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bheda, Shodasha.

Full-text: Shodasha.

Relevant text

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