The Sanskrit term Ṣoḍaśākṣara can be transliterated into English as Sodasaksara or Shodashakshara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ṣoḍaśākṣara (षोडशाक्षर) refers to the “(division of) sixteen syllables”, according to the commentary on the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, “[...] All this is (right) in the centre of the causal Fire and is pervaded by (the Yoni). That is said to be the supreme part (pada i.e. syllable) within which all the parts are present. That part is clearly attained by the division of the sixteen syllables [i.e., ṣoḍaśākṣara]. The first group of four generates the unfailing Command. The second group of four leads to Kubjinī’s abode. The third one is called the Vidyā of Power (śakti) and leads to that most excellent abode. The fourth attains the abode which is the Divine Current and (this cannot be attained) in any other way”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Ṣoḍaśākṣara (षोडशाक्षर):—[from ṣo-ḍaśa > ṣaṣ] a n. (for 2. See under 2. ṣoḍaśa,) the 16th syllable, [Indische Studien by A. Weber]

2) [from ṣoḍaśa > ṣaṣ] b mfn. (for 1. See under 1. ṣo-ḍaśa) having 16 syllables, [Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā; Pañcaviṃśa-brāhmaṇa; ???]

[Sanskrit to German]

Shodashakshara in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). 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)

Partial matches: Akshara, Shodasha.

Full-text: Paryanta.

Relevant text

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