Shodashasvara, Ṣoḍaśasvara, Ṣoḍaśasvarā, Shodasha-svara: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Shodashasvara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Ṣoḍaśasvara and Ṣoḍaśasvarā can be transliterated into English as Sodasasvara or Shodashasvara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramṢoḍaśasvara (षोडशस्वर) or simply Ṣoḍaśa refers to the “sixteen vowels”, 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, “(Kuṇḍalinī) in her straight form (ṛjvī) is in the little-known (aprasiddha) place. Once she has filled the lake of nectar in the end of the sixteen (vowels) (ṣoḍaśānta), she who is the living being (jīvarūpiṇī) fills everything right up to the living being. In the form of the well-known senses (akṣa), she measures out time. She acts within the world of transmigratory existence and regulates the path to liberation. She is endowed with the 21,600 (breaths) enumerated in relation to the fettered soul in accord with the (Yogic) teaching concerning night and day”.
The commentary on these lines in the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā explains that: “Thus she is the one at the ‘end of the sixteen’ [i.e., ṣoḍaśāntā], that is, she is at the end of the sixteen vowels [i.e., ṣoḍaśasvara-antā]. The meaning is that she is the supreme (energy) of Unstruck Sound (anacka) and is without (phonemic) measure (nirmātrā). Here itself she is the living being because (she) fills (the body)”.
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.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraṢoḍaśasvara (षोडशस्वर) refers to “sixteen vowels” (adorning the sixteen petals of a great wheel), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 6.28-32ab, while describing the śaśimaṇḍala]—“[The Mantrin] should write the name [of the afflicted] in the middle of a great wheel [that] has sixteen petals. [He] adorns [the wheel] with the sixteen vowels (ṣoḍaśasvara-bhūṣita), and encloses it with the mantra using the ādyanta pattern. The Mantrin should draw, as before, the jīva in the middle of saḥ, etc., protected at the end with the covering [i.e., the mantra]. The amṛteśa-mantra envelops [him] on all sides, at each syllable, in the middle of all petals, in the middle of the lunar orb. [...]”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Svara, Shodasha.
Full-text: Shodasha, Nirmatra, Jivarupini, Shodashanta.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Shodashasvara, Ṣoḍaśa-svara, Ṣoḍaśasvara, Ṣoḍaśasvarā, Shodasha-svara, Sodasasvara, Sodasa-svara, Ṣoḍaśa-svarā; (plurals include: Shodashasvaras, svaras, Ṣoḍaśasvaras, Ṣoḍaśasvarās, Sodasasvaras, svarās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Cidgaganacandrika (study) (by S. Mahalakshmi)
Verse 81 [Ṣoḍaśasvara—Sixteen vowels] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]
The Linga Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 104 - The eulogy of the lord (devastuti) < [Section 1 - Uttarabhāga]