Shrividya, Śrīvidyā, Shri-vidya: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaktism
2. General definition
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also
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Introduction:

Shrividya 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 term Śrīvidyā can be transliterated into English as Srividya or Shrividya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: The Ten Great Cosmic Powers (daśa Mahāvidyās)

Sri being a prefix used to denote auspiciousness, Sri Vidya means the knowledge, the knowledge that alone matters. It is the knowledge, by knowing which all other things are known, the Supreme knowledge that leads to liberation.

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Hindupedia: The Hindu Encyclopedia

Śrī Vidyā is one of the most comprehensive and popular Vidyās in Śāktā. In the context of Hindu spiritual practices, a Vidyā can be defined as the worship of a God/Goddess.

Literally Vidyā means learning; it is from the word-root “vid” - to know. Knowledge is called Veda, and learning is called Vidyā. This includes the knowledge to be gained, different stages in the process of gaining such knowledge, the purpose of such knowledge, the procedure and practices for learning, pitfalls and corrective measures and so on. “Śrī” means prosperity, auspiciousness, divinity. Śrī Devi is the Divine Mother who bestows bliss and plentitude on Her devotees. In Veda, She is praised as Śrī.

Lalita Sahasra nāma in Brahmānda Purāṇā, the hymn that praises the Mother with Her 1000 names, gives comprehensive description of Śrī Vidyā, its philosophy and methods. Besides, it is called yoga sahasra, which explains the secrets of all forms of yoga, and consciousness studies. Śrī Vidyā is a well developed form of Śāktā Tantra. The various constituent Vidyās are well organized and arranged in a more systematic hierarchy compared to other sampradāyas. śaundarya Lahari, a hymn composed in praise of the Mother in a hundred verses, is said to be one of the most beautiful and profound explanations of Śrī Vidyā. Śrī Vidyā is followed by śmārta as well as Tantric schools. There is no clear separation between them. śmriti followers are said to be śmārtas. They follow elements of tantra to the extent that they do not contradict śmritis.

Śrī Vidyā tantra has two major Vidyās, pancadāśi and Ṣodaśi. Pancadāśi is the mantra with 15 syllables. Ṣodaśi is the mantra with 16 syllables. Ṣodaśi is one of the 10 disciplines of Śāktā tantra, called dasa mahā-Vidyās. The Vidyā is called triputi, having three parts. They are Agni (fire), Surya (sun) and Candra (moon) khāndas (parts). The Mother is said to shine in these three worlds.

Source: Manblunder: Hinduism

Śrī Vidyā means auspicious knowledge. Everything concerned with Lalitāmbikā is auspicious. Knowledge about Her is passed on from a guru to his disciple by way of initiation. Guru initiates his disciple into a mantra japa called Pañcadaśī mantra or any other mantra of his choice.

The importance of Śrī Vidyā is the culture of guru-disciple relationship.

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Śrīvidyā (श्रीविद्या) is one of Shakta Tantrism’s most influential and theologically sophisticated movements. Its central symbol, the Sri Chakra, is probably the most famous visual image in all of Hindu Tantric tradition. Its literature and practice is perhaps more systematic than that of any other Shakta sect.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Śrīvidyā (श्रीविद्या) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] Report. Xxxii. Rice. 298 (and—[commentary]). Peters. 2, 198.

2) Śrīvidyā (श्रीविद्या):—Trailokyamohanakavacabhāṣya.

3) Śrīvidyā (श्रीविद्या):—[tantric] Gov. Or. Libr. Madras 100.

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

1) Śrīvidyā (श्रीविद्या):—[=śrī-vidyā] [from śrī] f. a form of Durgā, [Catalogue(s)]

2) [v.s. ...] exalted science (also Name of [work]), [ib.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Shrividya 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.

Relevant text

Search found 13 books and stories containing Shrividya, Shri-vidya, Sri-vidya, Śrī-vidyā, Śrīvidyā, Srividya; (plurals include: Shrividyas, vidyas, vidyās, Śrīvidyās, Srividyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Preface

Verse 293 [Eternal operation of Saṃhārakrama by Śakti] < [Chapter 4 - Fourth Vimarśa]

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Śrīvidyā and society in Nīlakaṇṭha Dīkṣita’s Saubhāgyacandrātapa < [Chapter 2 - The Making of the Smārta-Śaiva Community of South India]

Ardhanārīśvara Dīkṣita and the Birth of Samayin Śrīvidyā < [Chapter 2 - The Making of the Smārta-Śaiva Community of South India]

Śaṅkarācārya Worships the Goddess < [Chapter 2 - The Making of the Smārta-Śaiva Community of South India]

+ 11 more chapters / show preview

Reviews < [October 1938]

Muthuswami Dikshita < [January – March, 1987]

Seshendra: A Multifaceted Genius < [April – June, 2008]

+ 25 more chapters / show preview

Verse 1.11.1 < [Chapter 11 - Meeting with Śrī Īśvara Purī]