Vidyeshvara, Vidyeśvara, Vidya-ishvara: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Vidyeshvara 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 Vidyeśvara can be transliterated into English as Vidyesvara or Vidyeshvara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu Iconograpy

Vidyeśvara (विद्येश्वर) are the beings through whom the lower order of beings should attain higher evolutionary stages. The vijñānakala souls that have their mala in a high state of paripakva are those of the eight Vidyeśvaras and next to them come the Mantreśvaras. Having been given pure body, deeds, bhuvanas and enjoyments (śuddha-tanu, karaṇa, bhuvana, bhoga), these slowly get rid of their mala, by the destructive action of Śiva.

There are eight vidyeśvaras defined each having different colours:

  1. Ananteśa (blood-red),
  2. Sūkṣma (white),
  3. Śivottama (blue),
  4. Ekanetra (yellow),
  5. Ekarudra (black),
  6. Trimūrti (crimson),
  7. Śrīkaṇṭha (another kind of red),
  8. Śikhaṇḍi (dark-brown).

When depicting them, their figures should have each one face with three eyes, adorned with a jaṭāmakuṭa, yajñopavīta and all other ornaments.

The Pūrvakāraṇāgama says they should carry in their back hands the śūla and the ṭaṅka and keep their front ones in the varada and abhaya poses. But the Viṣṇudharmottara states that their front hands should be kept in the añjali pose, and the back ones should carry the bāṇa and the triśūla. Detailed descriptions of each of these vidyeśvaras are found in the Aṃśumadbhedāgama.

These vidyeśvaras, in conjunction with the Śaktis (e.g., Vāmā, Jyeṣṭhā Raudrī, Kālī, Kalavikaraṇī, Balavikaraṇī, Balapramathanī and Sarvabhūtadamanī) are made by Paramaśiva to create the universe. It may be noted that all these eight aspects of Śiva pacific in their nature and are residents of the pure regions (śuddhabhavana)

Shilpashastra book cover
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Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Vidyeshvara in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Vidyeśvara (विद्येश्वर) or Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā refers to one of the seven books (saṃhitās) of the Śiva-purāṇa, according to the Śivapurāṇa-māhātmya 1.30-34.—“[...] This work consists of twenty-four thousand verses divided into seven saṃhitās (compendiums) [viz., vidyeśvara-saṃhitā]. The three kinds of Devotion [(1) by meditation, (2) recital of prayer and (3) acts of worship and service] are fully explained in it. It must be listened to with great respect. [...] This divine Purāṇa of seven saṃhitās and called after Śiva stands on an equal footing with Brahman (i.e. Vedic Texts) and accords an achievement that is superior to everything else. He who reads the entire Śivapurāṇa without omitting any of the seven saṃhitās can be called a Jīvanmukta (a living liberated soul)”.

Purana book cover
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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.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Vidyeshvara in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vidyeśvara (विद्येश्वर) and Uttamā (or Mahāvidyā) refers to the pair of God and Goddess appearing in the sixteenth Kalpa (aeon), according to the Kularatnoddyota.—Chapter nine of the Kularatnoddyota opens with the goddess asking how the Kula tradition (kulāmnāya) will be worshipped along with its mantras and Vidyās and who will bring it down (avatāraka) into the world in the various cosmic aeons (kalpa). After explaining that it is brought down into the world by incarnations or aspects of both the god and the goddess (aṃśamātra), the god goes on to list the names of these aspects—a goddess and her consort [i.e., Mahāvidyā—Vidyeśvara]—in nineteen aeons (kalpa), many of which we recognize from the earlier version in the Tantrasadbhāva.—(cf. Jayadrathayāmala-tantra of the Kāpālikas).

Shaktism book cover
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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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vidyeshvara in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Vidyeśvara (विद्येश्वर).—Name of Śiva.

Derivable forms: vidyeśvaraḥ (विद्येश्वरः).

Vidyeśvara is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms vidyā and īśvara (ईश्वर). See also (synonyms): vidyeśa.

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

1) Vidyeśvara (विद्येश्वर):—[from vidyā > vid] m. (with Śaivas) Name of a class of emancipated beings, [Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a magician, [Daśakumāra-carita]

[Sanskrit to German]

Vidyeshvara 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.

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