SHRI VIDYA

Shri Vidya is the ultimate concept in Goddess worship. Shri stands for Goddess
Lalitha Tripura Sundari and Vidya stands for knowledge, revelation, manifestation or
wisdom. The entire approach to Shri Vidya is a Secretive one (Guhya) and it should
be learnt through Guru only and not from books. For practitioners, the word Shri
may be a misnomer and shrim seems to be more appropriate.
The Hindu Goddess worship is practiced in five different ways and all these five
forms are permitted to Sakthas, a worshipper of Shakti or Goddess. One can
approach the Goddess either though Sthula (Image worship), Mantra (Charged
Mystical syllables), Tantra (esoteric), Kundalini (Serpent Power) and Parabrahma
Swarupi (Formless). The Shri Vidya concept is a unified approach that combines all
the individual approaches mentioned above. The practitioners of Shri Vidya claim
that their approach to Goddess is the most effective and one could achieve results
without fail.
Shri Vidya worship is not restricted to anyone. No caste system is recognized and
equal participation of women is accepted. This way, the entire concept is unique
and not influenced by local customs and prohibitions. Interestingly, this worship also
permits the use of fish, meat, alcoholic beaverages .
For eligibility to enter into this concept, one is to get initiation in Panchadasi, a
fifteen syllable Mantra along with a Shri Chakra or Shri Yantra. Please note that
before the initiation of Panchadasi, one must obtain proficiency in Ganapathy, Bala
and Mantrini Mantras. Proficiency can be obtained by repetition of these Mantras for
at least a few hundred thousand times as ordained by ones Guru. After obtaining
proficiency in Panchadasi by repeating the mantra several hundered thousand times
as ordained by the Guru, one will become eligible to receive the Shodasi Mantra
consisting sixteen syllables. After attaining proficiency in Shodsi, one will be eligible
to learn the Maha Shodasi Mantra consisting of twenty five syllables. Most of the
practioners stop either with Panchadasi or Shodasi and do not proceed with Maha
Shodasi. One should observe that there is no short cut approach to this. Everything
is time consuming and those who resort to short cut approach or through half baked
gurus may invariably land in problems.
Shri Lalitha the supreme Goddess lives beyond all universe with her consort
Kameshvara (Shiva) in a City called Shri Nagar situated in Ratna Dwipa(Island of
Jewels) formed in ocean of Amrita Sagar (ocean of Ambrosia). Shri Nagar is
surrounded by twenty five ramparts. After crossing the ramparts, there is a place
called Maha Padma Vana (Forest of Lotus). In the middle of this lotus forest, there is
a palace called Chintamani Graha. That is where Shri Lalitha is seated in her jewel
throne guarded by a Lion, in the assembly of all Gods and Goddesses.
Shri Lalitha is always followed by her Minister Shyamala, Commander in Chief
Varahi, Sampat Kari in charge of an army of elephants, Asvaruda in charge of an
army of horses and closely followed by Jwala Malini, Brahmi, Mahesvari, Kaumari,
Vaishanavi Mahendri, Chamunda, Mahalakshmi, Bala and Other Nithya Devatas.

The thousand and eight names of Shri Lalitha is recited in Lalitha Sahasranama and
three hundred names in Lalitha Trisathi are the most sought after during Pujas by
Saktas . Apart from these, numerous books are available including Sapta Sati and
Devi Bhagavata which are veritable treasures for Goddess worship.

Maha Shodashi Mantra - Maha Shodasharkshari Mantra By the Grace of God and
Guru,

The Maha Shodashi Mantra & The Dasha Maha Vidya Maha Shodashi, are
expansions of bija mantras of the Panchadashi & Shodashi Mantra of Shri Devi is
presented below from www.vi1.org documents.
http://www.devipuram.com/downloads/catalog1.html -MahaSodahsi.doc by Ramesh
Kutticad
This is the info. 1) Dhyan; 2) Maha Shodashi Mantra with its 3 Interpretations of the
Bijas ( a, b & c) ; 4) Dasha Maha Vidya Maha Shodashi Dhyan 5) Dasha Maha Vidya
Maha Shodashi Mantra
I re-structured His presentation below to make it more understandable, but you can
download the entire document from the above web.
In service of God and Guru,
kirstan
Maha Shodashi Mantra Dhyana :

Cha panche kshumayam parshuna visikan pashan kusau pushta kam

Maniki yaksha sraja varam manimayim vinam saroja dwaye
Panibuyam abatiyam varam cha dadatim brama di seviyam param
Sindur aruna vigraham bagavatim tam shodashim ashraye

Let Us Meditate and Take Refuge in Shri Queen Shodashi Devi

Her Red Splendor Form,
attended by Lord Brahma and Other Gods,
She, Holding in Her Eight Lotus Hands
The Sugarcane Bow
The Flowery Arrows
The Noose

The Goad
The Book
The Rosary of Red Ruby Gems
The Veena
The Mudra of Dispelling fear and
The Mudra Granting Boons in Her Lotus Hands.

Maha Shodashi Mantra:

Srim Hrim Klim Aim Sauh

Om Hrim Shrim
Ka E I La Hrim
Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hrim
Sa Ka La Hrim
Sauh Aim Klim Hrim Shrim

a.The traditional view - version 1

The following is found in olden texts wherein the sequence of bijas is explained:

Shrim denotes the Parasiva sate wherein the prakasa and vimarsa are inherent.
hrim denotes the creative urge in the un-manifested.
klim denotes the start of the process of creation with the maya tatva by
parabrahman
aim the Parabrahman with the Ego- consciousness.
sauh The ardhanarisvara, sa denotes the active male principle the siva which
creates and the fourteenth vowel (au) denotes the sakti which causes this creation
and visraga(:) denotes the created universe.
om the divine couple parvati paramesavara
hrim the divine couple vani and brahma
shrim the divine couple lakshmi and narayana

ka e i la hrim is the prayer to remove the ignorance

ha sa ka ha la hrim is the emergence of the identity with Brahman
sa ka ha la hrim is the attainment of the undivided consciousness after removal of
all stains
(See pancadasakahsri article for a more detailed explanation)
sauh aim the universe in the form of fire, Sun and moon
klim hrim the five elements which make up this universe ( k- water, l earth, hspace and r the fire, air is inferred)
shrim the bija denotes the individual who enjoys this universe, he prays to the
Universal consciousness as above and realises that he is not different from the
Brahman.

b. A new view - version 2

The new view was revealed by Brahmasri G Venkata Narasaiah of Guhanada

Mandali.
The meditation of the mantra will follow the path of kamakala of which is creation,
sustenance, prayer of the aspirant and final dissolution into the Parabrahman.
Following is whatsoever was grasped by the mind due to the grace of Sri Guru:

shrim the first bija will represent the Parabrahman after a cycle of creation,
sustenance and dissolution, so this is after dissolution of time .which can be likened
to a wave less sea.
hrim now the spanda-movement for creation starts, this is the primordial urge to
create, which can be called the iccha sakti.
klim this will represent creation of thirty five tatvas from sakthi symbolized by k
to prthvi symbolized by l by the Kamakala I. This is subtle creation, the gynana
sakti
aim this will be the first gross element space, which is characterized by sound
the vowel aim is the creative force. This is kriya sakti.
sauh- this tells us the reason for this creation. This bija is called the hrdaya heart
bija of Sri Devi, which is full of compassion without expectations (avyaja karuNa)
and Leela of devi to create a stage as before (yatha pUravamakalpayan) for the
jivas in the previous cycle of creation to enjoy their merit and de-merit (papa /
puNya) and finally try to get salvation from this cycle of birth and re-birth.

om will symbolize the Parvati paramesvara couple. Since they were the last to
dissolve into the parabrahman during dissolution, they will emerge first during
creation.
hrim will symbolize the Vani Brahma couple, the creator.
shrim will symbolize the Lakshmi- Vishnu couple, the controller of the world drama.
This also signifies the heart knot (hrdaya granthi) which is the cause for the
individual to be tied to this body consciousness.
This individual who is in the ocean of samsara, on search of eternal bliss will
surrender to the guru who takes him step by step to the final destination of
universal bliss. This path of srividya is shown by the Sri Guru. The first kuta is a
prayer by the aspirant ka-5 Oh! Parabrahma svarupini~ please remove the veil of
duality; ha-6 please grant the knowledge that the whole world is Siva sakti
swarupa; sa-4 please let me remain in this state always and remove this state of
knowing to permanent bliss. (Please see article on panacadasi mantra meaning)
sauh will signify the grace of Sri Guru as said above
aim denotes the four Maha vakyas instructed by him ( see nivasatu hrdi Bala
article)
klim As seen before this will denote the tatvas, here the tatvasodhana in the
navavarana puja as instructed by the Sri Guru.
hrim will signify the first spanda as said already, here this will be the experience of
this spanda by the aspirant on continuous tatva sodhana in the pujas.
shrim is the parabrahman as indicated above , here is the merging of the aspirant
into the parabrahma and continuous experience of universal bliss

c. Meditative Technique - version 3

The meditative technique was revealed by Sri Amritanadanata (Sri Prahlada sastriji)
of Devipuram Andhra Pradesh (www.vi1.org), which follows the above meaning.
Although revealed by two different Gurus, the similarities in both are astounding,
thus we find that all gurus are reflection of the Initial preceptor (Adinatha). Following
is whatsoever was grasped by the mind due to the grace of Sri Guru:

shrim- Meditate on the a immoveable golden hue engulfing the whole world.
hrim- Meditate on a small motion like liquefaction in this golden hue and its
movement.
klim- the molten gold will now condense into a red ball in the sodasantha( six inch
above the head orifice the crown)

aim- this red ball will now transform into a pure white light and will start to
descend on to the top of the head.
sauh- this white light takes the form of Sri Guru at the dvadasanta (two spaces
above the crown), this is the place of the Sri Gurupaduka
om The guru now pierces the orifice on the crown and descends into the body of
the disciple
hrim- The Guru now will reach the mid-eyebrow centre (agyna cakra) and activate
it. This will signify the thought process and deep inner meditation by the disciple on
the grace of Sri Guru
shrim- The Guru will reach the heart centre (anahata cakra) and will untie a knot
there. This knot can be visualized as akin to the shoe lace knot which is opened by
pulling at the ends. The removal of illusion (beda buddhi) by the Supreme grace is
indicated here.
ka e i la hrim Thus when knot is untied, visualize a cover which was over the body
being dropped from the head, so the Face is uncovered now, which is the face of Sri
Lalita Devi (Ref: Parasurama sutra: sairIrakancuko siva eva jivah; and Lalitha
sahasranama srimatvagbhavakutaika.katyadhobhagadhriNi)
ha sa ka ha la hrim The cover further drops down from neck to navel visualize the
body being transformed into that of Sri Lalitha devi, the four hand holding the
noose, goad, sugarcane bow and five flowers as arrows.
sa ka ha la hrim- Further the cover drops to below the feet, that part also gets
transformed into that of Sri Lalitha Devi
sauh- Now the inner Guru who has graced this transformation will merge with this
body of the deity Sri Lalitha devi and will pick up the cover which has fallen down,
this will signify the Individual ego the cause of this cover.
aim- visualize this cover being transferred on to a white light, while being hurled
out.
klim- Let this white light hit the sodasanta and get transformed into a red hue
hrim Let this red hue disperse into the world after being transformed into a
molted golden hue
shrim- Let this golden hue engulf the whole world including this body of
SriLalitha/Sri Guru ( which was previously the individual) and remain so for ever.

This is a very powerful meditation technique, so please try this very slowly. Only
once per day visualization at the initial level is recommended

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Dasha Maha Vidya Maha Shodashi Mantra Dhyana Sloka:

Chandrar kanala koti ni rada rucham pasan kusam ashugan

Mundam khadga mabayam ikshwari varam hastam buje rash tabihi
Kamesana shivo paristi tasadam trayaksham vahantim param
Shri cintamani mantra bija vapushim dhyaye maha shodashim

Let Us Meditate on Shri Maha Shodasi Devi

Her Physical Form of the Shri Chinta Mani Mantra
The Highest Consciousness
She, with Three Eyes
Seated on Top of Lord Shiva Kameshwara in Eternal Union,
Holding in Her Eight Lotus Hands The Noose
The Goad
The Arrows
The Sugarcane Bow
The Severed Head
The Sword
The Mudra of Dispelling Fear and
The Mudra of Granting Boons
She, Of The Color of Firey - Red
With the Brilliance of Crores of Suns
Yet soothing as Crores of Moon Light
Along with the Hue
A Shade of Black
Like the Rain bearing Clouds

Dasha Maha Vidya Maha Shodashi Mantra:

Srim Hrim Klim

Shrim Hrim Klim Aim Sauh Om
Shrim Ka E I La Hrim
Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hrim
Sa Ka La Hrim
Sauh Aim Klim Hrim Shrim

Dasa Maha Vidya in Maha Shodasi

On deeper meditation, for a simple question- what is the difference between

Shodasi or Sundari,
the third of Dasha Maha Vidyas and this Maha Shodasi, it was revealed that these
sequence of bijas are also representative of the Dasa Maha Vidyas Itself.
Thus being the complete unison of powers of the Dasa Maha Vidyas, this Maha
Sodasi is indeed very powerful in granting all wishes, while taking the aspirant to
experience the highest Brahman.
Let us see an individual correspondence of the bijas:

shrim hrim klim the first three bijas are found in the beginning of Maha Ganapati
mantra and hence a benevolent and obstacle removing power of this mantra is
unfolded
shrim hrim klim aim these bijas are the beginning of the Parchanda chandika, the
Chinamasta mantra, which is the sixth Maha Vidya which runs as srim hrim klim ai
vajra vairochaniye hum hum phat swaha
sauh will relate to highest and pre-creative power expressed as Dumavati, the
seventh Maha Vidya
om called as taraka mantra or pranava will relate to Tara , the second Maha Vidya
hrim will relate to the maya or Buvaneshi bija, thus the fourth Mahavidya
Buvaneshi

shrim ka e i la hrim ha sa ka ha la hrim sa ka la hrim will relate to the third Maha

Vidya the Shodasi or Sundari, the positioning of the shodashi bija (shrim) at the
beginning is there in certain sampradaya. Also we can look at the three kutas,
shorter version of this is in the form of Bala Maha mantra, which is the seed for the
Tripura Bairavi the fifth Maha Vidya
sauh , the second Para bija will relate to the mighty Para Batarika, the Supreme
Goddess of Universal Consciousness
aim the vowel will relate to Matangi, the ninth Maha Vidya, who represents the
sound force
klim tantric dictionaries say ra / la is interchangeable. So substituting ra; in
the kama bija will see the emergence of Dakshina Kalika, the Adya the first of All
Maha Vidya
hrim- taking the la from the above bija we can see the emergence of Bagala
Mukhi, the eighth Maha Vidya with Her bija hlrim
shrim this will relate to the last (tenth)of Maha Vidyas the Kamalatmika.

In certain traditions the above mantra is called Shodasi and another mantra is
imparted which is called Maha Shodasi. This mantra can be found in Trailokiya
Mohana Kavacha as revered (revealed) by Maha Deva (Lord Shiva) as:

klim hrim shrim aim klim sauh

ka e i la hrim
ha sa ka ha la hrim
sa ka la hrim shrim
strim aim krom krim im hum

This mantra also has a correspondence with the Dasha Maha Vidyas.
klim- k represents Brahman, which is also represented by h. So substituting this
we will find this to be Bagala Mukhi the eighth Maha Vidya as hlim. The r deficient
bija of Bagala is also accepted by tantras.
hrim - the Maya bija will represent Buvaneshi, the fourth Maha Vidya
aim klim sauh will correspond to the fifth Tripura Bhairavi Maha Vidya since Her
seed lies in the Bala mantra, which is seen here.
ka e I la hrim ha sa ka ha la hrim sa ka la hrim will correspond to the Sundari the
third Maha Vidya and also the Shodashi by adding the third bija shrim.

strim is the special bija of Tara the second Maha Vidya

aim will represent the matangi the ninth Maha Vidya
krom will symbolize Kroda Bhairava the consort of the sixth Maha Vidya ,
Chinamasta.
krim directly refers to the Adya dakshina kalika
im this is the last Maha Vidya Kamakatmika, Shri Suktam unfolds her as tam
padminim im saranamaham prapadye
hum is the seventh Maha Vidya, Dumavati Her seed sound u is there.
Posted by kirstanuci at 6:34 PM
Labels: Maha Shodashi Mantra Sodashi Mantra Panchadashakshari Mantra Bija