Shri Vidya (
ISO: Śrī Vidyā;
lit.''knowledge', 'learning', 'lore', or 'science'';[1] sometimes also spelled Sri Vidya or Shree Vidya) is a
HinduTantricreligious system devoted to
the Goddess. Shri Vidya developed out of various influences, especially
Kāśmīr Shaivism, and its doctrines remain similar to this tradition.[2]
In the principally
Shakta theology of Śrī Vidyā the goddess is supreme, transcending the cosmos that is her manifestation.[a] She is worshiped in the form of a mystical diagram (Sanskrit:
yantra), a central focus and ritual object composed of nine intersecting triangles, called the
Shri Yantra or Śrī Cakra.[3]
The south Indian tradition of Sri Vidya generally focuses on
Lalitā Tripurasundarī (Beautiful Goddess of the Three Worlds) as the main form of
Mahadevi. Apart from Mahātripurasundarī, other important deities in this tradition include
Gaṇapati, Bālā,
Rājamātaṅgī,
Mahāvārāhī, and Parā. The most important source for this branch of Sri Vidya is the Paraśurāma Kalpasūtra. A thousand names for this form of
Devī are recited in the
Lalitā Sahasranāma, which includes Śrī Vidyā concepts.[b] The sect accepts and aims to provide both material prosperity and self-realisation. It has an extensive literature.[4]
The most important scholar of Sri Vidya is undoubtedly
Bhāskararāya (1690–1785), who wrote over 40 works from a Sri Vidya perspective.[5][6] He is the author of key Sri Vidya texts like the Saubhāgyabhāskara (a commentary to the Lalitā Sahasranāma), Varivasyārahasya (a work on Sri Vidya mantra and worship) and the Commentary on Nityāṣōḍaśikārṇava.
Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary (Fourth revised and enlarged ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers,
ISBN81-208-0567-4.
Bhattacharyya, N. N. (1999), History of the Tantric Religion (Second revised ed.), New Delhi: Manohar,
ISBN81-7304-025-7.
Brooks, Douglas Renfrew (1990), Secret of the Three Cities, University of Chicago Press,
ISBN978-0-226-07570-9.
Brooks, Douglas Renfrew (1992), Auspicious Wisdom: The Texts and Traditions of Srividya Sakta Tantrism in South India, State University of New York Press,
ISBN978-0-7914-1145-2.