# विद्या (vidyā)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/vidya

विद्या (vidyā) is a Sanskrit word meaning knowledge, science, learning, or philosophy, any knowledge whether true or false, a spell or incantation, magical skill, Premna spinosa, a mystical name of the letter i. Its 36 recorded definitions are grouped into 11 contexts, among them General Knowledge, Learning, and Science, Concepts and Roles Associated with Knowledge/Learning, Spell, Incantation, or Magical Art.

- **Root:** 1. विद् (1. vid)
- **Etymology:** E. विद् to know, aff. क्यप् । — E. vid to know, aff. kyap
- **SLP1:** `vidyA`  **IAST:** vidyā  **Devanagari:** विद्या
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidya_%28philosophy%29
- **Declensions:** 24 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/vidya/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** विद्य (vidya)

## Meanings by context

### General Knowledge, Learning, and Science (16 definitions)
- Knowledge, science, learning, or philosophy  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H2) [Printed book page 963,3] विद्या (vidyā) f. knowledge ( cf. काल - जात - व् (kāla-jāta-v) ° (°) ), science, learning, scholarship, philosophy, RV. &c. &c. (according to some there are four Vidyās or sciences, 1. त्रयी (trayī), the triple Veda; 2. आन्वीक्षिकी (ānvīkṣikī), logic and metaphysics; 3. दण्ड - नीति (daṇḍa-nīti), the science of government; 4. वार्त्ता (vārttā), practical arts, such as agriculture, commerce, medicine &c. and, Manusmṛti [Cologne Addition] (Title) vii, 43 adds a fifth, viz. आत्म - विद्या (vidyā) (ātma-vidyā), knowledge of soul or of spiritual truth; according to others, Vidyā has fourteen divisions, viz. the four Vedas, the six Vedāṅgas, the Purāṇas, the Mīmāṃsā. Nyāya, and Dharma or law; or with the four Upa-vedas, eighteen divisions; others reckon 33 and even 64 sciences [= कलास् (kalās) or arts]; Knowledge is also personified and identified with Durgā; she is even said to have composed prayers and magical formulas) [ ID=195690 ]
- any knowledge whether true or false  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > [Printed book page 964,1] any knowledge whether true or false (with Pāśupatas), Sarvad. [ ID=195691 ]
- Knowledge, learning, science  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 0975-b ] विद्या (vidyā) [ विद् - क्यप् (vid-kyap) ] 1 Knowledge, learning, lore, science; ( तां (tāṃ) ) विद्या (vidyā) मभ्यसनेनेव प्रसादयितुमर्हसि (vidyāmabhyasaneneva prasādayitumarhasi) Raghuvaṃśa (Bombay) 1. 88; विद्या (vidyā) नाम नरस्य रूपमधिकं प्रच्छन्नगुप्तं (vidyā nāma narasya rūpamadhikaṃ pracchannaguptaṃ) ( pb ) धनं (dhanaṃ) &c. Bhartṛhari’s three Śatakas (the figures 1., 2., 3. after Bh. denoting Śṛṅgāraº, Nītiº, and Vairāgyaº) 2. 20. (According to some Vidyās are four:
- 1. Knowledge, learning, or science. 2. Magic or spell.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 283-2 ] विद्या (vidyā) vid-yā́, f. knowledge, learning, science ( esp. the threefold knowledge of the Vedas : 4, 14, 18 and 64 sciences are spoken of ); magic; spell: ( ā ) -kośa-gṛha, n. library; -āgama, m. acquisition of knowledge; -guru, m. instructor in science ( esp. sacred ); -grahaṇa, n. acquisition of sciences; -tīrtha, n. bathing-place of knowledge; -tva, n. the notion ‘knowledge’; -dāna, n. imparting of (sacred) knowledge, instruction in science; -dhana, n. the treasure of knowledge. [ ID=16575 ]
- 1. Knowledge, learning, or science, particularly sacred knowledge. 2. The goddess Durga. 3. A tree, Premna spinosa. 4. A magical pill that grants the power to ascend to heaven.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद (vida) ्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 768 ] विद (vida) ्या (vidyā) f. ( - द्या (-dyā) ) Knowledge, learning, science, whether sacred or profane, though more especially the former: it is sometimes classed into fourteen divisions; or the four Vedas; the six Aṅgas, or grammar, astronomy, &c. the Purāṇas as the eleventh class; and the Mīmāṃsā or theology, Nyāya or logic, and Dharma or law, as the remaining three. 2 The goddess DURGĀ. 3 A tree, ( Premna spinosa.) 4 A magical pill or bolus, by putting which into the mouth a person has the power of ascending to heaven. E. विद (vida) to know, and aff. क्यप् (kyap). [ ID=35115 ]
- 1. Knowledge or science. 2. Durga. 3. A magical pill. 4. A tree.  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 689-b ] विद्या (vidyā) ( द्या ) ((dyā)) 1. f. Knowledge, science; Durgā; magical pill; a tree. [ ID=34711 ]
- 1. Knowledge, learning, or scholarship. 2. A spell or incantation. 3. An epithet of Durga. 4. Magical art.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 664-27 ] विद्या (vidyā) f. 1. Knowledge, learning, scholarship; (according to some writers, there are four Vidyās - त्रयी (trayī), आन्वीक्षकी (ānvīkṣakī), दंडनीति (daṃḍanīti) and वार्ता (vārtā); to these Manu adds आत्मविद्या (vidyā) (ātmavidyā); according to other writers, there are fourteen Vidyās, viz., the four Vedas, the six Vedāngas, Dharma, Nyāya, Mīmānsa and the uśanas collectively, See Na. i.4), R. i.23, 88, iii.30; 2. spell, incantation; 3. an epithet of Durgā; 4. magical art. [ ID=34985 ]
- 1. Knowledge, learning, or science. 2. The goddess Durga. 3. A tree. 4. A magical pill granting the power to ascend to heaven. 5. A spell or incantation.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद् (vid) या (vidyā) [Printed book page 657-b ] विद् (vid) या (vidyā) f. ( - द्या (-dyā) ) 1. Knowledge, learning, science, whether sacred or profane, though more especially the former: it is sometimes classed into fourteen divisions; viz:—the four Vedas; the six Angas, or grammar, astronomy, &c.; the Purāṇas as the eleventh class; and the Mimānsā or theology, Nyāya or logic, and Dharma or law, as the remaining three. 2. The goddess DURGĀ. 3. A tree, (Premna spinosa.) 4. A magical pill or bolus, by putting which into the mouth a person has the power of ascending to heaven. 5. Spell, incantation. E. विद् (vid) to know, aff. क्यप् । (kyap.) [ ID=36727 ]
- 1. Knowledge or learning. 2. A magical pill or bolus granting the power to ascend to heaven. 3. Durga. 4. A tree, Premna spinosa.  
  *Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 0855-a ] विद्या (vidyā) vid + yā, f. 1. Knowledge, learning, Pañc. i. d. 446; 243, 19, sqq. 2. A magical pill or bolus, by putting which into the mouth, a person has the power of ascending to heaven. 3. Durgā. 4. A tree, Premna spinosa. — Comp. A-, I. f. want of knowledge, ignorance. II. adj. unlearned, Man. 9, 205. Ātmavidyā, i. e. ātman-, f. the Page0855-b+ 41 knowledge of the Supreme Spirit, Man. 7, 43. Adhyātma-, f. the same, Bhag. 10, 32. Kṛta-, adj. learned, Pañc. iv. d. 40. Tarka-, f. the science of rea- soning or logic, Prab. 105, 8. Dus-, adj. unlearned, rude, Rājat. 1, 356. Dhanus-, f. knowledge of archery, Lass. 36, 18. Nakṣatra-, f. astronomy, or rather astrology, Man. 6, 50. Nis-, adj. unlearned, Kām. Nītis. 5, 56. Nīti-, f. knowledge of correct conduct, Hit. pr. d. 2, M.M. Sa-, adj. 1. learned, Rājat. 5, 178. 2. wise. Sadvidyā, i. e. sant- ( vb. 1. as ), f. good learning, Bhartṛ. 2, 45. Sam-pūrṇa- ( vb. pṝ ), adj. replete with knowledge. [ ID=13327 ]
- knowledge, learning, a discipline or science, especially sacred knowledge or magic  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 495 ] विद्या (vidyā) f. knowledge, learning, a discipline or science, esp. sacred knowledge (threefold) or magic, spell. [ ID=29491 ]
- 1. Knowledge, discipline, or science. 2. Magic or a magic formula.  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 244-b ] vidyā́, f. —1. knowledge; a discipline or science; esp. trayī vidyā, the triple science or knowledge of the holy word, as hymn, sacrificial formula, and chant, or the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Sāmaveda; —2. esp. the science κατ᾽ἐξοχήν, i. e. magic; a magic formula, spell. [ √1vid, 1213d : for mg 2, observe the equally arbitrary specialization in Eng. spell, which in AS. meant ‘a saying.’] [ ID=3856 ]
- knowledge, learning, scholarship, philosophy, science, spell, incantation, the goddess Durga, the tree Premna spinosa, magical skill, and a kind of magical pill believed to grant the power of ascending to heaven  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 0919-a ] Vidyā, f. knowledge, ( kāla-v°, knowledge of time, i. e. of the almanac), learning, scholarship, philosophy, science, (according to some there are four Vidyās or sciences, 1. trayī, the triple Veda; 2. ānvīkṣikī, logic and metaphysics; 3. daṇḍa-nīti, the science of government; 4. vārttā, practical arts, such as agri- culture, commerce, medicine, &c. and Manu VII. 43. adds a fifth, viz. ātma-vidyā, knowledge of soul or sublime theological truth: according to others, Vidyā has fourteen divisions, viz. the four Vedas, the six Vedāṅgas, the Purāṇas, the Mīmāṃsā, Nyāya, and Dharma or law; or with the four Upa-vedas, eighteen divisions); a spell, incantation; the god- dess Durgā; the tree Premna Spinosa; magical skill; a kind of magical pill (which placed in the mouth is supposed to give the power of ascending to heaven). —Vidyā-kara, as, ī, am, causing wisdom, giving knowledge or science; ( as ), m. a learned man, (in this sense the word may also be divided into vidyā- ākara, ‘a mine of learning.’) —Vidyākara-vāja- peyin, ī, m., N. of an author. —Vidyāgama (°yā- āg°), as, m. acquirement of knowledge, proficiency in science. —Vidyā-caṇa, as, ā, am, or vidyā- cuñcu, us, us, u ( caṇa and cuñcu are regarded by Pāṇini as Taddhita affixes), famous for learning or knowledge. —Vidyā-tas, ind. from learning, than learning (after a compar.). —Vidyā-dala, as, m. ‘science-leafed,’ N. of the Bhūrja or Bhojpattra tree (the leaves of which are used for writing). —Vidyā- dātṛ, tā, trī, tṛ, one who gives or imparts know- ledge, a teacher, instructor. —Vidyā-dāna, am, n. the giving of knowledge, teaching. —Vidyā-devī, f. ‘goddess of learning,’ a female divinity peculiar to the Jainas, (sixteen are named, Rohiṇī, Prajñaptī, Vajra-śṛṅkhalā, Kuliśāṅkuśā, Cakreśvarī, Nara- dattā, Kālī, Mahā-kālī, Gaurī, Gandhārī, Sarvāstra- mahājvālā, Mānavī, Vairāṭyā, A-cchuptā, Mānasī, Mahā-mānasikā.) —Vidyā-dhana, am, n. wealth consisting in learning, money acquired by scholarship. —Vidyā-dhara, as, m. ‘magical-knowledge holder,’ a particular kind of good or evil genius attending upon the gods, (according to Kullūka on Manu XII. 47 = devānuyāyin ); a kind of spirit or fairy; N. of several persons; ( ī ), f. a female of the same class of genii, a fairy, sylph. —Vidyādhara-tāla, as, m., N. of a particular time in music. —Vidyādharā- cārya (°ra-āc°), as, m., N. of an author. —Vidyā- dharī-parijana, as, ā, am, attended by Vidyā- dharīs. —Vidyādhāra (°yā-ādh°), as, m. a recep- tacle of knowledge. —Vidyādhirāja (°yā-adh°), as, m. a proper N. —Vidyā-nagara, am, n., N. of a city. —Vidyā-nanda, as, m. ‘pleasure of know- ledge,’ N. of a chapter of the Pañca-daśī; of an author. —Vidyā-nivāsa, as, m., N. of the author of a commentary on the Mugdha-bodha. —Vidyā- nivāsa-bhaṭṭācārya, as, m., N. of the author of the Sac-carita-mīmāṃsā. —Vidyānupālana (°yā- an°), am, n. the act of cherishing or patronising learning, encouragement or cultivation of science; acquiring learning, studying. —Vidyānupālin (°yā- an°), ī, inī, i, cherishing or encouraging science, acquiring learning. —Vidyānusevana (°yā-an°), am, n. the cultivation of science or learning. —Vi- dyānusevin (°yā-an°), ī, inī, i, cultivating learning, engaged in study. —Vidyānta (°yā-an°), am, n. the end of knowledge. —Vidyā-pati, is, m., N. of a poet; of the author of the Gaṅgā-vākyāvalī; of the author of the Varṣa-kṛtya. —Vidyā-pradāna, am, n. ‘the bestowing of knowledge,’ N. of a sec- tion of the Purāṇa-sarva-sva. —Vidyā-prāpti, is, f. acquirement of knowledge; any acquisition made by learning. —Vidyā-phala, am, n. the fruit of learn- ing. —Vidyābhimāna (°yā-abh°), am, n. the fancy or idea that one possesses learning. —Vidyābhimāna- vat (°yā-abh°), ān, atī, at, fancying that one pos- sesses learning, imagining one's self learned. —Vidyā- Page0919-b+ 78 bhyāsa (°yā-abh°), as, m. practice or pursuit of learning, application to books, study. —Vidyāraṇya (°yā-ar°), as, m., N. of a poet; of the author of the Vidyārtha-dīpikā. —Vidyā-ratna, am, n. the jewel of learning; valuable knowledge. —Vidyā- ratnākara (°na-āk°), as, m., N. of a work by Dhana-pati. —Vidyārambha (°yā-ār°), as, m. ‘commencement of knowledge,’ N. of a section in the Purāṇa-sarva-sva. —Vidyārjana (°yā-ar°), am, n. the acquirement of knowledge; acquiring anything by knowledge or by teaching. —Vidyārjita (°yā- ar°), as, ā, am, acquired or gained by knowledge. —Vidyārtha (°yā-ar°), as, m. the seeking for knowledge. —Vidyārtha-dīpikā, f., N. of a work by Vidyāraṇya. —Vidyārtha-prakāśikā, f., N. of a work. —Vidyārthin (°yā-ar°), ī, inī, i, seeking for knowledge, studious; ( ī ), m. a student, pupil, scholar, disciple. —Vidyālaṅkāra-bhaṭṭācārya (°yā- al°), as, m., N. of the author of annotations on Goyīcandra's commentary. —Vidyā-labdha, as, ā, am, acquired or gained by learning. —Vidyālaya (°yā-āl°), as, m. abode or seat of learning, a school, college; N. of a place. —Vidyā-lābha, as, m. acquisition of learning; any acquirement gained by learning. —Vidyā-vat, ān, atī, at, possessed of learning or science, learned. —Vidyā-vayo-vṛddha, as, ā, am, advanced in learning and years. —Vidyā- vinoda, as, m., N. of a poet. —Vidyā-viśiṣṭa, as, ā, am, distinguished by learning, possessed of science or scholarship. —Vidyā-vihīna, as, ā, am, deprived of knowledge, misinstructed, ignorant. —Vidyā- vṛddha, as, ā, am, old in knowledge, increased or advanced in learning. —Vidyā-vyavasāya, as, m. the pursuit of science. —Vidyā-vrata-snātaka or vidyā-snātaka, as, m. a Brāhman who has finished his period of studentship, (see snātaka. ) —Vidyā- hīna, as, ā, am, destitute of knowledge or learning, uninstructed, ignorant. —Vidyopārjana (°yā-up°), am, n. acquisition of knowledge. —Vidyopārjita (°yā-up°), as, ā, am, acquired by learning. [ ID=42742 ]
- See page 919.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > [Printed book page 0920-c ] विद्या (vidyā) vidyā. See p. 919, col. 1. [ ID=42817 ]
- A means to attain final beatitude  
  *The Purana Index*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 3-230 ] Vidyā (I) — leads to happiness: Role of teacher and pupil. A means to attain final beatitude; 1 of 18 groups — also 14 groups; 2 survive antarkṣaya. 3 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. XI. 10. 12; 11. 4-7; VI. 16. 27.] [ Footnote: 2) Br. III. 35. 88-9; III. 15. 29; IV. 12. 57; 18. 46; 34. 69.] [ Footnote: 3) M. 2. 13.] [ ID=12844 ]
- 1. Fourteen including Mimamsa, Nyaya, Purana, and Dharmashastra. 2. Eighteen including Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharva, and Arthashastra. 3. Four including Anviksiki, Trayi, Varta, and Dandaniti. 4. Divided into Para and Apara.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Vidyās (II) — 14 including Mimāmsa, Nyāya, Purāṇa, Dharmaśāstra, — 18 in number, — also includes Āyurveda. Dhanurveda, Gāndharva, and Arthaśāstra; 1 four Anvīkṣikī. Trayī, Vārta and Daṇḍanīti; 2 another division — Parā and Aparā. 3 [ Footnote: 1) Vi. III. 6. 27-8;] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. V. 10. 27.] [ Footnote: 3) Ib. V. 1. 35.] [ ID=12847 ]
- knowledge  
  *The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 2-299 ] Vidyā in the Atharvaveda 1 and later 2 denotes ‘knowledge,’ especially that of the three Vedas, which are called the trayī vidyā, ‘the threefold knowledge,’ as early as the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa. 3 In a more special sense Vidyā occurs in lists of objects of study in the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa. 4 What exactly the expression here means is uncertain: Sāyaṇa 5 suggests the philosophic systems; Geldner 6 the first Brāhmaṇas; and Eggeling, 7 more probably, special sciences like the Sarpavidyā or the Viṣavidyā. [ Footnote: 1) vi. 116, 1; xi. 7, 10; 8, 3.] [ Footnote: 2) Taittirīya Saṃhitā, ii. 1, 2, 8; v. 1, 7, 2; Aitareya Brāhmaṇa, viii. 23, 8. 9, etc.] [ Footnote: 3) iii. 10, 11, 5. Cf. Śatapatha Brāh- maṇa, v. 5, 5, 6, etc.] [ Footnote: 4) xi. 5, 6, 8; Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upani- ṣad, ii. 4, 10; iv. 5, 11.] [ Footnote: 5) On Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, xi. 5, 6, 8.] [ Footnote: 6) Vedische Studien, 1, 290, n. 4.] [ Footnote: 7) Sacred Books of the East, 44, 98, n. 2.] [ ID=2946 ]

### Concepts and Roles Associated with Knowledge/Learning (5 definitions)
- practicing and acquiring  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — अभ्यासः, - अर्जनं (abhyāsaḥ, -arjanaṃ)
- acquisition of knowledge or study  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आगमः (āgamaḥ) acquisition of knowledge, pursuit of learning, study
- acquiring knowledge  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — उपार्जनं (upārjanaṃ) = विद्यार्जनं (vidyārjanaṃ) q. v
- famous for one's learning  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — चण, - चंचु (caṇa, -caṃcu) a. famous for one's learning
- acquiring knowledge  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — प्राप्तिः (prāptiḥ) = विद्यार्जन (vidyārjana) q. v

### Spell, Incantation, or Magical Art (4 definitions)
- A spell or incantation.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a spell, incantation, MBh.; Ragh.; Kathās. [ ID=195692 ]
- magical skill  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > magical skill, MW. [ ID=195693 ]
- A spell or incantation  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आन्वीक्षिकी (ānvīkṣikī) त्रयी वार्ता दंडनीतिश्च शाश्वती (trayī vārtā daṃḍanītiśca śāśvatī) Kāmandaka ); चतसृष्वपि ते विवेकिनी नृप विद्यासु (catasṛṣvapi te vivekinī nṛpa vidyāsu) निरूढिमागता (nirūḍhimāgatā) Kirātārjunīya 2. 6; to these four Manu adds a fifth आत्मविद्या (ātmavidyā); see Manusmṛti 7. 43. But the usual number of Vidyās is stated to be fourteen, i. e. the four Vedas, the six Aṅgas, Dharma, Mīmāṃsā, Tarka or Nyāya and the Purāṇas; see चतुर् (catur) दशविद्या (caturdaśavidyā) under चतुर् (catur); and Naiṣadhacarita 1. 4. 3 A spell, an incantation
- Magical skill  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आन्वीक्षिकी (ānvīkṣikī) त्रयी वार्ता दंडनीतिश्च शाश्वती (trayī vārtā daṃḍanītiśca śāśvatī) Kāmandaka ); चतसृष्वपि ते विवेकिनी नृप विद्यासु (catasṛṣvapi te vivekinī nṛpa vidyāsu) निरूढिमागता (nirūḍhimāgatā) Kirātārjunīya 2. 6; to these four Manu adds a fifth आत्मविद्या (ātmavidyā); see Manusmṛti 7. 43. But the usual number of Vidyās is stated to be fourteen, i. e. the four Vedas, the six Aṅgas, Dharma, Mīmāṃsā, Tarka or Nyāya and the Purāṇas; see चतुर् (catur) दशविद्या (caturdaśavidyā) under चतुर् (catur); and Naiṣadhacarita 1. 4. 5 Magical skill

### Deity or Personified Divine Figure (3 definitions)
- The goddess Durga  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आन्वीक्षिकी (ānvīkṣikī) त्रयी वार्ता दंडनीतिश्च शाश्वती (trayī vārtā daṃḍanītiśca śāśvatī) Kāmandaka ); चतसृष्वपि ते विवेकिनी नृप विद्यासु (catasṛṣvapi te vivekinī nṛpa vidyāsu) निरूढिमागता (nirūḍhimāgatā) Kirātārjunīya 2. 6; to these four Manu adds a fifth आत्मविद्या (ātmavidyā); see Manusmṛti 7. 43. But the usual number of Vidyās is stated to be fourteen, i. e. the four Vedas, the six Aṅgas, Dharma, Mīmāṃsā, Tarka or Nyāya and the Purāṇas; see चतुर् (catur) दशविद्या (caturdaśavidyā) under चतुर् (catur); and Naiṣadhacarita 1. 4. 4 The goddess Durgā
- a personified goddess of knowledge, also appearing in the plural as personified sciences  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > विद्या (vidyā) [Printed book page 735-1 ] Vidyā (“knowledge”, personif.), a goddess. § 506 (Skanda- yuddha): III, 231, 14562 (followed Umā).—Do. 2, pl. (“sciences”, personif.).—§ 270 (Brahmasabhāv.): II, 11, 438 (in the palace of Brahmán). [ ID=12009 ]
- a shakti  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Vidyā (II) — a śakti. Br. IV. 35. 98; 44. 57, 140. [ ID=12845 ]

### Vidyādharas (Magical Beings) (2 definitions)
- holding or bearing  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — धरः (dharaḥ), (
- a class of semi-divine beings  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — री (rī) f. ) a class of demigods or semi-divine beings; विद्याधराध्युषितचारुशिलातलानि स्थानानि (vidyādharādhyuṣitacāruśilātalāni sthānāni) Bhartṛhari’s three Śatakas (the figures 1., 2., 3. after Bh. denoting Śṛṅgāraº, Nītiº, and Vairāgyaº) 3. 70

### A Small Bell (1 definition)
- a small bell  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a small bell, L. ( cf. विद्यामणि (vidyāmaṇi) ). 1. [ ID=195697 ]

### A Specific Tree (Premna Spinosa) (1 definition)
- Premna spinosa  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Premna Spinosa, L. [ ID=195695 ]

### Magical Pill (1 definition)
- a kind of magical pill believed to grant the power of ascending to heaven  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a kind of magical pill (which placed in the mouth is supposed to give the power of ascending to heaven), W. [ ID=195694 ]

### Mystical Name of the Letter 'इ' (1 definition)
- a mystical name of the letter i  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a mystical N. of the letter इ (i), Up. [ ID=195696 ]

### Social Regulation concerning 'Vidyās' (1 definition)
- not to have marital alliances with Vishvamitras, Khili Khilis, and others  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Vidyās (I) — not to have marital alliances with Viśvā- mitras, Khili Khilis, etc. M. 198. 21. [ ID=12846 ]

### Spiritual or Right Knowledge (1 definition)
- Right knowledge, spiritual knowledge  
  *Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > — आन्वीक्षिकी (ānvīkṣikī) त्रयी वार्ता दंडनीतिश्च शाश्वती (trayī vārtā daṃḍanītiśca śāśvatī) Kāmandaka ); चतसृष्वपि ते विवेकिनी नृप विद्यासु (catasṛṣvapi te vivekinī nṛpa vidyāsu) निरूढिमागता (nirūḍhimāgatā) Kirātārjunīya 2. 6; to these four Manu adds a fifth आत्मविद्या (ātmavidyā); see Manusmṛti 7. 43. But the usual number of Vidyās is stated to be fourteen, i. e. the four Vedas, the six Aṅgas, Dharma, Mīmāṃsā, Tarka or Nyāya and the Purāṇas; see चतुर् (catur) दशविद्या (caturdaśavidyā) under चतुर् (catur); and Naiṣadhacarita 1. 4. 2 Right knowledge, spiritual knowledge; Uttararāmacarita 6. 6; cf. अविद्या (avidyā)

## Sources

Definitions from Apte Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; The Vedic Index of Names and Subjects; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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