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evaṁmahiddhike

evaṁmahiddhika

adjective, masculine singular nominative (or feminine/neuter equivalent depending on agreement); in compound form evaṁmahiddhike appears as a locative, dative, or nominative variant in substantival use

1. of such great power or miraculous ability
2. possessing such supernormal powers
3. endowed with such mighty influence

Built from

• evaṁ — prefix · thus, so
  Adverbial particle emphasizing the manner or quality that follows; points to a specific instance or type.
• maha — root · great
  From Indo-European *meg- (great); cognate with Latin magnus, English much, Sanskrit mahā. Conveys largeness and magnitude.
• iddhi — root · power, supernormal ability
  The canonical term for supernatural or magical powers (abhiññā); possibly related to Sanskrit riddhi 'prosperity', but ultimate origin uncertain. Central to Buddhist technical vocabulary.
• ka — ending · adjectival suffix
  Forms an adjective from the noun iddhi; here attached to the compound mah-iddhi to create the adjective mahiddhika 'of great power'.

Analysis. evaṁ (thus, so) + mahiddhika (of great power); mahiddhika itself compounds maha (great) + iddhika (relating to iddhi, supernormal power or magical ability). The whole phrase means 'thus great-powered' or 'of such mighty supernatural capacity', often used in the canon to describe the Buddha or advanced disciples.

Etymology. iddhika derives from iddhi (Pali; Sanskrit riddhi), which is of uncertain ultimate origin but early became the technical term for supernormal powers (abhiññā) in Buddhist doctrine. Maha is the regular Pali word for 'great', cognate with Sanskrit mahā and English 'much'. The prefix-like evaṁ (from eva + m-) means 'thus' and emphasizes the particular quality being described.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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