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iddhividhaṁ

iddhividha

accusative singular neuter of iddhividha (adjective or noun)

1. of manifold power or supernormal ability
2. in various ways of psychic power

Built from

• iddhi — root · psychic power, prosperity
  From √iddh 'to flourish'; the classical Pali term for the supernormal powers (walking on water, multiplying oneself, etc.) that arise from meditation and are evidence of spiritual attainment.
• vidha — stem · kind, form, manner
  From √vyadh 'to divide, distribute'; compounds with iddhi to mean 'forms or varieties of power', emphasizing the multiplicity of supernatural abilities.
• ṁ — ending · accusative singular
  Marks the noun phrase as the object of a transitive verb or the goal of motion, here used attributively to describe 'manifold supernormal power'.

Analysis. iddhividha is a compound: iddhi (psychic power, supernatural ability) + vidha (kind, form, manner). The compound means 'of various kinds of iddhi' or 'manifold supernormal power'. The accusative form iddhividhaṁ appears in contexts describing the Buddha's or an arahant's display of such powers.

Etymology. iddhi derives from √iddh (to flourish, prosper), related to Sanskrit riddhi. vidha comes from √vyadh (to divide, distribute), yielding 'form, kind, manner'. Together they form a doctrinal term for the range of supernatural faculties (iddhi): walking on water, flying, etc., listed among the pañcindriyāni (five faculties) and abhiññā (higher knowledges).

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

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