Shakti

Durga idol 2011 Burdwan

Adi Shakti the Supreme Spirit without attributes

Guruji puja

Shakti is a central concept in Hinduism, representing the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe. Shakti is the concept or personification of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism. As a mother, she is known to be the source of all creation, power, and change in the universe and is often associated with the goddess Devi and Durga in Hindu traditions. The concept of Shakti plays a crucial role in Shaktism, a major tradition within Hinduism that focuses worship primarily on the female aspect of the divine.

Etymology and Philosophy

The word "Shakti" is derived from the Sanskrit root shak, meaning "to be able," indicating the power to produce, the ability to effect change, and the capacity to transform. Shakti embodies the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. In the philosophical context, Shakti is understood as the energy that animates and empowers the universe, present in every living being, and considered both immanent and transcendent in nature.

Manifestations of Shakti

Shakti is manifested through various female deities, each representing different aspects of life and the universe. Major forms of Shakti include:

• Parvati, the goddess of love, fertility, and devotion.
• Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning.
• Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.
• Kali, representing the destructive and transformative aspects of the universe.
• Durga, a warrior goddess embodying empowerment and strength, often depicted riding a lion or tiger, wielding weapons in her many arms.

Shakti in Religious Practices

In Hinduism, the worship of Shakti is performed through various rituals, prayers, festivals, and temples dedicated to her manifestations. One of the most significant festivals is Navaratri, a nine-night festival celebrated in honor of the divine feminine. Shakti is also central to the practice of Kundalini Yoga, where she is envisioned as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, which, when awakened, rises through the chakras leading to spiritual liberation.

Shakti and Shiva

Shakti is often associated with Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration, portraying the essential balance between female and male forces in the universe. Shiva embodies consciousness, the passive force, while Shakti represents energy, the active force. Together, they are believed to be responsible for all creation, as neither can exist without the other. This concept is visually represented in the composite form of Ardhanarishvara, which shows Shiva and Shakti as one entity, half male and half female, symbolizing the unity of the cosmos.

Influence on Other Traditions

The concept of Shakti has influenced other religious and spiritual traditions outside of Hinduism, including Buddhism and Jainism, where similar ideas of female spiritual power are recognized. In Buddhism, for example, the concept of Prajnaparamita can be seen as a counterpart to Shakti, representing the perfection of wisdom.

Conclusion

Shakti, as a concept and a deity, represents the essence of all dynamic forces in the universe, embodying the creative and transformative power of the divine feminine. Her worship and the philosophical principles underlying her manifestations offer insights into the role of the feminine principle in the spiritual and material universe, highlighting the interconnectedness of all forms of life and the balance necessary for harmony and creation.

‎