Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; 'energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability') in Hinduism, is the "Universal Power" that underlies and sustains all existence. In Hindu theological view, Shakti is "pure consciousness" and the energizing power of Hindu Gods. Conceived of as feminine in essence, Shakti is generally personified as the wife of a particular Hindu deity, especially of Shiva.
Shakti and Shiva are held as the feminine and masculine principles that are complementary to each other. Shakti, as prakriti ('nature'), is believed to have brought the primal male (purusha) into existence. The feminine Shakti comes into being as part of the lila ('divine play') with the masculine (Shiva), who is considered a passive complementary to the all-powerful active feminine. The God Shiva being "nonactivated Eternity", while the Shakti "activated Time". "Shiva without Shakti is but a corpse, it is said." The God Shiva says: "O Goddess I am the body (deha) and you are the conscious spirit within the body (dehin)". In Jungian psychological view, the concept of Anima/animus that animates all humans, is considered the "spiritual equivalent" of Shakti.
In the Hindu denomination of Shaktism, Shakti is worshipped exclusively as the Brahman. The concept of the Brahman in Hinduism is considered the same as Shakti, it is said "Brahman is static Shakti and Shakti is dynamic Brahman." The term Shakta is used for the description of people and customs associated with Shakti worship.The Shakta pithas are shrines, which are believed to be the sacred seats of Shakti.
According to the Monier-Williams dictionary, Shakti (Śakti) is the Sanskrit feminine term meaning "energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability", and "capacity for" or "power over".
Though the term Shakti has broad implications, it mostly denotes "power or energy". Metaphysically, Shakti refers to the "energetic principle" of the fundamental reality, ideated as "primordial power".
Shakti, is principally identified with the feminine, and with the numerous Hindu goddesses, who are seen as tangible expressions-visible personifications of the intangible Shakti. The formulation of such an idea for Shakti took place over many centuries.
Relatedly, the term Shakta (Sanskrit: शक्त,) is used for people and customs associated with Shakti worship. The term Shakta became popular from the ninth-century onwards, before that the term Kula or Kaula, which referred to clans of female ancestory, besides to the menstrual and sexual fluids of females, was used to describe Shakti followers.
The origins of the Shakti concept are prevedic.Shakti worship customs were found in Paleolithic context in the Son River valley, where a triangular stone known as the Baghor stone, estimated to have been created around 9,000–8,000 BCE was found. The representation of Shakti in a stone is considered an early example of a yantra. Kenoyer, part of the team that excavated the stone, considered it is highly probable that the stone was associated with Shakti.
The worship of Shakti receded during the Vedic period, but became prominent from the classical period of Hinduism, during which she was personified as Devi, a goddess. Scriptural texts such as Devi Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana, Markandeya Purana, and Mahabhagavata Purana held Shakti as the supreme over all deities and promoted her worship.
In Hinduism, Shakti (Śakti), the Sanskrit word for "energy" or "power", is the "energizing material power" of the Hindu Gods. As the energy corresponding with Vishnu, she is Lakshmi. As the Goddess, or Devi, Shakti is "Universal Power". Shakti is generally personified as the wife of a specific Hindu god, particularly Shiva, for whom she took forms as Durga, Kali, and Parvati. In Hindu custom, the wife of a man is considered his Shakti. In the Ramayana, Sita, the wife of Rama was his Shakti; in the Mahabharata, Draupadi was the Shakti of the Pandavas.
The Markandeya Purana conceived Shakti as "pure consciousness" overseeing creation, preservation, and destruction; and identified Shakti with nature or prakriti. As prakriti (nature), Shakti is believed to had brought the primal male (purusha) into existence. The feminine (shakti) is believed to come into being as part of the "lila" (divine play) with the masculine (shiva). Shakti and Shiva are considered complementary principles to each other. Shakti being "activated Time", while shiva being "nonactivated Eternity".
In the Hindu tantric view, Shakti correlates with the Kundalini energy. Shakti is considered the "creative dynamic energy" that permeates and "animates" all existence. In the Brihannila Tantra, the God Shiva says: "O Goddess I am the body (deha) and you are the conscious spirit within the body (dehin)". "Shiva without Shakti is but a corpse, it is said." In the Jungian analytical psychology, the concept of Anima/animus that animates all humans, is considered the "spiritual equivalent" of Shakti.
The Devi Bhagavata Purana considers the nature of Shakti as being made up of three existential qualities: Sattva (calm and balanced), Rajas (passionate and active), and Tamas (lethargic and inactive).
Animated and inanimated objects like rivers, stones, trees, mountains are worshipped as embodiments of shakti. Women are believed to be inherently divine; coalescence of the menstrual cycle with the moon's lunar cycle is held important. The menstrual blood (Kula) is revered and is offered in rituals to propitiate the deities. In some cases, Animal sacrifices have replaced menstrual blood offerings, however female animals are not sacrificed.
The Shakta pithas, located across the Indian subcontinent, are believed to be the sacred seats of Shakti. At the altars in these shrines, Shakti is often worshipped in the form of a stone, which is painted red, considered the colour of Shakti, and is decorated with anthropomorphic features like eyes.
See main article: Shaktism. Shaktism regards Shakti as the Supreme Brahman.[1] According to V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (Professor of Indian history), in Shakta theology: "Brahman is static Shakti and Shakti is dynamic Brahman." The Shakta Upanishads and the Shakta Tantras equated Brahman with Shakti, and held them as inseparable.
In the details of its philosophy and practice, Shaktism resembles Shaivism. However Shaktas focus most or all worship on Shakti as the dynamic feminine aspect of the Supreme Divine.[2] According to this tradition, all Hindu goddesses are manifestations of the same goddess, Mahadevi, also referred to as Adi Parashakti, Adi Shakti, and Abhaya Shakti. Vaishnavas consider her to be Lakshmi; whereas Shaivas consider her to be Parvati, Durga, Lalita and Kali; while Shaktas believe her to be Durga, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshvari, and Kali.
From Devi-Mahatmya:
From Shaktisangama Tantra:
See main article: Smarta. In the Smarta Advaita tradition, Shakti is one of the five equal personal forms of God, as in the panchadeva system, advocated by Adi Shankara. The Smarta tradition, also called Smartism, developed and expanded with the Purana genre of literature. It reflects a synthesis of four philosophical strands: Mimamsa, Advaita, Yoga, and theism. The Smarta tradition rejects theistic sectarianism, and is notable for the domestic worship of five shrines with five deities, all treated as equalGanesha, Shiva, Adi Parashakti, Vishnu and Surya. The Smarta tradition contrasted with the older Shrauta tradition, which was based on elaborate rituals and rites. There has been a considerable overlap in the ideas and practices of the Smarta tradition with other denominations within Hinduism, namely Shaivism, Brahmanism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.