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How does Shaktism portray Shakti as divine power?
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Hinduism
Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma (left to right) pay homage to Mahadevi (the great goddess, in white in the form of Saraswati), attended by the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, in a painting dated c. 1750.
In Shaktism, Shakti is revered as the supreme divine power or energy, often personified as the Mother Goddess. She is considered the dynamic aspect of the divine through which God acts to create, maintain, and reabsorb the universe.12
Shakti’s role is portrayed in several profound ways:
- Cosmic Force: She is the creative energy inherent in the divine. Some traditions identify her as the supreme Brahman, the ruler of the universe by whom even Shiva exists.2
- Divine Mother: Many worship her as the gracious Devi, who calls for absolute surrender and devotion.12
- Dynamic Manifestation: She manifests in diverse forms, ranging from benevolent figures like Parvati and Lakshmi to fierce, destructive aspects like Kali and Durga.12
- Spiritual Catalyst: Within Tantra, she is the power of kundalini—a dormant energy within the human body that, when awakened, leads to spiritual liberation.1
Ultimately, Shakti is the deciding factor in the salvation of the individual and the unfolding processes of the cosmos.2