Shakti
Quick Summary
Shakti, meaning "Power" or "Energy" in Sanskrit, is a central concept in Shaktism, one of the major traditions of Hinduism. Shakti is personified as the dynamic, creative energy of the divine, often depicted as a goddess or the consort of male deities like Shiva.12
Hindus may worship Shakti as the divine mother, who is believed to hold immense power and is seen as the source of creation, preservation, and destruction. In some traditions, Shakti is understood as a dormant spiritual energy within the body, known as kundalini, which can be awakened for spiritual liberation. She is known by many names, including Durga, Kali, and Lakshmi, representing her various aspects. Shaktism is closely associated with Tantra, a system of practices focused on harnessing this divine feminine energy.134
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
HinduismShaivismShakti is in turn personified in the form of many different goddesses, often said to be aspects of her.
Read MoreShakti is in turn personified in the form of many different goddesses, often said to be aspects of her.
Read More- yoni
…the symbol of the goddess Shakti, the feminine generative power and, as a goddess, the consort of Shiva. In Shaivism, the branch of Hinduism devoted to worship of the god Shiva, the yoni is often associated with the lingam, which is Shiva’s symbol. In sculpture and paintings, the lingam is…
Read More…the symbol of the goddess Shakti, the feminine generative power and, as a goddess, the consort of Shiva. In Shaivism, the branch of Hinduism devoted to worship of the god Shiva, the yoni is often associated with the lingam, which is Shiva’s symbol. In sculpture and paintings, the lingam is…
Read More
- HinduismShaiva Agamas
Shiva’s power, or shakti, personified as a goddess, causes bondage and release. She is also the magic Word, and thus her nature can be sought out and meditated upon in mantras.
Read MoreShiva’s power, or shakti, personified as a goddess, causes bondage and release. She is also the magic Word, and thus her nature can be sought out and meditated upon in mantras.
Read More - Shaktism
…worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti (Sanskrit: “Power” or “Energy”). Shaktism is, together with Vaishnavism and Shaivism, one of the major forms of modern Hinduism and is especially popular in Bengal and Assam. Shakti is conceived of either as the paramount goddess or as the consort of a male deity,…
Read More…worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti (Sanskrit: “Power” or “Energy”). Shaktism is, together with Vaishnavism and Shaivism, one of the major forms of modern Hinduism and is especially popular in Bengal and Assam. Shakti is conceived of either as the paramount goddess or as the consort of a male deity,…
Read More - Tantra
They emphasize the goddess Shakti as the female personification of the creative power or energy of the god Shiva. This view taken to its extreme holds that Shiva without his Shakti is like a corpse. In the Tantras that deal with Yoga, Shakti is identified with the kundalini, or…
Read MoreThey emphasize the goddess Shakti as the female personification of the creative power or energy of the god Shiva. This view taken to its extreme holds that Shiva without his Shakti is like a corpse. In the Tantras that deal with Yoga, Shakti is identified with the kundalini, or…
Read More