Significance of Shakti
In various philosophical and spiritual traditions, Shakti is understood as a powerful and dynamic energy. In Tibetan Buddhism, it represents a person's power towards knowledge and understanding, while in Shaktism, Shakti embodies the divine feminine energy essential for creation, maintenance, and destruction in the universe. Various texts denote Shakti as both a creative force and as the active principle of divinity, often personified as the Goddess or through different divine forms, emphasizing the importance of feminine power in spiritual practices and the cosmological order.
Synonyms: Power, Strength, Energy, Force, Capability, Potency, Dynamism, Vigor
In Dutch: Shakti
In Finnish: Shakti
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Shakti'
In Buddhism, Shakti signifies feminine energy, often depicted alongside deities like Dharmapala and Bodhisattvas. It embodies dynamic force in creation, protection, and knowledge, enhancing the power of divine counterparts and representing action within spiritual contexts.
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) The divine female energy or consort often represented alongside the Yi-dam, enhancing the divinity's power.[1] (2) Sakti refers to the feminine energy or divine power associated with male deities, representing the dynamic force in their creation and protection.[2] (3) Female energy or consort associated with the Adi-Buddha, often represented alongside or in union (yab-yum) with him.[3] (4) The female energy or divine feminine aspect associated with each Dhyani-Buddha, representing action and creative power.[4] (5) Refers to the feminine energy or divine power associated with a deity, often personified as a goddess who complements the deity.[5]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Refers to a person's power, particularly the ability to achieve knowledge or understanding.[6]
Hindu concept of 'Shakti'
Shakti in Hinduism embodies the divine feminine energy, crucial for creation, maintenance, and destruction within the cosmos. It represents the power of deities, particularly associated with Shiva, symbolizing the nurturing and transformative forces of the universe.
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The divine feminine energy representing the active force of the universe, often personified as the Goddess, responsible for creation and change.[7] (2) The power of the Devi that is united with Maya, causing her to be the Saguna or the Great Cause of the world.[8] (3) Spiritual powers or energies that manifest during creation, preservation, and destruction, associated with the divine.[9] (4) The divine energy and power of the Goddess, often considered the feminine aspect of divinity.[10] (5) The divine power by which the universe is created, manifested, and destroyed.[11]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The divine feminine energy personified in Gauri, representing nurturing and sustenance.[12] (2) The energetic power associated with the feminine divine, represented in the collective of attendees at the wedding.[13] (3) The divine power or energy of the Lord, associated with creation and existence, which functions alongside Shiva.[14] (4) The cosmic energy or divine power that is personified by the goddess in the story, representing both creation and destruction.[15] (5) The divine power or energy that creates the universe and is personified by Parvati.[16]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) Powerful divine entities engaged in battle, who became inactive and dejected due to the effects of the Jayavighna Yantra.[17] (2) Divine feminine powers and energies that are rejuvenated through goddess Lalita's divine presence.[18] (3) Divine feminine powers represented in multiple forms, associated with various deities and seasons, contributing to the cosmic order.[19] (4) Feminine forces or energy entities representing power and strength in the battlefield.[20] (5) The divine feminine power represented by various deities throughout the allegory, influencing the cosmic order and spiritual attainment.[21]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) The divine feminine power associated with each incarnation of Shiva, providing specific blessings and desires.[22] (2) The divine feminine energy that represents the dynamic forces of creation and sustenance.[23] (3) The divine powers or energies associated with Shiva, critical for the effectiveness of the rites.[24] (4) The dynamic energy or power of Shiva, which manifests in various forms and is responsible for creation.[25] (5) The divine energy or power that transformed entities into great figures due to their devotion.[26]
From: Linga Purana
(1) The divine female energy associated with Shiva, represented by various forms in worship.[27] (2) Divine energies or powers that are invoked and worshipped during rituals for their effectiveness in attaining spiritual and material goals.[28]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) The ultimate reality in Shaktism, representing the energizing power and the divine mother of the world.[29] (2) Well-made barley meal that should be offered to brahmanas along with akshata during the observance.[30]
From: Agni Purana
(1) The divine feminine energy represented in the rituals, worshipped through offerings to ensure auspiciousness.[31]
From: Markandeya Purana (Study)
(1) Shakti denotes energy in general, representing the dynamic force that governs the entire universe.[32]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The divine energies or manifestations related to Vishnu that require reverence.[33]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) In the context, refers to the son of Vasishtha, noted for his brilliance.[34]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) The divine feminine power or energy, represented by the goddess accompanying Isha.[35]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) The divine feminine energy and power that underlies creation and transformation.[36] (2) The dynamic force or energy that manifests in the world and exists in various forms including Vidya Shakti (consciousness) and Avidya Shakti (illusion).[37] (3) The dynamic and active principle of the divine, often personified as the Mother Goddess, representing power, creativity, and the force behind the universe's processes.[38] (4) The divine feminine energy and power, often represented in the form of a woman in Tantric practices, highlighting the unity of masculine and feminine in spirituality.[39] (5) Divine feminine energy or power that encompasses all aspects of reality and is essential for creation, maintenance, and destruction in the universe.[40]
From: Varahi Tantra (English Study)
(1) The divine feminine energy or power, residing in the muladhara cakra, and representing a vital force within the body.[41] (2) Divine feminine powers that sprang forth to assist in defeating the demon Raktabija.[42]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) ऊर्जा या शक्ति, विशेष रूप से आध्यात्मिक क्षेत्र में, जो किसी कार्य की क्षमता को दर्शाती है।[43] (2) Refers to the power or energy utilized for creation, signifying the potency of Bhagavan in generating the world.[44] (3) Refers to the potency or energy of the Lord, which is expressed in both superior and inferior forms.[45]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to the internal potency or energy of the Supreme Lord, emphasizing empowerment and divine action.[46]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) The feminine principle of divine power or energy, embodied by Sri Lakshmi as the Essence of God's potency.[47]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Divine potency, which in this context refers to the dual concepts of knowledge and ignorance.[48]
From: Vakyapadiya (study of the concept of Sentence)
(1) Described as the will of God or the speaker that determines the meaning of words; it represents the primary meaning articulated in a sentence.[49] (2) The relation between a sentence and its meaning, as identified by Nagesha.[50]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The term used to describe the powers or abilities of the ultimate reality; both the capacity to manifest and the manifestations themselves.[51] (2) The concept of power ascribed to a thing when it is understood in the context of aiding another entity.[52]
From: Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
(1) The powers involved in shaping foreign policy, including prabhava (administrative influence), utsaha (capacity to withstand), and mantra (counsel).[53]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) The potency or power attributed to substances and their ability to enact changes, crucial in the philosophical analysis.[54] (2) Desire of God functioning as a quality rather than an intrinsic characteristic of words.[55]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The cosmic energy or force that manifests as the divine feminine principle and is associated with creation.[56] (2) The power or energy that is central to the practices described, situated between the sun and moon.[57]
From: Shat-cakra-nirupana (the six bodily centres)
(1) The divine female energy that interacts with Nada and Bindu, playing a crucial role in creation and transformation.[58] (2) The divine energy or power associated with creation, often linked to feminine principles in spiritual texts.[59] (3) Refers to the feminine energy or power that the deity holds in the other hand, indicative of balance.[60] (4) The divine feminine energy that permeates all existence, crucial for the creation and maintenance of the universe.[61]
From: Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice)
(1) The divine feminine energy that is considered inseparably linked to Siva in Natha Sampradaya.[62]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) Shakti represents the divine feminine energy and grace that facilitates the processes of obscuration and enlightenment within the individual self, acting both as an obscuration potency and a liberating force.[63]
From: Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
(1) Power or energy, specifically of sentient action in this context.[64]
From: Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
(1) A powerful weapon that Karna preserved to kill Arjuna, ultimately used against Ghatotkaca instead.[65]
From: Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study)
(1) The female principle in the Shakta system, considered as God in mother form and embodying the dynamic aspect of reality.[66]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The divine energies or powers that assist in the worship process, often represented as deities.[67]
The concept of Shakti in local and regional sources
Shakti embodies the feminine divine energy in Hinduism, representing empowerment, creativity, and spiritual dynamism, crucial to Shaktism and other traditions. It symbolizes the cosmic force driving creation and is often personified as a goddess.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The concept of spiritual power and evolutionary force within humanity, which India embodies and is urged to manifest for collective benefit.[68] (2) The embodiment of feminine energy and power in Hinduism, often referred to as the Divine Mother.[69] (3) Sakti is the divine feminine energy in Hinduism, viewed as the personification of empowerment, creativity, and spiritual dynamism within the Tantric traditions.[70] (4) The divine feminine force in Hinduism, representing energy, power, and creation.[71] (5) The dynamic energy or force that animates the dance of the Lord, symbolizing female divine power.[72]
From: Diaspora of Bhuta (Daiva) worshipping cult—India and Indonesia
(1) Shakti represents the feminine divine energy and power, crucial to the beliefs and practices in Shaktism.[73]
The concept of Shakti in scientific sources
Shakti signifies female power, emphasizing women's vital role in creation and health. It underscores the significance of women's health in society, showcasing their essential contributions to overall well-being and nurturing.
From: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
(1) The concept of energy or power within the body that can be influenced positively by foot massage and abhyanga practices.[74] (2) A term that signifies female power, often associated with women's role as a source of creation and health, highlighting the importance of women's health in society.[75]