Paramashakti, Paramāśakti, Parama-shakti: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Paramashakti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Paramāśakti can be transliterated into English as Paramasakti or Paramashakti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Paramashakti in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Paramāśakti (परमाशक्ति) [=paramā śakti] refers to “(Śiva’s) supreme energy”, according to the Jayadrathayāmala: one of the earliest and most extensive Tantric sources of the Kālīkrama system.—Accordingly, as Bhairava teaches the Goddess about his inner state: “Established in the supreme state, I was penetrated by powerful meditation. Then (when this was happening) my supreme energy [i.e., paramāśaktiparamā śakti] was awakened from the Root Wheel (kandacakra). Her nature the Great Consciousness and delighting in bliss endowed with consciousness, she entered into the reality in the centre within the foundation, which is the Void of the Pulsing Union (saṃghaṭṭa). There in the centre, O daughter of the mountains, is the supreme light between the two, being and non-being. [...]”.

2) Paramāśakti (परमाशक्ति) [=paramā śakti] refers to the “supreme power”, representing one of the “sixteen stations of the ascent of kuṇḍalinī”, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “[...] (12) Above that is the supreme Power (śakti) whose form is that of a triangle. Subtle, subtle and subtler, it shines like millions of lightning flashes. [...] (Perfect) contemplation (samādhi) is with (these) sixteen aspects and is (attained) within the form of the sixfold deposition (ṣoḍhānyāsa). He who knows this is (a veritable) Lord of Yogis, the others (who do not) are (just) quoting from books. Once attained the plane that is Void and Non-void, the yogi is freed from bondage”.

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Discover the meaning of paramashakti or paramasakti in the context of Shaktism from relevant books on Exotic India

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Paramashakti in Shaivism glossary
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Paramāśakti (परमाशक्ति) refers to the “supreme Śakti”, according to verse 4.595-596b of the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, “The best of Sādhakas should install the supreme Śakti [hāṃ] [i.e., paramāśaktiparamā śaktiḥ] on the entire body, without face, eye, or limb mantras, devoid of a lotus seat; one should [also] envision her in each lotus, conjoining/possessing the lotus garlands”.

Shaivism book cover
context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Discover the meaning of paramashakti or paramasakti in the context of Shaivism from relevant books on Exotic India

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