Rudrashakti, Rudraśakti, Rudra-shakti: 5 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Shaktism
2. Shaivism
3. Yoga
See also

Introduction:

Rudrashakti 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 Rudraśakti can be transliterated into English as Rudrasakti or Rudrashakti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) is another name for the Goddess Kubjikā.—[...] Kubjikā is frequently identified with Rudraśakti throughout our text. In this aspect she is, amongst other things, the energy of this divine Fire. As such she is also, as we have seen, Saṃvartā, the Doomsday Fire that burns in the centre of the maṇḍala with the power of bliss. In this way, the goddess who is said to ‘reside in fire’ (vahnivāsinī) is implicitly identified with the spiritual power of the Vedic sacrificial fire. Thus the goddess, who “stoked the supreme fire” and contemplated it burning in the centre of the maṇḍala, contemplated her own nature.

2) Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) is the deity representing the Adhikārājñā or “command of authority”, according to the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—The Command of Authority (adhikārājñā) is the first one. The Command of Grace (prasādājñā) is the second. If it is attained in due order along with the transmission duly transmitted from that time on one becomes a teacher. [...] These two kinds or aspects of the Command are two energies. The Command of Authority [i.e., adhikārājñā] is Rudraśakti and the Command of Grace [i.e., prasādājñā] is Śāmbhavī. Rudraśakti, the Command of Authority, is the form the Command assumes initially in order to remove impurity. The teacher, or sometimes the deity directly, transmits this to the aspirant by looking at him with the ‘Gaze of the Lion’ (siṃhāvalokana). A hallmark of the transmission, it is accordingly called the ‘Teaching of the Lion’ (siṃhaśāsana).

Source: Kamakoti Mandali: The Yoginis of Narasimha Vyuha

Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) or Mātṛkāśakti refers to a group of deities created by Mahārudra in order to control the plague of demons created by Andhakāsura.—Accordingly, Andhaka-Asura tried to kidnap Umā (Devī Pārvatī), and was fiercely attacked by Mahārudra who shot arrows at him from his mahāpināka. when the arrows pierced the body of Andhakāsura, drops of blood fell to earth and from those drops, thousands of Andhakas arose. To control this plague of demons, Mahārudra created Mātṛkā-Śaktis and ordered them to drink the blood of the demons and drain them dry.

Though these Rudraśaktis continued to drink the blood of the demons, Andhakas continued to appear and began attacking Rudra from all directions. At this point, he sought refuge under the lotus feet of Mahānṛsiṃha. Overcome with compassion at the plight of Śaṃbhu, Mahāsaṅkarṣaṇa created a Nārasimhīśakti named Śuṣkarevatī. Within a second, this ferocious śakti drank and dried the blood of the demons, who were then killed by Rudramūrti.

Source: Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts: Volume 12 (1898) (shak)

Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) refers to one of the topics discussed in the Rudrayāmalatantra, a Sanskrit manuscript collected in volume 1 of the catalogue “Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (first series)” by Rajendralal Mitra (1822–1891), who was one of the first English-writing historians dealing with Indian culture and heritage.— The Rudrayāmala-tantra is an elaborate and original Tantra, including the whole range of Śākta knowledge about religion, social orders, castes, sacred places, modes of adoration, forms of ceremonies, etc. It contains roughly 9,000 verses divided into 67 sections.—The catalogue includes the term—Rudraśakti in its ‘subject-matter list’ or Viṣaya (which lists topics, chapters and technical terms). The complete entry reads—[chapter 47: rudraśaktilākinīstotraṃ].

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: eScholarship: The role of religious experience in the traditions of Tantric Shaivism

Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) refers to the “power of Rudra”, according to the 7th century Siddhayogeśvarīmata-tantra verse 1.16ff.—Accordingly, “[...] If those who desire the fruits taught in the scriptures obtain a Guru without śakti, they will not succeed even with much effort. Therefore, if someone initiated with Śiva’s rite desires success, he should know how to become possessed/penetrated by the Power of Rudra (i.e., rudraśakti), and having done so, he should perform the grasping of the mantra”.

Note: The passage argues that one’s Guru and oneself must be acquainted with the techniques to bring about rudra-śakti-samāveśa, the infusion of God’s power into one’s body and mind. This enables the “grasping of the mantra” (tad-graha), where as Somdev Vasudeva has argued (personal communication), graha is tantamount to a synonym for āveśa.

According to verse 2.4ff:—“Due to possession by the Power of Rudra (i.e., rudraśakti), the ‘divine behavior’ is observed. It may be observed in the teacher; when it is, it is taught that one may receive a mantra from him for that reason. Due to possession by the Power of Rudra (i.e., rudraśakti), śakti arises instantly in a great master, producing immediate evidence of its presence”.

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.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Rudraśakti (रुद्रशक्ति) refers to “Rudra’s Śakti”, according to the Ūrmikaulārṇava verse 3.72.—Accordingly, while discussing the absorption of Śiva and Śakti: “Both Rudra and Rudra’s Śakti [i.e., rudraśakti] go to absorption in amanaska. Thus, this Kaula [knowledge] has not been taught in the innumerable Brahmanical and Śaiva scriptures”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Relevant text

Search found 6 books and stories containing Rudrashakti, Rudraśakti, Rudra-shakti, Rudra-śakti, Rudrasakti, Rudra-sakti; (plurals include: Rudrashaktis, Rudraśaktis, shaktis, śaktis, Rudrasaktis, saktis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 95 [Parāśakti as Kālakarṣiṇī in Cakrapañcaka] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]

Part 4 - Nine-fold grace of Śiva < [Philosophy of Kashmir Tantric System]

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Part 1.1 - Rudraśaktisamāveśa in Early Śākta-tantras < [Chapter 5 - Impacts of the Evolution]

Part 2 - Śaktisparśa: The Touch of Śakti < [Chapter 6 - Social and Philosophical implications of Śakti in Kashmir Śaivism]

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Eulogy of Vasudeva < [Purana, Volume 11, Part 2 (1969)]

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Chapter 19 - On the midday Sandhyā < [Book 11]

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Chapter 5 - The universe of Mantra

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