Introduction

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

In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

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.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shakti, Rudra.

Full-text (+11): Divyacarana, Padmakara, Shankhini, Kanthakarni, Uttaramalika, Ashmadarshana, Nrisimhabhairavi, Ajita, Akarshini, Kalasankarshini, Garutpakshahrida, Jvalamukhi, Bhishanika, Sukshmahridaya, Kurukulla, Sarvaklishta, Kamadhenu, Cakrahridaya, Trailokyamohini, Vyomacarini.

Relevant text

Search found 1 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:

The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)

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

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