Shakti

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This article is about the Hindu religious concept, for other meanings of the word see: Shakti (disambiguation).
Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti
Lakshmi is a common aspect of Shakti

Shakti meaning force, power or energy is the Hindu concept or personification of God's female aspect, sometimes referred to as 'The Divine Mother'. Shakti represents the active, dynamic principles of feminine power. In Shaktism, Shakti is worshiped as the Supreme Being, however, in other Hindu traditions, Shakti embodies the active energy and power of male deities (Purushas), such as Vishnu in Vaishnavism or Shiva in Shaivism. Vishnu's shakti counterpart is called Lakshmi, with Parvati being the female shakti of Shiva.

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[edit] Mythology

In the Hindu scripture 'Devi Mahatmya', Mahamaya (Great Maya) is said to cover Vishnu's eyes in Yoganidra (divine sleep) during cycles of existence when all is resolved into one. By exhorting Mahamaya to release Her illusory hold on Vishnu, Brahma is able to bring Vishnu to aid him in killing two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, who have manifested from Vishnu's sleeping form. Ramakrishna often spoke of Mother Maya and combined deep Brahmin allegory with the idea that Maya is a lesser reality that must be overcome so that one is able to realize his or her true self (atma).[citation needed]

The Shakti goddess is also known as Amma (meaning 'mother') in south India, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There are many temples devoted to various incarnations of the Shakti goddess in most of the villages in South India. The rural people believe that Shakti is the protector of the village, the punisher of evil people, the curer of diseases, and the one who gives welfare to the village. They celebrate Shakti Jataras with a lot of hue and great interest once a year. Some examples of incarnations are Gangamma, Kamakshamma, Kanakadurga, Mahalakshmammma, Meeenakshamma, Poleramma and Perantalamma.

[edit] Shakti Peeths

There are 51 important centres of Shakti worship located in the Indian sub-continent, most of which are located in India and Nepal, but some in neighbouring Bangladesh, Tibet and even Pakistan. These are called Shakti Peethas.

[edit] See also

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Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Indian epic poetry
Female Deities: Saraswati | Mariamman | Lakshmi | Dakshayani | Gayatri | Parvati | Durga | Shakti | Kali | Sita | Devi | Radha | Mahavidya | more...
Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Murugan | Hanuman | Ayyanar | Indra | Surya | more...
Texts: Vedas | Upanishads | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata | Rigveda
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