TANTRIC SCULPTURES OF SHAKTI

Worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti is characterized as Shaktism. One of the main schools of modern Hinduism, alongside Vaishnavism and Shaivism, is Shaktism, which itself is especially well-liked in Bengal and Assam. In folklore, Shakti has been either considered to be the ultimate goddess or as the companion of the Supreme male divinity, Shiva. Shakti is venerated by several Hindus as the holy mother who admonishes complete obedience. Yogis regard Shakti as the energy that, in the guise of the coiled serpent-like kundalini, remains dormant inside the body and needs to be aroused in order to attain cosmic enlightenment.

The goddess Shakti is honored under a plethora of names; Hindus consider all female goddesses to also be her diverse manifestations and might even simply call her Devi (Goddess). She is alternatively referred to as Uma, Parvati, and Ambika in her compassionate form. Shitala, the deity of smallpox, the devil-destroying Durga, as well as the black Kali are all manifestations of her deadly, violent side. The goddess is also worshiped as the amiable Lakshmi, who is Lord Vishnu's wife. Some of her other forms are-

1. Devi Varahi: Hindu deity Devi Varahi  symbolizes the feminine side of humankind's all-pervasive strength, which is inherent in all living entities. She pertains towards the Matrikas, a pantheon of seven Mother Deities who materialize as "Shakti," or strength. Varaha, Lord Vishnu's boar Avatar, has a female equivalent termed Sri Varahi Devi. The Devil is adored by the entirety of Hindu sects, especially Vaishnavas, Shaivas, and Shaktas. She is the queen consort of the Northern direction. Varahi Devi is adored regularly at night employing covert Vamamarga Tantric ceremonies. She is identified as Barahi in Nepal, and Vajravarh and Marici, two Buddhist goddesses, are also generally thought to be manifestations of the Goddess.

   
   

2. Devi Kali: In the Hindu dharma, moksha, representing the sole goal of human existence, Kali symbolizes the annihilation of the self image; an independence from the cycle of existence. Time is portrayed by Kali, who is additionally Shiva's female form (Kaala). Traditionally, her name symbolizes "woman who is dark." As a metaphor that our existence is nothing other than a graveyard where all that is born must ultimately decay and perish, Kali is believed to dwell in cemeteries amidst rotting bodies. She demonstrates the need for us to remove the ghosts in our closet by donning a garland crafted of skulls. She supplies us with the necessary tools to perform our own unique excisions.

   
   

3. Devi Ardhanarishvara: The name Ardhanareeswara is an amalgamation of the three words "Ardha," "Nari," and "Ishwara," which, when spoken together, allude to the deity who is half woman. As per common perception, Lord Shiva symbolizes the masculine portion, and Goddess Parvati or Shakti is the female part.

   
   

4. Sri Maha Pratyangira Devi: Hindu deity Pratyangira is connected to Shaktism. She is considered Narasimha's companion and female spirit. She is the complete embodiment of Tripura Sundari's anger, based on the Tripura Rahasya. The deity of the Atharva Veda and mystical rituals, Atharvana Bhadrakali, is the Vedic counterpart of Pratyangira.

   
   

5. Devi Naga Kanya: The offspring of the serpent, guardian of riches, and very kind goddess of the three domains, Naga Kanya is the snake of the rainbow. Nagas are sinuous entities from Hindu mythology that dwell in the netherworld and oversee and impart the Mother Goddess's wisdom. They are supposed to protect all esoteric and arcane doctrines, only providing them to individuals who seek them with respect.

FAQS

Q1. How is Hinduism slightly different from Shaktism?

Shaktism reveres the female deity, Shakti and her manifestations as its Supreme Deity, while Hinduism has 3 Supreme deities- Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Q2. What is the link between Shaktism and Tantra?

Hindu Tantra, a set of practices encompassing goddess devotion and meant to empower and transcend both the mind and body, has shaktism as an important determinant.