Shakti is the great process lying almost restless at the deepest sphere of individual consciousness capable of creation, progression and destruction. It is the powerful awareness, which is lying dormant at present in us.

Where is Shakti?

It is everywhere. It is the left half of Shiva, Shiva is Prana. Shakti is energy. Shiva is tongue and Shakti is the power of speech. Shiva and Shakti move together, but Shiva cannot materialize himself into actions and things without the active cooperation of and in conjunction with Shakti. Therefore, Shakti is the subject matter of Tantra Shastra, whether in Shakti Tantra or Shaiva Tantra.

Shakti is depicted by a feminine frame, termed as a Goddess, portrayed as a beautiful lady. However, the Tantras declare that Shakti is an all pervading and an all-embracing existence. Shakti is present in a saint, in a sinner, in a man, in a woman, in a believer and in a non-believer.

Worship of Shakti as the presiding deity takes place in Tantra Shastra. All mantras, mudras and other elements of worship are dedicated to her. She is the Maitri aspect, which is the nucleus and center of total consciousness in all living beings.

Extracted from Tantra Shastra, An Introduction: Swami Satyananda.

Aim Hrim Klim