Who Is Adi Shakti?

Adi Shakti- Feminine Power

According to the Hindu theology, all women are the manifestations of Adi Shakti. This is because women have the power of creation and without women it would be difficult to sustain life on Earth. Adi Shakti is worshipped in the form of Devi Durga as nirguna (formless) and saguna (with form). She is the source of sustenance for all the beings on Earth who emerge from Her and go back into Her.

Shakti & Shiva

Adi Shakti manifests Herself in the saguna form when She unites with Shiva. She is the source from which Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are said to have originated. Adi Shakti (Prakriti) unites with Shiva (Purusha) to start the process of creation. She is the feminine half of Shiva which helps Him to maintain the balance of universe.

Adi Shakti Resides Within Humans

Adi Shakti or the cosmic energy resides within the humans. This source of energy lies hidden inside the human since birth and it needs to be activated to realise its immense power. The tantras, yoga , spiritual discourses are all directed towards awakening this hidden energy of an individual.

Shakti Mantra

The mantra is said to be the key to unlock the hidden Shakti in ourselves. The mantra is as follows:

Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Adi Shakti, Namo Namo!
Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Sarab Shakti, Namo Namo!
Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Prithum Bhagvati, Namo Namo!
Kundalini Mata Shakti, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo!

It means:
Primal Shakti, I bow to Thee!
All-Encompassing Shakti, I bow to Thee!
That through which Divine Creates, I bow to Thee!
Creative Power of the Kundalini, Mother of all Mother Power, To Thee I Bow

The Shakti Cult

The worshippers of Shakti are the ones who believe that Adi Shakti is the Supreme Brahman itself. All the other forms which exists in the universe have originated from the divine energy. They worship the feminine energy along with Shiva, who is the masculine unit of divinity.

Thus, Shaktism believes that woman is the creator of the universe, the universe is her form. A woman is the foundation of the world, she is the true form of the body.

Food For Thought

It is quite strange that in a country where the basis of sustenance of life is said to be a woman, is the same country where to be born as a woman is a curse in itself. Isn't it time for some good deal introspection for all of us?