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 A deity of Devi worshipped during the Navrati festival.

The two other principal goddesses, Lakshmi and

Saraswati, are sometimes considered to be her 

daughters.

Shaktism focusses on the goddess generically called "Devi." She is worshipped most often

the consort of Shiva, but has also been raised to the status of the Supreme. Although some

books equate Shaktism with all major female deities (the "shaktis" of their respective conso

the Shakta tradition specifically worships Shiva's consort, in her various forms such as Parv

Durga, Kali, etc. The worship of Sita (with Rama) or of Radha (with Krishna) is not strictly p

of Shaktism, but does point to the ubiquitous role that the female deity plays within Hinduis

Within Shaktism, there is little emphasis on

doctrinal sampradayas, and much ideology co

from Shaivism. Since Shiva embodies the ma

principle and Shakti embodies the female, the

principles of Shaivism and Shaktism are

complementary. Shakti doctrine tends to

emphasise the non-difference between matter

spirit, and looks to the creative impetus of mat

rather than its ability to delude and entangle. F

this reason, Shaktas worship for material bene

as well as final liberation. A notable aspect of 

Shaktism is animal sacrifice and even docume

accounts of human sacrifice.

History

 Archaeological finding suggest that Shaktism goes back to prehistoric times. The Goddessdoes feature in the Vedas themselves, but scholars suggest that mainstream worship come

from other sources. She appears in the Epics and Puranas, especially the Markandeya Pur

It is in the Tantras that she appears to take the role of the Supreme.

There appear to be no strong sampradayic  links, and Shaktism may have been passed dow

a broader fashion, largely through local and village customs, and through connections with

other schools such as Shaivism. Shaktism has greatly influenced modern thinkers such as

Ramakrishna and Aurobindo. Not surprisingly Devi in her fiercer forms has become the pat

deity of women's liberation movements. Wherever Hindus have settled throughout the world

there are now a number of prominent Devi temples.

Main Writings

Devi Purana

Kalika Purana

Devi Bhagavata Purana

Mahabhagavata Purana

The Tantras

Important Places

Bengal

 

Shaktism

me

ncepts

ctice

estyle

ditionistorical Perspective

octrine and Scripture

Movements and Leaders

The Four Main

Denominations

Vaishnavism

Shaivism

Shaktism

The Smarta Tradition

Founders and Theologians

The Bhakti Saints

The Reform Movements

Socio-Political Movements

Recent Spiritual and Cultural

Leaders

Modern Hindu Groups and

Leaders

Famous Women within

Hinduism

Hinduism in Britain Today

ras

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Calcutta (Kali Temple)

Kanyakumari

Madurai

Vaishno Devi

Meaning and Purpose

Where does the distinction between male and female come from? Is it an ontological reality

social construct?

Related Values and Issues

Is God male, female, neither, or both?

(Possible) innate differences between male and female.

Personal Reflection

What is our reaction to the large number of goddesses within Hinduism? How does this

relate to ideas of a purely masculine God?

How does the feminine appear in our faiths/non-faith traditions?

Related Stories

Durga Kills the Buffalo Demon

Devi Kills other Demons

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