Hindu God - Shakti


	Shakti
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The universe that we see and experience is a bundle of energy, both packed and unpacked. This is the discovery of modem science, which incidentally, has demolished the distinction between matter and energy. According to it, there is one basic energy behind all forms of matter and energy. However, it seems to be still far off from discovering the relationship between matter on the one hand, and, mind and life on the other. Are they also, though apparently poles apart, manifestations of the same basic energy? Could it be that the same energy or matter, at one level of vibration is called 'matter', at another, 'mind' and yet another, 'life'? Modem science or the modem scientists, devoting most of their attention to the manifest material universe may not even be prepared to concede this possibility! Hindu philosophy, based on the Vedanta and a group of works based on the Vedanta and more commonly known as the Tantras postulates exactly this! The source and sustenance of all creation, whether at the level of matter or life or mind, is one and one only. It is Sakti (energy). Brahman (the Absolute) of the Vedanta and Sakti or DeVI of the Tantras are identical. When that 'energy' is in a static condition, with neither evolution nor involution, when the universe to be created is not even in a seed-form as it were, it is called Brahman. When it starts evolving into this creation, sustains it and withdraws it back into itself, it is called Sakti. If Brahman is the coiled serpent in sleep, Sakti is the same serpent in motion. If Brahman is likened to the word, Sakti is its meaning. If Brahman is like fire, Sakti is its burning power. The two are inseparable: one in two and two mone.
In the Hindu mythological literature, as also in the Tantras, this energy is always pictured as a female deity, the Devl, as the consort of its counterpart male deity. Each member of the Trinity has his Sakti or DeVI as his consort: Sarasvatl of Brahma, Laksml of Visnu and Parvatl of Siva. However, the mother-cult that has evolved over the last few centuries, is predominantly centred round Parvatl, the consort of Siva.
Mother-worship and mother-cult are not alien to the Vedic religion as some suggest. The concept of Aditi, the mother of gods, personification of nature and the Ambhrnisukta as also the Ratrisukta of the Rgveda clearly contain the origins of mother-worship.