Shakti means the power of the feminine. Shakti means different ideas for different people. Shakti’s meaning in a general sense is the powerful energy that works towards the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe. Shakti is said to be exploring creation since mothers have the ability to give birth. Without Shakti, the universe is nothing as she arouses Shiva who has passive energy to create.
A Hindu God Ardhanarishvara is half-male and half-female. It is an iconic depiction of this idea. This God is equally male and female, which means that the world’s creation, maintenance, and destruction are dependent on both forces. Shakti also means goddesses who have the attributes of death, degeneration, illness. Shakti’s creative and good powers include music, art, dance, wealth, and nature. Shakti can be also called the kind and generous Uma, wife of Shiva. Shakti is also in the form of Kali who destroys evil. Shakti can also be called Durga who controls the forces that can affect the stability of the universe.
Shakti is also called as Adi Shakti or Adi Para Shakti. Shakti’s other names include Mahalakshmi, Kamakshi, Parvati, Lalita, Bhuvaneshwari, Durga, Meenakshi, Mariamman, Yellamma, Poleramma, and Perantalamma. Shakti’s forms of infinite and are unknown and beyond the comprehension of human beings. Shaktism is a major tradition in Hinduism wherein Shakti is regarded as the supreme Godhead. Shaktas, people who follow Shaktism, celebrate different forms of Shakti during festivals like Navratri, Vasant Panchami, Diwali, and others.
