Questions tagged [shaktism]
Questions about Shaktism (Sanskrit: शाक्तं, literally doctrine of power) a domination that focus worship on Shakti (शक्ति) as the absolute
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What exactly is Nada, Bindu and Kala?
I have come across the term Nada, Bindu and Kala etc many times and they seem to be talking about various different concepts sometimes personal and sometimes cosmic.
In one explanation Bindu is ...
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Who is that Bhuvaneshwari devi as mentioned in Srimad Devi Bhagavatam?
As all shaktas know that the Deity of Devi Bhagavatam is Adya shakti Bhuvaneshwari. But there are some confusions though.
In devi bhagvatam devi Bhuvaneshwari is called as Moolprakriti from whom 5 ...
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What is the significance of ह्रीं HRIM beej mantra?
I have seen the reference of ह्रीं at multiple mantras.
What is the exact significance of this mantra and how powerful is this?
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Does the 'Red-dot' Tilaka of the Śāktas (शाक्त) have any name?
For Instance:
The name of the Tilaka worn by the Śaivas (शैव) is Tripuṇḍra Tilaka (त्रिपुण्ड्र-तिलक).
The name of the Tilaka worn by the Vaiṣṇavas (वैष्णव) is Ūrdhvapuṇḍra Tilaka (ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्र-तिलक)...
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Is Goddess Durga Brahman or Maya? Why is she termed as Brahman in some places and maya in others?
In the Harivamsa For instance, There occurs a stuti of Durga, where She is Praised as Brahman in chapter 3 of The Vishnu Parva, Verse 32.
But In the Same Harivamsa, in another stuti of hers in ...
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Is the form of Devi complete in herself? Does she need Purusha to become complete?
All Puranas and speeches from different devotees made me super confusing.
I only want to think as Devitatva as Supreme Parabrahman. Are there scriptures which say that Devitatva is supreme? I'm ...
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Where is the Dakshina Kalika Stotram taken from?
The Dakshina Kalika Stotram in Sanskrit is a regularly recited hymn in many Bengali households, especially among Shaktites, that constitute the majority of Bengal. It is mentioned in almost all ...
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What are the major schools of Kashmir Shaivism?
One of the nondual Agamic traditions is the Kashmir Shaiva agama.
What are the major schools of this tradition?
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What is the chronological order of events mentioned in Devi Mahtmya/Durga Shaptshati?
Devi Mahatmya or Durga Shaptshati is one of the most important Shakta scriptures. It is present in Markandeya Purana. Basically it tells the story of King Suratha and a Vaishya who go to Medha Rishi ...
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Who are the Gaṇas?
Devi Mahatmya says that gaṇas came out of the Devi and fought for her. (Devi Mahatmya 2.52)
And the deep breaths, which Ambikā fighting in the battle breathed forth, came into real being at once as ...
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Mansa Devi & Goddess Tradition Animal Sacrifice
Just wondering is animal sacrifice is clearly written in devotion instructions in religious texts for Mansa Devi ?
They seem to kill many many goats for her :(
Sucks, MansaDevi is one of my faves, I ...
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What is the Difference between Shaiva and Shakta?
Both sects believe in the oneness of Shiva - Shakti as the supreme essence of the vishvam.
So what is the difference between the two?
Can I have a compare and contrast type answer?
Like in what ways ...
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What are all the Authentic Tantra Scriptures accepted by the Srikula branch of Shaktism?
Can someone list all the authentic Tantra Scriptures that are accepted by the Srikula Branch of Shaktism?
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What is Shaktadvaita tradition?
This article from Wikipedia says Devi Bhagavata Purana "promotes bhakti (devotion) towards Mahadevi, integrating themes from the Shaktadvaitavada tradition (syncretism of Samkhya and Advaita ...
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Where can I find the reference to Ashta Shaktis of Devi Durga?
There are eight Shaktis of Devi Durga who are worshipped during the Ashtami of Durgapuja. They are: Ugrachanda, Prachanda, Chandogra, Chandanayika, Atichanda, Chamunda, Chanda and Chandavati. They ...
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Are there any current female saints in shaktism?
Are there any current saints in Shaktism,like Sarada Devi or like anandamayi maa were for general hinduism?
Are there any saints in shaktism right now that are well known?
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Subtle Body Or Physical Body Abilities
Shakta Saints Flying, Walking On Water, Living Underwater :
Hey guys, so as I’ve been looking up different Shakta saints, there are many instances where they’re able to fly in the sky like birds, live ...
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Who are Jambhini, Tulaja Devi and Mohini?
In this chapter of Devi Bhagavatha says the Dasha Mahavidyas, Kamakshi, Guhyakali, Jambhini, Mohini and Tulaja Devi are emerged from Devi Shakambhari.
But, i don't know about Jambhini, Tulaja Devi and ...
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what is the difference between Adi Shakti and Adi Parashakti?
Are Adi Shakti and Adi Para-Shakti synonyms or there's some difference between them as per Shaiva sects and Shakta sects?
if so, what is the difference?
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Do any of our scriptures mention benefits of having a girl child?
In traditional or even modern-day India, I hear from my elders that the birth of a girl baby is not as welcoming as a boy baby.
I also heard from elders that during Punyavachanam a special portion/...
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Are there any Shaiva or Shakta refutations that "Narayana" is a proper noun?
According to Panini, Sanskrit grammar says that the "Na" in "Narayana" turns it into a proper noun. A proper noun applies to that specific being unlike a common noun, like Shiva, which can apply to ...
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Is Vishalakshi and Devi Vimala mentioned in any scriptures?
I know Vishalakshi is a goddess of Kashi and Vimala a goddess of Puri. But, any scriptures mentioned about this goddesses?
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How many Devi Sahasranamas are there in scriptures?
How many Sahasranamas dedicated to Devi are there in scriptures?
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How are all the different Vedantic schools viewed by the Shakta sampradaya?
Recently I happened to read somewhere that Shaktism more or less rejects Vedanta and accepts only Tantra as the supreme authority, This makes me curious to know how all the different Vedantic ...
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Shakta mantras that do not need initiation
Is there any mantra like om namha shivaya or om namo bhagvate vasudevaye for shakta that can be chanted without initiation?
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What are the different branches of Shaktism?
There are many different sects in Hinduism,like Vaishnavism,Shaivaism and Shaktism.Some sects,like Vaishnavism and Shaivaism,have different branches like Gaudiya Vaishnavism,which glorifies Krishna ...
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Is it true that the following goddesses are mentioned as Mahavidyas?
I found the following goddesses mentioned as Mahavidyas in wisdomlib.
These goddesses are Chandeshvari, Laghusyama, Triputa, Vanadurga, Shulini, Ashvarudha, Trilokyavijaya, Mahavarahi and Annapurna. ...
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Is true Goddess Kali killed two demons named Kolasura and Ghorasura?
In Wikipedia, I have read Goddess Kali killed two demons named Kolasura and Ghorasura. But, Is it true Goddess Kali killed Kolasura and Ghorasura? What was the story?
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Who is Langura worshipped in Devi temples?
This is in continuation with my previous question of representation of Lord Hanuman in Shakta traditions with Maa Durga and Lord Bhairava.
You can find this question here : Lord Hanuman in Shaktism.
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Lord Hanuman in Shaktism
I have seen various pictures of Maa Durga with Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairava.
Infact I have even seen in Devi temples having shrine of Lord Hanuman right with Maa Shakti.
While Lord Bhairava has His ...
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Why can’t we justify offering animal sacrifice using Bhagwad Gita?
I see offering animal sacrifices to god as a way we humans can put to applications the principles of Chapter 2 .i.e. sankhya yoga in Bhagwad Geeta.
1.Verse 28 says not to lament over the loss of ...
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Importance/Significance Of Birth Name
Wanted to ask this question : Hey guys, does it say anywhere in shastras or puran or such that the birth name of a bhakt will have influence over their chosen Isht-Dev or path of bhakti ?
So like if a ...
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Favorite Color of Devi (Kali/Durga/Mansa)
Perusing topics on here and came across this thread discussing favorite color of Narayan for Vishnu-bhakt :
Favourite colour of Vishnu
Ideal to know for choosing which flowers for arpit and such, ...
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Mata Ka Jagrata Tradition (Mata Ki Chowki)
Is there some religious history or scriptural mention re all-night prayer of Devi w/ Mata Ka Jagrata ? Like how and where the tradition of it started ? I was reading that Kali Puja was started by King ...
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Chinnmasta/Chinnmastika Clarification
A number of the sites I’m perusing say Chinnamasta is originally a Buddhist goddess who was later over centuries incorporated into the Hindu pantheon. A number of religious scholar types asserting ...
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Do Shakta beliefs explain Hindu cycles of time?
Hey guys I had to delete my first account, I was the new Shakta one with the vegan puja questions.
My question here is : Are there places in the Shakta texts where cycles of time are explained ?
Like ...
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Names/list of prominent or well known bhakts of Devi in India
I’ve been a Hindu-mytho addict for many years now so listened to and watched/read many stories from Hinduism with notable and respected Shiv-bhakts and Vishnu-bhakts.
So, lots of info re bhakts of ...
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What type of Jyotish do Shaktas use?
Vaishnavas are known to follow Bhrigu and Lomasha Jyotish.
Shaivas follow Shiva Jyotish.
Smartas, and sometimes Vaishnavas with Shaivas, follow Parashara Jyotish.
And what type of Jyotish is followed ...
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Panchamundi and Navamundi asanas
I was curious about the Panchamundi and Navamundi asanas.
Is the provision of sitting and meditating in those asanas given in tantras of Sri Vidya, Kubjika Tantra or tantras like Jayadrathayamala?
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Navarna and Dasakshari Chamunda Mantra
What are the Rishi, Chanda, Mantra Devata, Bija, Shakti and Kilaka of the Chamunda Navarna Mantra?
Although aware of the popular opinion, this site mentions a completely different set of mantra-angas,...
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Amavasya Kali Puja
Another question from beginner level here, if anyone might have info :
Ok, so I knew some people a while back who kept Kali puja & vrat every Amavasya. So like twelve-thirteen times a year, I ...
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Could someone perhaps direct me to info regarding Smashan Kali & Guhya Kali?
I'm looking for scriptural info about Guhya Kali and Smashan Kali with translations if possible (Yogini Tantra and the like.) As in what the Tantra background/stories are for these forms of Kali, and ...
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In North-East India, in the Shakta tradition, what days of the week is the fast for the Devi-bhaktas?
Hopefully this isn't a duplicate of this question : Why each day of the week is dedicated to a particular god?
Because I'm asking the vrat-din of specific Shakta tradition in specific region of India (...
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Is complete list of Demons sequentially killed by Devi as per Devi mahatyam available?
Is there Full/complete sequential list of Demons that were killed by Devi and which devi swarupam killed which demon as per Devi mahatyam? Why only Devi had to kill the demons? Why not trimurthis not ...
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Why Bala Parameswari not included in Dasamahavidyas
As far as i know, SriVidya krama has included Bala mantra upasana.
But, why DasaMahavidyas doesn't include mentioning of Bala Parameswari.Though, it has Tripurasundari, Bhuvaneswari, TarA etc..
, ...
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Does the great goddess - 'the 'wife of Shiva', manifests with different names in different Kalpas?
In the Skanda Purana Verse 7.1.7.25-40, god Shiva recounts the names of previous births of goddess Parvati across various kalpas, as follows
Īśvara said:
कल्पेकल्पे महादेवि अवतारं करोषि यत् ॥ तेन ते ...
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Who are Saptamatrikas?
Who are Saptamatrikas? Where we can find the first reference of Saptamatrikas in our scripture? What is the significance of Saptamatrika worship? Please provide references directly from primary ...
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How do spirits like Pret have sexual intercourse with humans at night?
Do they have similar bodies and body parts?
And does this sex cause some physical problem in the human "victim"?
How to tell if a spirit is having sex with you?
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What is the source of the Navadurga Stotram and Stuti?
The Navadurga stotram comprises of nine/ten verses, with each verse describing one aspect of the nine-formed goddess.
Quoting from the document hosted by Sanskritdocuments
नवदुर्गास्तोत्रम्
। देवी ...
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What's the story of goddess Khīr Bhavānī / Kheer Bhawani (खीर भवानी) of Kashmir?
Khīr Bhavānī (खीर भवानी, क्षीर भवानी या राज्ञा देवी ), literally means - ‘‘Goddess who
eats khīr,’’ or rice pudding, is a very popular deity in the Kashmir regions of India, whose temple stands on an ...
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