Question on the Devi Gita and Shaktism in general!

[DanielR]

Hi, I've been interested in Advaita for a few years now, but I recently noticed I miss the God aspect with this philosophy , and I'm kinda fascinated by Sakti in all her manifestiations.

What I wanted to know is if the Devi Gita is the main work in Shaktism?? What are the other works, I guess one would be the Devi Mahamya?

And, I own a copy of the Devi Gita, it was hard to find one lol, I'm wondering if the Devi Gita is dualistic in nature, I'm not really sure, there are a lot of Advaita references which makes me think it is nondual, I know that Saktism is nondual but I'm not sure about the Devi Gita. Is the Devi considered distinct from the jivas??

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Hi, I've been interested in Advaita for a few years now, but I recently noticed I miss the God aspect with this philosophy , and I'm kinda fascinated by Sakti in all her manifestiations.

What I wanted to know is if the Devi Gita is the main work in Shaktism?? What are the other works, I guess one would be the Devi Mahamya?

And, I own a copy of the Devi Gita, it was hard to find one lol, I'm wondering if the Devi Gita is dualistic in nature, I'm not really sure, there are a lot of Advaita references which makes me think it is nondual, I know that Saktism is nondual but I'm not sure about the Devi Gita. Is the Devi considered distinct from the jivas??

The Devi Gita is from the Devi Bhagavatam. Which is a very important scripture in Shaktism. I read this Gita every few months. It is nondual. The Devi at one point says. "I am Indivisible (Infinite); all is Me. Wisdom is not the Dharma of the Soul,it is the intrinsic nature of the Soul." -Devi Gita 4:19

The Chandi or Devi Mahamya is also maybe the most used scripture for Shaktas. It is a Sadhana scripture some people chant the whole text it every day.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

For nondual Shakta scriptures you should read this.

TRIPURA RAHASYA. Chapters I - XV of XXII

Tripura Rahasya was considered by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi as one of the greatest works that expounded advaita philosophy. The Philosophy of the Tripura Rahasya is Shakta in nature.

 

[DanielR]

Thank you Wannabe Yogi

 

[DanielR]

Is Bhuvanesvari really the highest manifestation, is it higher then let's say Kali? Kali is quite famous

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Is Bhuvanesvari really the highest manifestation, is it higher then let's say Kali? Kali is quite famous

All the Devi's are one in the same, the Ishta you choose to worship is the Highest, what ever Image you like best.

The Adya Stotram talks about how all the Devi's are different forms of Kali.

In the 1000 names of Lalita one of Her names is Kamesvari (the Supreme Goddess of desires) That is a name for Kali in her 1000 names along with the name Padma, which is a name for Laksmi, in her 1000 names. All the different manifestations of the Goddess are really one.

 

[DanielR]

Thank you , I appreciate your help

 

[DanielR]

Oh, I'm sorry I do have one last question, Tantra texts are also part of Shaktsm, right? I own the Mahanirvana Tantra by Arthur Avalon, was this a good choice, it was the only book available on Tantra and on Shaktism!

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Oh, I'm sorry I do have one last question, Tantra texts are also part of Shaktsm, right? I own the Mahanirvana Tantra by Arthur Avalon, was this a good choice, it was the only book available on Tantra and on Shaktism!

Great Choice !!!! Arthur Avalon was a respected Tantric Practitioner. The Intro to this book is a great intro to Tantra. It can be hard to read because it was written around 100 years ago.

Not all Tantric's worship the Goddess and not all who worship the Devi follow Tantra. In fact the Mahanirvana Tantra was my introduction to Tantra. I took a class on it at a Shakta temple some years ago. Great place to start.

 

[DanielR]

Thanks, you've been very helpful

 

[Yogi1054]

Tantra can be found in all main schools of Hinduism today Vashnava, Shvite and Shakta - all have a very close outlook.