• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Shakta Discussion

Satyamavejayanti

Well-Known Member
Namaste,

To my fellow Shaktas: what would you wish others could know about your devotion to Devi?

JAI MATA DI

Namaste,

Now im just a mere Hindu, by that i mean not a real Shakta Bhakta. But for me Kali Mata supersedes the Vedas, She Surpasses the Upanishads, She overrules all Devas and Devis, She is the Mother of Vishnu, Transformation (Shiva) lies at the feet of Kali (Time), She is the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer of all existence. She cuts the threads to our Ego, She is Moksha, She is Nirvana, She, is, was, and always will be MATA JI.

Dhanyavad.
 

Fireside_Hindu

Jai Lakshmi Maa
Namaste,

To my fellow Shaktas: what would you wish others could know about your devotion to Devi?

JAI MATA DI

That our devotion to her does not mean we exclude the masculine aspects from our sadhana, but rather reframe them.

For example, I have a soft spot in my heart for Rama, but I think of him as Devi taking on a new role in order to reach me in an a different way. There is no need to separate male from female because I can call up aspects of either out of Devi, who I view as complete.

I also wish people didn't see our devotion as some kind of feminist statement. I am a feminist, but I'm not devoted to Devi because I feel repressed by masculine deities.

I wish that people didn't think that Shakta devotion is about tantric sex or dark, black magic just because people have been conditioned to be afraid of the feminine.
 

JaiMaaDurga

Member
Namaste,

I would like to invite discussion on the Mahavidyas; so much has been written about them, and how best to approach an understanding of their significance and meaning.
What say my fellow board members- what confuses you? What intrigues you?
May Devi bless us with an increase of clarity and wisdom as a result of what is shared here..

JAI MATA DI
 

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
It's My Birthday!
Namaste,

I would like to invite discussion on the Mahavidyas; so much has been written about them, and how best to approach an understanding of their significance and meaning.
What say my fellow board members- what confuses you? What intrigues you?
May Devi bless us with an increase of clarity and wisdom as a result of what is shared here..

JAI MATA DI

It's funny that you mention this right now because I've been considering posting something to ask for more information about Dhumavati Maa and just haven't done it yet. I have some basic knowledge about Her and not much else. But there is something about Her that intrigues me and draws me toward Her, and I wondered if anyone could tell me more. She is definitely not the "type" of Devi that I'm generally drawn to, and somehow, that seems to make Her even more intriguing to me.

Thank you for the timely bump, and Jai Mata Di!
 

kalyan

Aspiring Sri VaishNava
It's funny that you mention this right now because I've been considering posting something to ask for more information about Dhumavati Maa and just haven't done it yet. I have some basic knowledge about Her and not much else. But there is something about Her that intrigues me and draws me toward Her, and I wondered if anyone could tell me more. She is definitely not the "type" of Devi that I'm generally drawn to, and somehow, that seems to make Her even more intriguing to me. Thank you for the timely bump, and Jai Mata Di!
It's funny that you mention this right now because I've been considering posting something to ask for more information about Dhumavati Maa and just haven't done it yet. I have some basic knowledge about Her and not much else. But there is something about Her that intrigues me and draws me toward Her, and I wondered if anyone could tell me more. She is definitely not the "type" of Devi that I'm generally drawn to, and somehow, that seems to make Her even more intriguing to me. Thank you for the timely bump, and Jai Mata Di!
It's funny that you mention this right now because I've been considering posting something to ask for more information about Dhumavati Maa and just haven't done it yet. I have some basic knowledge about Her and not much else. But there is something about Her that intrigues me and draws me toward Her, and I wondered if anyone could tell me more. She is definitely not the "type" of Devi that I'm generally drawn to, and somehow, that seems to make Her even more intriguing to me. Thank you for the timely bump, and Jai Mata Di!

you might like this song, all devis are mostly manifestation of Parvathi devi, the wife of Siva--------This is a malayalam song even which I dont understand but its such a beautiful song......Apparently Shankara did some meditation on Kudajadri mountain and attained the glance of Devi in the form of Mookambika...

sri-adi-shankara-the-goddess.jpg
 
Last edited:

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
It's My Birthday!
Thank you, Kalyan! I don't understand it, either, but that is indeed a beautiful song. I added it to my playlist of Devi bhajans on YouTube. :)
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
"Dhumavati is said to manifest herself at the time of cosmic dissolution (pralaya) and is "the Void" that exists before creation and after dissolution. .. Dhumavati is described as a great teacher, one who reveals ultimate knowledge of the universe, which is beyond the illusory divisions, like auspicious and inauspicious. Her ugly form teaches the devotee to look beyond the superficial, to look inwards and seek the inner truths of life." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhumavati


latest
 

JaiMaaDurga

Member
Namaste,

Dhumavati also intimidates many by virtue of being known as the "Goddess Who Widows Herself"- but while the traditional view of the widow is unenviable to say the least,
there are no more duties to perform, no expectations from society that might interfere with pursuing advancement on one's spiritual path. She has no consort, Her vahana
is usually depicted to be as motionless; She is unmoving and unmovable. Her winnow shows Her gift of discernment, Her sadhak cannot be led astray or tempted by worldly affairs..
any "rose-colored glasses" are thrown far away!

After a bloody battle, it is Dhumavati's crow who is the true victor- the product of violence being the bodies of all sides.. the crow's belly is full from delusion strong enough to kill.
Dhumavati's lessons are often felt most keenly by those who have scrupulously noted and followed rules and formulas to the letter- only to find them no guarantee against failure and suffering.

Devi in the form of Dhumavati will remove illusions- including those one might not even realize they cherish!

tumblr_nqfk2f9H5D1sjjdtyo1_500.jpg

JAI MATA DI
 

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
It's My Birthday!
"Dhumavati is said to manifest herself at the time of cosmic dissolution (pralaya) and is "the Void" that exists before creation and after dissolution. .. Dhumavati is described as a great teacher, one who reveals ultimate knowledge of the universe, which is beyond the illusory divisions, like auspicious and inauspicious. Her ugly form teaches the devotee to look beyond the superficial, to look inwards and seek the inner truths of life." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhumavati


latest

Namaste,

Dhumavati also intimidates many by virtue of being known as the "Goddess Who Widows Herself"- but while the traditional view of the widow is unenviable to say the least,
there are no more duties to perform, no expectations from society that might interfere with pursuing advancement on one's spiritual path. She has no consort, Her vahana
is usually depicted to be as motionless; She is unmoving and unmovable. Her winnow shows Her gift of discernment, Her sadhak cannot be led astray or tempted by worldly affairs..
any "rose-colored glasses" are thrown far away!

After a bloody battle, it is Dhumavati's crow who is the true victor- the product of violence being the bodies of all sides.. the crow's belly is full from delusion strong enough to kill.
Dhumavati's lessons are often felt most keenly by those who have scrupulously noted and followed rules and formulas to the letter- only to find them no guarantee against failure and suffering.

Devi in the form of Dhumavati will remove illusions- including those one might not even realize they cherish!

tumblr_nqfk2f9H5D1sjjdtyo1_500.jpg

JAI MATA DI

Thank you both for your answers!

I think the widow aspect of Dhumavati is one of the things I find so intriguing. I'm single myself (by choice) and have every intention of remaining that way. And also there is something about Dhumavati that reminds me of my beloved Saraswati Maa, so there's that, too.

If anybody would like to add something else about Dhumavati or any of the other Mahavidyas, I'd love to hear it. I know very little about them and would like to remedy that.
 

DeviChaaya

Jai Ambe Gauri
Premium Member
Namaste,

Dhumavati also intimidates many by virtue of being known as the "Goddess Who Widows Herself"- but while the traditional view of the widow is unenviable to say the least,
there are no more duties to perform, no expectations from society that might interfere with pursuing advancement on one's spiritual path. She has no consort, Her vahana
is usually depicted to be as motionless; She is unmoving and unmovable. Her winnow shows Her gift of discernment, Her sadhak cannot be led astray or tempted by worldly affairs..
any "rose-colored glasses" are thrown far away!

After a bloody battle, it is Dhumavati's crow who is the true victor- the product of violence being the bodies of all sides.. the crow's belly is full from delusion strong enough to kill.
Dhumavati's lessons are often felt most keenly by those who have scrupulously noted and followed rules and formulas to the letter- only to find them no guarantee against failure and suffering.

Devi in the form of Dhumavati will remove illusions- including those one might not even realize they cherish!

tumblr_nqfk2f9H5D1sjjdtyo1_500.jpg

JAI MATA DI

Every since I found out about Dhumavati years ago She has captured my heart. I do not know what it is about this aspect of Mataji but She calls to me every Navratri. While She is often depicted as the Hag She has still managed to captivate me. She has no consort to bend to and She focuses upon helping Her devotees gain her lotus feet.

Jai Dhumavati Mataji
 

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
It's My Birthday!

StarryNightshade

Spiritually confused Jew
Premium Member
I hope on of our resident Shaktas can help me. :)

I was given Diksha by a Vadakalai Sri Vaishnava. Vadakalai are one of the few Vaishnava philosophical schools where Devi (in the form of Lakshmi) is given equal status to Narayana. In my gradual process of leaning towards Shaktism, he told me of a Pancharatra school of thought where MahaLakshmi is supreme and incarnates as Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali.

Does anyone know about this? Or have any info on it?
 
Top