Shakta Discussion

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

Since there has been interest expressed, I am starting this thread for
the purpose of deeper exploration and discussion of the Shakta path.

First, why am I a Shakta? The answer will be different for everyone,
but for myself, it was a process; a youth of pressing for the underlying
truth of various schools of thought had left me with an unsatisfied agnosticism-
I knew there was something more, but had exhausted what I believed at the time
to be all avenues of inquiry, finding nothing but tautologies or "just because"
waiting at the end of many paths; or belief systems so divorced from
experiential reality, that to entertain them for more than a moment was
impossible for me. Only after this point was reached was there enough inner
silence for Devi's call to be heard; it was like returning home after years of
travel. The more I have learned, the more harmonious and beautiful life has
become, whatever external circumstances have occurred in the years since.

After asking for guidance on what might be said here, it was indicated to me
that sharing the three certain forms of Devi that have been the focus of
contemplation most recently might be beneficial, and prompt further discussion.

These three are:
1) Kushmanda Devi
2) Bhuvaneshwari Devi
3) Bhima Devi

My fellow Shaktas, what might lie under the surface here? I await your replies

JAI MATA DI

 

[Aupmanyav]

The mother, the final refuge of anyone in trouble, give her whatever name or form you like.

 

[Kalidas]

Namaste,

Since there has been interest expressed, I am starting this thread for
the purpose of deeper exploration and discussion of the Shakta path.

First, why am I a Shakta? The answer will be different for everyone,
but for myself, it was a process; a youth of pressing for the underlying
truth of various schools of thought had left me with an unsatisfied agnosticism-
I knew there was something more, but had exhausted what I believed at the time
to be all avenues of inquiry, finding nothing but tautologies or "just because"
waiting at the end of many paths; or belief systems so divorced from
experiential reality, that to entertain them for more than a moment was
impossible for me. Only after this point was reached was there enough inner
silence for Devi's call to be heard; it was like returning home after years of
travel. The more I have learned, the more harmonious and beautiful life has
become, whatever external circumstances have occurred in the years since.

After asking for guidance on what might be said here, it was indicated to me
that sharing the three certain forms of Devi that have been the focus of
contemplation most recently might be beneficial, and prompt further discussion.

These three are:
1) Kushmanda Devi
2) Bhuvaneshwari Devi
3) Bhima Devi

My fellow Shaktas, what might lie under the surface here? I await your replies

JAI MATA DI

YAY! Well I haven't always been a Hindu but I have been now for roughly 3 years and really only a year of that (this last year) has been filled with earnest worships and living.

I have always been very attracted to the call of Kali, but it wasn't till the first day I bent my knees before an image of her one morning and prayed that I truly saw the beauty. I asked a simple question, to know God as I had as youth. As a child I was quite Religious and pious if I might add, begging my parents to go to church when they didn't even want to go.

Things are different now,and yet some how oddly similar. I no longer am a Christian afraid of God, but rather in love with a Mother. Throughout the day I am a man I work, I go to college, I care for my family, I do many of the things a Man should do. Before Maa though I am a child again, so full of wonder, curiosity, and unbound love. As a child it was then I felt closest to God, who would have guessed to have that feeling again one just had to go back and become a youth again?

So here I am a child unto Kali. Some people are afraid of her "ghastly" looks, blood on her mouth, nakedness of her body, blade in hand, head in the other, Heads adorn her neck, severed arms girdle her waist like a skirt. Yet I see her for the beautiful loving mother she truly is. Not all can see this, and that's okay because it is not their journey. Yet it is mine, and I am glad she chose to adopt me.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste All!

And thank you JMD for starting this thread.

I have been a practicing Hindu for 2 years now but have really only identified as a Shakta for the last 6 months. I always felt a kinship with Maa Lakshmi from the beginning but because I was new I didn't want to adopt any more specific labels until I understood more.

I will admit that Devi worship as it is different from Vishnu or Shiva worship is still not quite clear to me. But maybe that distinction will come with time.

I don't know why Lakshmi has become the object of my devotion. I would have thought that as an artist, Saraswati would have called me. But this may just be evidence that one must look deeper then the symbolic representation of a deity to find the connection.

At first I was a little nervous about it, because "on the surface" most people (even Hindus) consult Lakshmi or think of Lakshmi when they need financial help, or want material success. In the Christian home I grew up in it was "sinful" to want to be and have more that what you have. Gross materialism was...well gross. But I actually saw Lakshmi's deeper message. "There is always enough, as long as it is shared." Lakshmi is about abundance and spreading that abundance. If one hoards the wealth (material, spiritual etc) for oneself, if become sour and rotten. If it is shared, those that have nothing now have something, and those that already have something, can pass it on further. Also, in Lakshmi there is a wealth of compassion and patience. (And goodness know I need both many days) I personally am not in need of material wealth, as I am one of the lucky few who lives well in this world on a material level, but what I do need (and love) is the reminder to share it. Whether is be my time, energy or money.

On the flip side, so I often am guilty of feeling intimidated by Devi's fierce forms, I realized a while back that, that's the point. When you are having great difficulties in life - when the enemy of ego, your greed, selfishness, anger, is consuming you - you want a warrior at your side, kicking *** and taking names. You want a force to be reckoned with, forging ahead with your best interests at heart.

I am a soul in need of comfort sometimes though - and for that I seek the calming yet powerful shelter that is Maa Lakshmi. I know one is not "supposed" to visualize in true meditation, but I still do it sometimes. I imagine I'm outside at night, seated by a fire across of Lakshmi.

:camp:

 

[ShivaFan]

What an inspiring post! I took the liberty of delving into each of the Goddess you Named. It was a very enjoyable exercise of bhakti to contemplate Each.

But really, I wanted to respond in particular to Kushmanda Devi.

I learned that Kushmanda is the Devi known as Parvati living inside the Center of Surya the Sun. I recall the old song, "The One Who Stands behind the Sun" as the hidden Lord, but not the One Who Stands in the Center of the Sun as the hidden Queen. I see She controls the Solar Systems since She created the Energy and their spirit with Her smile! A smile exposes happiness, thus the Solar Systems also reflect this happiness and are born of joy.

So what grabbed my attention was regarding Her and pumpkins and squash, which immediately reminded me of something you might find interesting.

I found that She loves to be offered a pumpkin, and this immediately reminded me that in Kashi there is a Kund or sacred pond (surrounded by 3 sides of steep steps) known as the Kund of "The Trembling Sun" (one of the Adityas), Whose "Heart Trembled" upon first seeing the Holy City of Shiva (Kashi), thus this Holy Kund is called Lolarka Kund.

The Kund is 50 feet below ground level. This location is also known as the site of "The Sword" which is the Guardian of the Southern Gate of Kashi (the sword held in one of Her 8 arms), and I tell you this because at this Kund each year is a Mela Fair, Lolark Shashthi, where there comes devotees who offer pumpkin and squash to the Aditya for hopes of children.

Now I find it interesting, a connection there, that this Devi is the One living in the center of Surya, and here at one of the most ancient tirthas to Surya in Kashi we also have pumpkins and squash as the offering.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Aupmanyav]

I am closest to Parvati, the universal mother, and Sita (of course, I am an ... You can say culturally).

 

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

Thank you to all who replied- being truthful about one's human fallibility can
only be positive to progress, and it is good to see no one too afraid to be
honest... thanks also to ShivaFan for "taking the bait" as it were, and for sharing
this connection here.

Here is another connection, for those willing to explore further:

Kushmanda Devi is the 4th form of the 9 Durgas

Bhuvaneshwari Devi is the 4th of the 10 Mahavidyas

Bhima Devi is the 4th manifestation of Devi
for protection of the world in Ch. 11 (and Murti Rahasyam) of the Devi Mahatmyam

Now a seemingly bizarre, yet highly relevant facet to add:

The Tin Woodman of Oz. Proper investigation and contemplation will make this clear.

Long before L. Frank Baum, there was Parashurama and his axe-
who was driven to slay with it every last adharmic kshatriya on earth.
Only after then setting it aside, could he receive the Tripura Rahasya from Dattatreya.

I was driven to ruthlessly chop down every last system of belief to contain untruth
from my mind; only after setting my axe of intellect aside, could I receive Devi's grace.

My sincere thanks for allowing me to share here what is "close to my heart"

JAI MATA DI

 

[Jainarayan]

We have Kanyaka Parameshwari and Ambika enshrined at the temple. I think some (many?) people think of Lakshmi, Kali, Parvati, Durga, Ambika, Saraswati, Rajarajeshwari, and other forms of Goddess as separate. But I don't. I think they are aspects or personalities of one Goddess. I'm really fond of this picture, which I think sums it up. I have it framed on a wall at home, and a small one on my desk at work.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

For me, each form has a slightly different energy. That being said, if I am keeping my thought on Lakshmi but need her to abandon her soothing nature for a moment because I am need of strength, I think of Durga and the energy associated with that comes through Lakshmi.

I am still only familiar with the most well known forms of the Goddess, but I would love to know more about the other forms. For a while Rajarajeshwari drew me in and sometimes she still does. I should really find more information on her. There is a temple to her in Rush, NY, just at the US/Canadian border and I've wanted to go for a long time.

:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

For me, each form has a slightly different energy. That being said, if I am keeping my thought on Lakshmi but need her to abandon her soothing nature for a moment because I am need of strength, I think of Durga and the energy associated with that comes through Lakshmi.

Yeah! That's what I mean! Thanks for wording it that way. She has a mother's personality and responses magnified 10^10^100 depending on the situation.

 

[Sb1995]

I am closest to Saraswatimata and Lakshmimata

 

[Kalidas]

For me, each form has a slightly different energy. That being said, if I am keeping my thought on Lakshmi but need her to abandon her soothing nature for a moment because I am need of strength, I think of Durga and the energy associated with that comes through Lakshmi.

I am still only familiar with the most well known forms of the Goddess, but I would love to know more about the other forms. For a while Rajarajeshwari drew me in and sometimes she still does. I should really find more information on her. There is a temple to her in Rush, NY, just at the US/Canadian border and I've wanted to go for a long time.

:camp:

What a wonderful thing to do!

I don't know I'm odd. I pretty much just get it all through Kali. To me she is both benevolent and aggressive.

I think one day I will branch out and include different forms into my worship

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Here's something to chew on. Does anyone have any thoughts as to why some forms of Shakti "stand alone" and why some are always side by side with their masculine counterpart? OR, why sometimes a goddess with a consort is depicted alone anyway?

Lakshmi is said to reside in the heart of Vishnu and there are depictions of Lord Venkateshwara that show this. The Balaji murti at my local temple has a small silver Lakshmi residing in his chest.

Saraswati - though often times said to be the consort of Brahma, is almost always depicted alone. (In fact I can't think of a single image where she is residing next to a depiction of Brahma...maybe someone knows one one they can share.)

:camp:

 

[Kalidas]

Here's something to chew on. Does anyone have any thoughts as to why some forms of Shakti "stand alone" and why some are always side by side with their masculine counterpart? OR, why sometimes a goddess with a consort is depicted alone anyway?

Lakshmi is said to reside in the heart of Vishnu and there are depictions of Lord Venkateshwara that show this. The Balaji murti at my local temple has a small silver Lakshmi residing in his chest.

Saraswati - though often times said to be the consort of Brahma, is almost always depicted alone. (In fact I can't think of a single image where she is residing next to a depiction of Brahma...maybe someone knows one one they can share.)

:camp:

I never thought about this, another example is Kali ir almost always shown standing on top of Shiva.

Maybe it's symbolic?

 

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

It may be of interest to note that there are Shaktas and sampradayas that consider
the form of Mahalakshmi to be the Supreme Personality, just as there
are those who consider the form of Mahakali to be so.. therefore, FSH and
Kalidas should not feel unusual if they feel more drawn to Lakshmi or Kali than
other forms of Devi.

In regards to FSH's curiosity about forms of Devi shown without consorts, this can
reflect on the nature of the form, or it can also reflect on the nature of the sampradaya
responsible for the depiction; since a Shakta perspective is one which focuses on
Devi, the various murtis can reflect this, the way a Shaiva or Vaisnava murti might
not depict Parvati or Lakshmi.. this does not necessarily imply their absence or
unimportance, it only reflects where the primary focus of the devotee's bhakti and
contemplation should be, in accordance with that murti's context.

FSH, please do visit the mandir in Rush, NY- from what I have read of your posts, I
believe you would find the energy and people there most strong and welcoming.
I am glad to know Devi in the form of Rajarajeswari has called you at times-
there is a fair amount of information available online, only be prudent in what might
be reliable, of course- the Peetham in Rush would be best to learn more.

Kalidas, yes- most certainly it is symbolic, and there are three layers to the symbolism.
I ask that you explore this, and ask Maa to help you understand the shades of meaning;
please share your thoughts after further investigation. One interesting connection
with the most common explanation for this depiction is that of an ancient Egyptian
story, "Sekhmet and the Destruction of Mankind". The connection will be clear after
further study.

My thanks also to Jainarayan ( a lovely image indeed), Aup, and Sb1995 for sharing here.

JAI MATA DI

 

[Aupmanyav]

Saraswati - though often times said to be the consort of Brahma, is almost always depicted alone. (In fact I can't think of a single image where she is residing next to a depiction of Brahma...maybe someone knows one one they can share.)

That is an unclear relationship. Lord Brahma's spouse is Brahmāni. "In Hinduism, Brahmani (also known as Brahmi and Brahmayi) is a kind and benevolent aspect of Devi, the Divine mother. Brahmani is associated with the Hindu creator god, Brahma as His Shakti (power). She is one of the seven Mother Goddesses called Matrikas. She is an aspect of such MahaSaraswati. An aspect of Adi Shakti, possessing the Rajasi Guna and hence is the source of Brahma's power." Brahmani - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Kalidas]

Namaste,

It may be of interest to note that there are Shaktas and sampradayas that consider
the form of Mahalakshmi to be the Supreme Personality, just as there
are those who consider the form of Mahakali to be so.. therefore, FSH and
Kalidas should not feel unusual if they feel more drawn to Lakshmi or Kali than
other forms of Devi.

In regards to FSH's curiosity about forms of Devi shown without consorts, this can
reflect on the nature of the form, or it can also reflect on the nature of the sampradaya
responsible for the depiction; since a Shakta perspective is one which focuses on
Devi, the various murtis can reflect this, the way a Shaiva or Vaisnava murti might
not depict Parvati or Lakshmi.. this does not necessarily imply their absence or
unimportance, it only reflects where the primary focus of the devotee's bhakti and
contemplation should be, in accordance with that murti's context.

FSH, please do visit the mandir in Rush, NY- from what I have read of your posts, I
believe you would find the energy and people there most strong and welcoming.
I am glad to know Devi in the form of Rajarajeswari has called you at times-
there is a fair amount of information available online, only be prudent in what might
be reliable, of course- the Peetham in Rush would be best to learn more.

Kalidas, yes- most certainly it is symbolic, and there are three layers to the symbolism.
I ask that you explore this, and ask Maa to help you understand the shades of meaning;
please share your thoughts after further investigation. One interesting connection
with the most common explanation for this depiction is that of an ancient Egyptian
story, "Sekhmet and the Destruction of Mankind". The connection will be clear after
further study.

My thanks also to Jainarayan ( a lovely image indeed), Aup, and Sb1995 for sharing here.

JAI MATA DI

Well I know of one of them. I know it represents that without her Shiva is inert ie without actions. But the others I am unsure of. Thanks fir the research "assignment" I love doing research!

Odd question you mention samprdayas that view Kali as the ultimate reality and thus I shouldnt feel "unusual" (thank you). Can you point me towards one such group?

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Odd question you mention samprdayas that view Kali as the ultimate reality and thus I shouldnt feel "unusual" (thank you). Can you point me towards one such group?

Yes, I was wondering this as well!
And thank you for your detailed reply, JMD!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Odd question you mention samprdayas that view Kali as the ultimate reality and thus I shouldnt feel "unusual" (thank you). Can you point me towards one such group?

Many Bengalis (Durga), Tamils (Adi Shakti), Gujaratis (Amba Mata), Rajputs (Warrior clans), and others. For them Durga or one of its forms is the ultimate power in the universe. Even the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi is supposed to be a devotee of 'Amba Mata'. They may not belong to any particular sampradaya and are main-line Hindus. The former royal families of Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur and many more worship Devi.

Ambe Mata Ambaji - YouTube

 

[Kalidas]

Yes, I was wondering this as well!
And thank you for your detailed reply, JMD!

Yeah I was considering including you (since I know you and I both suffer from similar issues) but I didn't want to place into a question you may or may not want to be a part of.