The divine feminine: Shakti. In this way, the primordial cosmic energy shows itself in its dynamic potency as Shakti, which opposes all kinds of creation, preservation, or dissolution. One could perhaps come to see with this concept that people who wish to understand and integrate Hinduism and its customs absolutely need to value the Divine Feminine.  

It's Shakti

While translating "power" or "energy" into Sanskrit, Shakti is the female partner to the male aspect (Shiva). As Shiva enjoys pure consciousness, Shakti activates his energy for creating the universe. As the Devi Mahatmyam sums it up fairly nicely, "By you this universe is borne, by you this world is created. By you it is protected, O Goddess, and you always consume it at the end." A non-dual perspective explains Hinduism. In fact, the two seemingly opposite forces are complementary aspects of one ultimate reality. As stated in Shiva Purana, "Without Shakti, Shiva is, as it is said, powerless" (Rudra Samhita 1.16.59). This clearly states the consciousness must have energy to manifest creation. 

Forms of the Divine Mother Shakti manifests in diverse ways, each manifestation representing one form of feminine power:  

Durga: The warrior goddess protects from evil. Devi Mahatmyam declares (11.38): "You are the supreme knowledge, cause of liberation". 

Kali, goddess of time, change, and devastation. "the Night of Eternity" is how the Mahanirvana Tantra mentions her. 4: 30. 

Lakshmi: Goddess of prosperity and abundance. The Sri Sukta of the Rig Veda (verse 4) invokes her: "We meditate on that Lakshmi who is the fulfiller of all desires." 

Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and arts. The Matsya Purana shines her as Lat: "the embodiment of all learning" (2.13). 

Shakti Worship in Practice 

However, there are many ways the person who is interested in other traditions as well can connect with Shakti: Meditation: 

The Kularnava Tantra (5.109) suggests one should "Meditate on the Mother Goddess in the thousand-petaled lotus at the crown of brilliant lightning." For calling the divine feminine energy, mantras: in the Devi Upanishad include the strong Navakshari mantra: "Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundaye Vichche". 

Navratri, nine nights holy to the Goddess, celebrates devotional Shakti worship, when followers recite the Devi Mahatmyam, engage in spiritual rituals, etc. 

Philosophical Understanding 

Shakti is more than mythology. In fact, it is very deep philosophy. Indeed, divine energy is the manifestation of the universe (Tripura Rahasya 15.59). In this view material things should not be taken away from spirituality, but rather considered another divine manifestation in the whole space and time. Goddess herself proclaims in Devi Gita (4.40): "I am that essence of everything. Nothing moving or unmoving may exist without me." 

Contemporary Meaning 

To understand Shakti in modernity means to recognize the divine, feminine energy within—and around us. The Tantric tradition insists on the fact that in every individual, regardless of sex, resides this energy. According to Saundarya Lahari (verse 1): "Only united with Shakti, does Shiva become capable of creating." 

Connecting with Shakti for a potent seeker of spirituality is a good way of entering wholeness-that includes balance between the masculine and feminine energy within ourselves, there is also honoring women as the divine manifestation, and recognizing the sacred within the secular. The 

Devi Bhagavatam (7.33.13) holds that all wishes will be met and finally release reached for those who venerate the Mother of the Universe with devotion. Celebrating the creative, nurturing, and transforming force permeating all of life itself, one assumes a basic part of Hindu spirituality by learning and venerating Shakti.