Shakti

In Vedic philosophy, Shakti (शक्ति) is the divine energy that powers creation, sustenance, and transformation. People frequently regard Shakti as a feminine principle and the dynamic field that drives the universe's evolution. Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Lord, possesses both spiritual and material energies. We further classify these energies to better understand cosmic functions and the relationship between the divine and creation.

Types of Shakti

Nārāyaṇa's energies are divided into three main categories:

1. Antaranga Shakti (अंतरंग शक्ति): Internal Spiritual Energy.

2. Tathastha Shakti (तथस्थ शक्ति): Marginal Spiritual Energy.

3. Bahiranga Shakti (बहिरंग शक्ति): External Material Energy

These energies each play a unique role in the universe, interacting to shape both the material and spiritual realms.

Antaranga Shakti,(अंतरंग शक्ति) the internal spiritual energy

Antaranga Shakti, or Parā Shakti (परा शक्ति), is the Supreme Lord's pure and concentrated spiritual energy. We compare it to the intense light near a lamp's source, symbolizing the most direct connection to the divine. Antaranga Shakti possesses three attributes:

1. Hlādinī Shakti (ह्लादिनी शक्ति), also known as Neela Shakti (नील शक्ति), represents the Supreme's bliss and is linked to Sadāśiva (सदाशिव).

2. Sandhinī Shakti (संधिनी शक्ति): Also known as Śrī Shakti (श्री शक्ति) or the existential potency, this aspect is related to the sustaining energy of Mahā Viṣṇu (महाविष्णु).

3. Samvit Shakti (संवित शक्ति): Also known as Bhū Shakti (भू शक्ति) or the cognitive potency, this energy is associated with knowledge and cognition and is linked to Param Brahma (परम ब्रह्म).

The Tri-Pāda-Vibhuti, or "three quarters" of the Supreme Lord, represents imperceptible spiritual dimensions as described in the Padma Purāṇa.

Tathastha Shakti,(तथस्थ शक्ति) The Marginal Energy

Tathastha Shakti exists at the boundary of internal spiritual energy and external material energy. It is analogous to the light just outside the glass of a lamp, retaining a spiritual quality but lacking the intensity of Antaranga Shakti. Tathastha Shakti is the energy that represents the possibility of both spiritual and physical existence.

Vāsudeva (वासुदेव), a form of Nārāyaṇa, interacts with Tathastha Shakti and can manifest in two ways:

1. Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu (क्षीरोदकशायी): This form, representing the Paramātmā (परमात्मा), or Universal Soul, represents the pure essence of existence. It is often depicted as resting on an ocean of milk, symbolizing pure Sattva Guna (सत्त्वगुण).

   
   

2. Jīvātmā (जीवात्मा) represents the individual soul, similar to the different colors of visible light emitted from a white light source. Although the Jīvātmā is powered by Paramātmā, it differs in its scope and experiences.

Bahiranga Shakti, (बहिरंग शक्ति) or External Material Energy

Bahiranga Shakti is the external energy that powers the material world and creation. It is similar to the light that illuminates objects outside the bulb, making them visible. Bahiranga Shakti, in collaboration with Vāsudeva, works as Śrī Shakti, Bhū Shakti, and Neela Shakti to fuel creativity.

The Relationship of Paramātmā and Jīvātmā

The individual soul (Jīvātmā) is like a droplet of water that has evaporated from a boiling pot. Once separated, it begins to believe in its own existence and lose sight of its origins. Individual souls living in the material world often perceive themselves as separate from the Supreme, the Paramātmā. However, the most direct contact between the individual soul and the Supreme occurs within the heart, also known as the Lotus of the Heart.

Summary

Shakti is a central concept in Vedic thought, representing the various manifestations of divine energy that shape and sustain the universe. Antaranga Shakti, Tathastha Shakti, and Bahiranga Shakti discuss the spiritual and material aspects of existence, emphasizing how divine energy manifests in various ways. Understanding the various types of shakti provides insight into cosmic functions and the profound connection between the divine, the universe, and individual souls.

Om Tat Sat