is shaktism synonymous with shaktism?

[Guest guest]

Shákti or the Supreme Mother of all is certainly a central aspect in

Tantricism. However, Tantricism is not synonymous with Shaktism.

 

Shákti or the Divine Mother is by far the most important deity in

Tantricism. She is the core of all tantric practices. She is known as

Kundalinii when residing in a living being. She is the bestower of

the Supreme Bliss for all those followers that worship Her according

to the sacred rituals and meditations contained in the Tántra-s. Her

importance has been emphasized in Niruttaratantra:

 

 

Bahuunam janmanaamante shaktijñaanam prajaayate /

 

Shaktijñaanam vinaa devi nirvaanam naiva jaayate //

 

After (ante) many (bahuunaam) births (janmanaam), the knowledge

(jñaanam) of Shákti (shákti) is born (in oneself) (prajaayate). Oh

goddess (devi)!, without (vinaa) the knowledge (jñaanam) of Shákti

(shákti), Nirvaana --final Liberation-- (nirvaanam) does not (ná evá)

spring up (jaayate).

 

However, Tantricism should not be "strictly" equated to Shaktism,

because there are groups of Shaakta-s (followers of Shákti) which are

not "tantric" at all. In turn, there are tantric groups that worship

Shivá, Vísnu, etc. as well as Shákti. This is a common

misunderstanding which results in more ignorance and confusion,

obviously.

 

hope this clears up the misunderstanding that exists among bhaktas

that being a tantrik means one is necessarily a follower of shakti or

if one is a shakta he is necessarily a tantrik.

 

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