Shakti

Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; lit. "Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability"^[1]) is the fundamental esoteric energy that underlies and sustains all existence. In Hindu theology, Shakti is the energizing power of Hindu gods. It is conceived of as feminine in nature and is personified generally as the wife of a particular Hindu god, especially of Shiva.

Shakti, as prakriti (nature) is believed to had brought the primal male (purusha) into being. The feminine Shakti comes into being as part of the "lila" (divine play) with the masculine (Shiva), who is considered passive complementary to the all-powerful active feminine. Shiva being "nonactivated Eternity", while shakti "activated Time". "Shiva without Shakti is but a corpse, it is said." In Jungian psychological view, the concept of Anima/animus that animates all humans, is considered the "spiritual equivalent" of Shakti.

The concept of the absolute Brahman in Hinduism is considered the same as Shakti, it is said "Brahman is static Shakti and Shakti is dynamic Brahman." In the Smarta tradition of Hinduism, Shakti as Adi shakti, is one of five equal forms of God, which was advocated by Adi shankara to promote domestic worship and unity amongst the diverse Hindu philosophies.