Shiva Shakti - Part 10

Who created Adi Shakti (is it Shiva who has no birth and death)? If there is only one Paramatma in the world, then how will it be two Shiva and Shakti?

Ok so this question is basically of Shaivism and touching the edges of Shaktism. However I will answer it on the basis of Shaivism and that also Agamic (Tantric) Shaivism.

Shiva and Shakti are worshiped together and not differently.

Shiva and Shakti are not two but one. Shiva Shakti are inseparable. In the Tantric cosmology, the whole universe is perceived as being created, penetrated and sustained by two fundamental forces, which are permanently in a perfect, indestructible union. These forces or universal aspects are called Shiva and Shakti.

There are many aspects, forms and names of shakti who is the mother of all. In creation she distinguishes herself and through the will of Shiva, into three basic aspects:

1. para-shakti (transcendental energy),
2. apara-shakti (immanent energy) and
3. para-apara-shakti ( an intermediary energy).

In the texts of Shaivism we also find a reference to five supernatural powers of Shakti. Their permutation, combination, concealment and manifestation is believed to be responsible for the multiplicity, plurality, diversity and duality of the beings and objects and their forms and shapes in the manifested worlds. The five aspects of shakti manifested by Shiva are:

1. chit-shakti or the power of consciousness,
2. anada-shakti or the power of bliss consciousness,
3. iccha-shakti, the power of desire or will,
4. kriya-shakti the power of action and
5. jnana-shakti or the power of knowledge

ShivaShakti unleashes these five powers in the beginning of creation and withdraws them back into them at the time of dissolution. In between he employs these energies for the purposes of creation (srishti), preservation (sthithi), samhara (destruction or modification), concealment (tirobhava) and revelation (anugraha).

Shiva is the one who does things but the one who allows him to do is his Shakti.

As Shakti takes different avatars or forms, she forgets her energy and then Shiva comes in every birth or avatar of Shakti and marries her and awakens her power.

Shiva is their with Shakti in her every forms. Like Mahakaali with Mahakaala, Lalitha with Kaameshwara, TripuraBhairavi with TripuraBhairava (Dakshinamoorthy) , Durga/Uma with Shiva.

In even in Shivalingam, we worship Shiva and Shakti both. The 2 parts of the Shiva lingam are called Para Shiva and Para Shakti. The word Para means who is above. Basically the Shiva lingam says that Lord Shiva and Shakti are above time and dimensions.

Shiva and Sakti are one. Sakti Tattva and Shiva Tattva are inseparable. Shiva is always with Sakti. There are thirtysix Tattvas, in Sakti philosophy. Sakti is in Sakti Tattva, Nada in Sadakhya Tattva, Bindu in Isvara Tattva. The creative aspect of the Supreme Shiva is called Shiva Tattva. Shiva Tattva is the first creative movement. Sakti Tattva is the will of Shiva. It is the seed and womb of the entire world.

Nishkala Shiva is Nirguna Shiva. He is not connected with the creative Sakti. This state of Shiva is Shakti within Shiva or Shiva within Shakti and is niraakar and nishkriya. Then for creation Shiva becomes Sakala Shiva and is associated with the creative Sakti. Maya or Prakriti is within the womb of Sakti. Maya is the matrix of the world.

Maya is potential in the state of dissolution. She is dynamic in creation. Maya evolves into the several material elements and other physical parts of all sentient creatures under the direction of Sakti.

There are thirtysix Tattvas in Sakti philosophy. In Sakti philosophy we have Brahman, Sakti, Nada, Bindu and Suddhamaya. In Saiva Siddhanta philosophy we have Shiva, Sakti, Sadakhya and the Suddhamaya. The rest of the evolution in Sakti philosophy is the same as in Saiva Siddhanta philosophy.

Devi is Sakti of Lord Shiva. She is Jada Sakti and Chit Sakti. She is Iccha Sakti, Kriya Sakti and Jnana Sakti. She is Maya Sakti. Sakti is Prakriti, Maya, Mahamaya, Sri Vidya. Sakti is Brahman itself. She is Lalita, Kundalini, Rajesvari, Tripurasundari, Sati and Parvati. Sati manifested to Lord Shiva in the ten forms as the Dasa Maha Vidyas, viz., Kali, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Matangi, Shodasi, Dhumavati, Tripurasundari, Tara and Bhairavi.

Scriptures say that Shakti is power of Lord Shiva who is Brahman himself. Knowledge of Sakti leads to salvation. “Saktijnanam vina devi nirvanam naiva jayate—O Devi without the knowledge of Sakti, Mukti cannot be attained” (Shiva says to Shakti).

Their dance (Lasya-Tandava) is the eternal source of all creation.

The Devi-Sukta of the Rig-Veda, the Sri-Sukta, Durga-Sukta, Bhu-Sukta and Nila-Sukta, and the specific Sakta Upanishads such as Tripuratapini Upanishad, Sitopanishad, Devi Upanishad, Saubhagya-Upanishad, Sarasvati Upanishad, Bhavanopanishad, Bhavrichopanishad, etc., emphatically declare about the Mother-aspect of God. The Kena Upanishad also speaks of Uma (Haimavati) who imparted wisdom of the Self to Indra and the Devas.

Shiva himself says that without Shakti, Shiva is just Shava.

So basically they are same and one. No one created her. She is Anta (ending) and she is Arammbha (starting).

I hope I have answer the Question.

Thank you !!!!!

Jay Jagdambike Vishwanatha !!!!!!!