Adishakti, Ādiśakti, Adi-shakti: 9 definitions

Introduction:

Adishakti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Ādiśakti can be transliterated into English as Adisakti or Adishakti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu Iconograpy

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति):—Second of the five Śakti to evolve, at saṃhāra (the end of an aeonic destruction). It is also known as Śāntiśakti, beause it destroys mala maga and karma. It evolved out of a thousandth part of the Parāśakti. The next Śakti to evolve, out of a thousandth part of this Ādiśakti, is called the Ichchhāśakti.

Shilpashastra book cover
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Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Shaivism glossary
Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति) refers to one of the Śaktis emanting from a thousandth part of Parāśakti.—For the benefit of the world Śiva conceives a spontaneous idea, which results in the manifestation of śakti from his one-thousandth part. Then comes Parā-śakti, Ādi-śakti, Icchā-śakti and Kriyā-śakti, each succeeding from the 1/1000 part of the preceeding one. Śānti is another name for Ādiśakti from whose 1/1000 part is the source of the formless. This is so called Ādiśakti because it is without form, Amūrta is interpreted as that which has no Kalā. It is the Divyaliṅga, known as the Mūlastambha, the principal column. The whole universe comes out of the Liṅga and is again submerged in to it.

Shaivism book cover
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Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति) refers to the “primordial energy”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.14 (“The Birth of Tāraka and Vajrāṅga”).—Accordingly, as Nārada said to Brahmā: “[...] How did Śivā perform the severe penance for the sake of happiness? How did the primordial energy [i.e., ādiśakti] who is greater than the universe secure Śiva as her husband? O great scholar, narrate all these complete in every detail to me, your son, who has dedicated his soul to Śiva and who has developed full faith in Him”.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति) refers to the “first and foremost energy”, according to the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—In the Ṣaṭsāhasrasaṃhitā we find an exposition of a form of Sadāśiva with seven faces from which the Kaula schools originate in general and the Kubjikā tradition in particular. [...] Above them all is the power of the uppermost, Unborn Face of Tūṣṇīnātha (the Silent Lord). He is Kujeśa the lord of the Kubjikā tradition. He possesses the first and foremost energy (ādiśakti) from which the energies of the other faces proceed.

Shaktism book cover
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Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Yoga (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Yoga glossary
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति) refers to the “the primal power” and is used to describe Umā, according to the Amanaska Yoga treatise dealing with meditation, absorption, yogic powers and liberation.—Accordingly, as Īśvara says to Vāmadeva: “The point of focus is internal, [yet] the gaze is outward and free from closing and opening the eyes. Indeed, this is Śāmbhavī Mudrā, which is hidden in all the Tantras [...]. And Umā, the primal power (ādiśakti), was the one who formerly received this [Mudrā] from me. Now, you alone have received it because of the [accumulated] impressions [of meritorious actions] done in [your former] births. [...]”.

Yoga book cover
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Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति).—f.

1) the power of माया (māyā) or illusion.

2) an epithet of Durgā.

Derivable forms: ādiśaktiḥ (आदिशक्तिः).

Ādiśakti is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ādi and śakti (शक्ति).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ādiśakti (आदिशक्ति):—[=ādi-śakti] [from ādi] f. the primeval power, Name of Māyā, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Adishakti in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Ādiśakti (ಆದಿಶಕ್ತಿ):—[noun] the original divine power of the cosmos; the primeval spiritual energy; Goddess Durga.

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Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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