Parashakti, Parāśakti, Para-shakti: 15 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
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Introduction:

Parashakti 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 Parāśakti can be transliterated into English as Parasakti or Parashakti, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: Wisdom Library: Elements of Hindu Iconograpy

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति):—First of the five Śakti to evolve, at saṃhāra (the end of an aeonic destruction). It is also known as Śāntyātītaśakti, because it is the source through which souls attain the knowledge of the sat-chit-ānanda svarūpa of Śiva. It evolved out of a thousandth part of Śiva’s self. The next Śakti to evolve, out of a thousandth part of this Parāśakti, is called the Ādiśakti.

context information

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.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) accompanies Parameśvara who is stationed in Śivālaya, as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.17. Accordingly, “[...] there in the Jñānakailāsa that has five coverings, the primary phallic from of Śiva is stationed in the company of primary energy of Śiva. It has five zones and five Brahmakalās. This is called the abode of Śiva, Śivālaya, the supreme Ātman. There alone stays Parameśvara in the company of Parāśakti. He is skilled in the performance of the five functions of creation, maintenance evanescence and blessing. His body is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss. He is always in meditation. He is ever bent on blessing. He is seated in the pose of trance. He shines resting in his own self. His vision is possible gradually through sacred rites, meditation etc. By performing the daily rites and worships, the mind is diverted towards the sacred rites of Śiva the performance whereof gives the sight of Śiva. Those who come within His vision are certainly liberated”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति).—Is Māyā;¹ worship of, to get rid of Raurava hell and of other sins.²

1) Vāyu-purāṇa 104. 33.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 7-75; 8. 57-8; 10. 90; 12. 41-66; 14. 22; 15. 46.

context information

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.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Shodhganga: Iconographical representations of Śiva

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to one of the Śaktis emanting from a thousandth part of Śiva.—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. Śāntyatīta is another name for Parāśakti. The 1/1000 part of her is Śivasādākhya. It is so called because it is pure and auspicious. It is subtle and is in the form of the light. It is the abode of all Tattvas and resembles the lightning in the sky.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to the “highest Śakti”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.20-22ab]—“[The Mantrin] should worship the mother of Mantras with the highest bhakti, by spreading flowers and perfume, O Devī. He should extract the deity invoked by the Mantra [with the mantra]. Beginning with the all-pervading and ending with manifold [oṃ], [he should] always [worship with] the nectar of the white flower. The bright sound is highest Śakti (parāśakti—jyotir dhvaniḥ parāśaktiḥ), [who] resembles one-in-the-same Śiva. By this [worship] the pearls [of the mantra] are all bound in a cord”.

context information

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to “śrī Bhagavān’s transcendental potency, which has three divisions: cit (spiritual), taṭastha (marginal) and māyā (material)”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to:—The Lord’s superior potency. See svarūpa-śakti. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

1) Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to “supreme energy” (i.e., Viṣṇu’s supreme energy—the awakened Kuṇḍalinī), according to the second recension of the Yogakhaṇḍa of the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, as Bhagavat (Viṣṇu) said to Śaṃkara: “O Śrīkaṇṭha! Great Rudra! You have come into being due to (this) drop of nectar. I am Kumārikā, Viṣṇu’s supreme energy [i.e., parāśakti], (the awakened Kuṇḍalinī whose form is like) a straight line. O foolish one, you previously committed suicide due to (your) mistaken knowledge. You did not see (that) great body (mahāpiṇḍa) in the form of a Liṅga. I, Hari's energy, Mahālakṣmī, abide in your body. O Rudra, tell me the truth. Why have you taken refuge in me?”.

2) Parāśakti (पराशक्ति) refers to “supreme energy” (i.e., that energy which the teacher causes to pierce the body of the disciple), according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, as Bhairava explains: “I will tell (you) in brief about the Command [i.e., ājñā] that gives bliss. [...] The piercing (vedha) (of the Wheels in the body) takes place in a moment by the practice of this visualization (dhyānayoga). Pervading the other body with Sound the Supreme Energy [i.e. parāśakti] should pierce (the Wheels) in the other body. In this way, O goddess, (the Wheels in the disciple’s body) are pierced even at a great distance. [...]”.

context information

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.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Hinduism

Parāśakti (पराशक्ति, “superior, spiritual energy”).—One of the three powers (śakti) of Viṣṇu (viṣṇuśakti).

Source: Google Books: Kundalini Meditation Theory and Practice

Parāśakti (i.e., the energy of Śiva).—The one, who perpetually stays connected with Parāśakti, the Goddess Kuṇḍalinī (Parāśakti and Goddess Kuṇḍalinī are the same) enters the state of supreme bliss, and in this state he attains Bhairava. Śiva can never be attained directly. It is only Parāśakti, the supreme Śiva can be attained. Once Śiva is attained, there is nothing left for him and he is never born again. The knowledge about Śiva is sovereign in nature and none can impart that knowledge except Parāśakti and thus, She becomes his Guru. In reality there is nothing in that Supreme Knowledge and this is known as void. When one becomes Śiva due to realization, he does nothing and becomes like a moving object, unconcerned and unattached with the material world.

All powerful energies are derived from Parāśakti, the energy of Śiva. They are

ānanda śakti,
icchā śakti
jāña śakti,
kriyā śakti,
kuṇḍalinī śakti
and mantra śakti.

All these śakti’s are derived from Supreme Śakti, the independent and absolute power of Śiva. This Supreme Śakti is also known as Svātantrya Śakti. Out of the above śakti’s, the most potent of the energies is kuṇḍalinī śakti and hence to be practiced with great care

Source: Kauai’s Hindu Monastry: Dancing with Siva

Parāśakti is pure consciousness, the substratum or primal substance flowing through all form. It is Śiva’s inscrutable presence, the ultimate ground and being of all that exists, without which nothing could endure. Aum.

Parāśakti, “Supreme Energy,” is called by many names: silence, love, being, power and all-knowingness. It is Satchidānanda—existence-consciousness-bliss—that pristine force of being which is undifferentiated, totally aware of itself, without an object of its awareness. It radiates as divine light, energy and knowing. Out of Paraśiva ever comes Parāśakti, the first manifestation of mind, superconsciousness or infinite knowing.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

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

1) Paraśakti (परशक्ति):—[=para-śakti] [from para] m. Name of an author of Mantras, [Catalogue(s)]

2) Parāśakti (पराशक्ति):—[=parā-śakti] [from parā > para] f. (with Śāktas) a [particular] form of Śakti, [Catalogue(s)]

[Sanskrit to German]

Parashakti in German

context information

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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Paraśakti (ಪರಶಕ್ತಿ):—[noun] the fundamenal nature of the universe; the Cosmos-Energy.

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Parāśakti (ಪರಾಶಕ್ತಿ):—

1) [noun] the basic cosmic energy personified as Goddess.

2) [noun] (vīr.) one of the six powers of Śiva.

context information

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

Relevant text

Search found 33 books and stories containing Parashakti, Para-sakti, Parā-śakti, Para-śakti, Para-shakti, Parāśakti, Parasakti, Paraśakti; (plurals include: Parashaktis, saktis, śaktis, shaktis, Parāśaktis, Parasaktis, Paraśaktis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 35 [Trinkets of Kāli’s anklets] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]

Verse 48 [Siddhās and Śaktis] < [Chapter 2 - Second Vimarśa]

Verse 95 [Parāśakti as Kālakarṣiṇī in Cakrapañcaka] < [Chapter 3 - Third Vimarśa]

+ 10 more chapters / show preview

Shakti: Grace of God < [Chapter 4 - Concept of God]

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Chapter 29 - On the birth of the Bhagavatī in the house of Dakṣa < [Book 7]

Chapter 5 - On the Gāyatrī Stotra < [Book 12]

Chapter 30 - On the birth of Gaurī, the seats of the Deity, and the distraction of Śiva < [Book 7]

+ 4 more chapters / show preview

Brahma-Sūtra 3.3.37 < [Adhikaraṇa 16 - Sūtras 35-37]

Brahma-Sūtra 3.3.39 < [Adhikaraṇa 17 - Sūtras 38-40]