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The term śakti stems from the Sanskrit root śak-, “to have power to effect,” with a suffix - ktin, indicating the feminine gender. In general, the term refers to power, strength, or energy. In the religious context, Śakti stands for the Goddess (Devī), or the powers of the deities. From vedic Agni worship to later tantric emanations (see Tantra), the meaning of śakti is consistent as the divine power, inseparable from the power holder. In subsequent development, Śakti is presented as the consort of Śiva, with her numerous manifestations. In puranic literature, śakti also appears as a …

Mantras are at the center of religious experience in India: they are found in all modes of ritual and practices, and they accompany all life events from birth to death. While mantras ground meditative practice and the many paths to liberation, they are also applied for magical power, alchemical transformation and medicinal purposes, and for prosperity in various phases of life. Found in the earliest vedic literature, mantras transcend Hindu culture and are also found in Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh traditions. Even within Hindu culture, mantras defy a single interpretation. The unde…