Shakti is the cosmic energy through which everything in this universe manifests – including us.
In Hindu mythology she is represented in the form of the female deities who stand for abundance, power, beauty, change, security and nourishment.
Only when Shakti works in us, we can live our full potential and radiate out of us.
Shakti works in interaction with Shiva, the consciousness. They are like the two sides of a coin and together they provide the sense of oneness with the Self and the whole cosmos.
In Samkhya philosophy they are also known as Prakriti and Purusha.
Shakti is the Kundalini that slumbers like a coiled snake at the base of our pelvic floor. It is possible to awaken this dormant energy within us so that it rises up the shushumna, the main energy channel along the spine, to join Shiva in the third eye and then radiate together beyond the crown of the head, allowing us to experience connection. This is possible through kundalini energy work in the form of asana and pranayama, where we balance the chakras and cleanse the nadis. Through Karma Yoga and a conscious approach to our energetic alignment in everyday life.
And in the form of Bhakti Yoga, awakening the different aspects of the Goddesses in us through pujas and kirtan.
The Shakti Mantra: OM AIM HRIM KLIM CHAMUNDAYE VICHE NAMAHA is especially suitable for this.
This mantra represents the various energetic expressions in the form of the Hindu goddesses Saraswati, Durga, Lakshmi and Kali.
It invokes all levels of the divine mother Shakti, in order to remove, with her help, disturbing obstacles on the path to self-realization.
Om: The cosmic primordial sound from which everything arises and is and passes away.
Aim: The Bija Mantra stands for Saraswati, the goddess who unites creativity and logic in herself and as partner of Brahma for the female creative power.
Hrim: The Bija Mantra of the Goddess Durga, who evokes strength and power in us.
Klim: This bija mantra belongs to Lakshmi and awakens inner wealth and beauty in us
Chamunda: Another name for the goddess Kali. The “Black Goddess” helps us to dissolve obstacles in ourselves and our lives.
Viche: Victory
Namaha: Reverence
This mantra can be translated as:
Reverence to the divine feminine energy that helps us remove obstacles through its various forms.
As a gift for you, I have composed a kirtan to the Shakti Mantra.
You can listen to it here:
It is great in situations when you need energetic support, for your bhakti yoga practice, for meditating or relaxing.
To sing along the lyrics:
Om 4 x
Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Viche Namaha 2 x
Sarasvati, Durga, Lakshmi, Kali 2 x
Shakti Ma, Om Shakti, Shakti Ma 2x
Om Aim Saraswati Namaha
Om Dum Durgaye Namaha
Om Shri Maha Lakshmi Namaha
Om Klim Kalikaye Namaha