The Divine Couple SHIVA – SHAKTI

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.

The tradition has associated to these principles a form, respectively that of a masculine deity and that of a feminine one. Accordingly, Shiva represents the constitutive elements of the universe, while Shakti is the dynamic potency, which makes these elements come to life and act.

From a metaphysical point of view, the divine couple Shiva-Shakti corresponds to two essential aspects of the One: the masculine principle, which represents the abiding aspect of God, and the feminine principle, which represents Its Energy, the Force which acts in the manifested world, life itself considered at a cosmic level.

From this point of view, Shakti represents the immanent aspect of the Divine, that is the act of active participation in the act of creation. Maybe exactly this Tantric view of the Feminine in creation contributed to the orientation of the human being towards the active principles of the universe, rather than towards those of pure transcendence.

Shiva shakti is the power of transformation and liberation in some yoga traditions. It is one of three main forces and is personified in the Hindu god, Shiva, the transformer and destroyer of evil; while the feminine shakti energy is represented by his consort, Parvati (sometimes referred to as Mahadevi).

The masculine Shiva represents consciousness. The feminine shakti is the activating and energizing principle. The two are said to unite in the crown chakra, sparking transformation in the form of spiritual enlightenment.

Found in private collection in Odessa, Ukraine. Created by N. Marynenko