Home > Society > Religion in India > Theory of Creation in Tantrism
Theory of Creation in Tantrism
Theory of Creation in Tantrism emphasizes that the supreme is perpetual and absolute. Siva and Sakti are inseparable.

Share this Article:

Theory of Creation in TantrismTheory of Creation in Tantrism accentuates the union of Lord Shiva and Shakti. The Supreme is at once niskala and sakala. The Sakti of Brahman is eternal and inseparable. This Sakti is with and without attributes that is Sakti is both Nirguna and saguna. In her aspect of goddess in the form of consciousness, she manifests the being, and through her as the goddess in the form of bliss Brahman manifests Himself.

Sakti is imminent in universe. By characterizing the goddess as constituted by the basic mantra her subtle body is referred to Siva which is wrapped in the web of Maya and the latent satisfaction is fancied as the supreme Bindu. Bindu is circular that is bounded by the border of Maya. Brahman, the abode of Prakrti-Purusa is in the centre of Maya. Bindu is Prakrti-Purusa; Sabda-Brahman or Apara-Brahman. The goddess becomes inclined to Siva due to the union of Siva and Sakti. Then the creation proceeds. However the relationship of Siva and Sakti is controversial.

Sabda-Brahman manifests itself in three Shaktis - knowledge, desire and action. The goddess is considered as icchasakti, jhanasakti, kriyasakti and svarupini. Terms like svatantrata, nitya, nitya-tripta, sarvajnata convey the completeness of Siva. From Paramasiva arises Sambhu, from Sambhu Sadasiva, from Sadasiva Isana and with their own Shaktis arise Rudra, Vishnu and Shiva. In the Mahanirvana-tantra, Siva has been addressed as Sambhu, Sadasiva, Mahesvara and so on. All these are names of different conditions and manifestations of Siva.

Shakti is simultaneously the form of Maya and Mulaprakrti. Through the power of Maya, Brahman conceals his original form and appears in different forms. Mulaprakrti is not apparent. She resides in the universe consisting of various names and forms in a manifested state. Siva-Sakti dwells in the muladhara and Kundalini within the human body itself. Sabda-Brahman resides in the form of Kundalini and is manifested as aksharas in all processes.

Shakti is termed as Maya, Mahamaya, Devi, Prakriti and so on. She is Vidya and Avidya. As Avidya she causes bondage and as Vidya she puts an end to rebirth thereby giving liberation. She is called Adya Sakti as she is believed to have existed before creation. Atman is to be conceived as Devi. Shakti is only a manifestation of Shiva in the form of mother. As Para Brahma, Devi is beyond form and quality. She has been conceived: supreme form who is beyond knowledge, delicate body constituted by mantra; this unformed aspect is beyond meditation and the gross body which is easily comprehensible.

As Mahadevi, Sakti exists in different forms like Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Durga and Annapurna. As Sati she is the consort of Lord Siva. When Sati surrendered her body Siva carried the dead body. Lord Vishnu with his disc cut the body to 51 pieces which were dropped at different places which were called Mahapihasthanas. At each of these places Devi along with her Bhairava is worshipped. She resides in all the animate and inanimate objects of the universe.

Shakti resorts to Siva always. Her first appearance is with the release of the universe. Prior to this Shakti is dormant in Shiva. This attribute less state is known as Sunya in Shaiva Agamas and it is beyond comprehension. It is so called as it is beyond all meanings.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.