Dr Bhaskar Bora
The Feminine Pulse of the Universe
The essence of Shakti and Dus Mahavidyas – Some things are too alive, too wild, to be boxed into clean definitions. Shakti is one of them.
In Hindu thinking, the universe isn’t just matter spinning through space. It’s alive. Breathing. Moving with intent. And right at the center of all that movement — is Shakti.
She’s not just a goddess sitting on a pedestal. She’s the energy that makes things happen. Creation, change, even chaos — it’s all her.
You can see her in the way the seasons shift. In a child’s cry. In the way love can break and build you at the same time. That’s her.
If Shiva is stillness — like deep, clear water — then Shakti is the ripple. The wave. The storm and the stillness after.
Nowhere does her intensity and complexity show up more than in the Dus Mahavidyas — ten fierce, brilliant faces of feminine wisdom. They’re not just mythological stories. They’re emotional landscapes. And honestly? We’ve all met them in some form.
So… What Is Shakti, Really?
We say “Shakti” like we know what we mean. Power. Energy. Sure. But those words feel… too small.
Shakti is that force you feel when:
- Your mum holds you even when she’s tired
- You stand up after falling apart
- You feel a storm coming but don’t run
- You find peace in a room full of noise
She’s not just found in rituals or scriptures. She’s in messy kitchens. Broken hearts. Deep laughter. The rhythm of a body breathing in and out.
And she’s not always gentle. Sometimes she’ll rip through your life like a storm — only to show you what’s real underneath.
The Dus Mahavidyas — Shakti’s Ten Wild, Wise Faces
So the story goes — when Sati wanted to go to her father’s ceremony and Shiva refused, she didn’t beg. She became ten goddesses — each more intense than the last — to wake him up. Each one was a voice, a fire, a truth that needed to be seen.
And that’s really what these ten Mahavidyas are: reflections of what we feel, fear, and sometimes fight in ourselves.
Let’s walk with them for a moment.
-
Kali – The One Who Breaks What’s Broken
She’s wild. Dark. Free. The goddess who laughs at fear. Kali doesn’t destroy out of anger — she destroys what no longer serves us. And she does it fast.
She whispers: “Let it go — or I’ll do it for you.”
-
Tara – The Soft Voice in the Void
Tara is the one who stays when everyone else leaves. She’s the calm when everything’s falling apart. She doesn’t shout — she stays. That’s her strength.
She whispers: “You’re not alone. I’ve got you.”
-
Tripura Sundari – The Balance Between Beauty and Power
She’s grace. Not the surface kind — the deep kind that holds dignity and softness in the same hand. When you’re in alignment with yourself, that’s her.
She reminds: “You don’t have to choose between strength and softness.”
-
Bhuvaneshwari – The One Who Holds It All
She’s space. Literally, the vast sky where all your emotions can live without shame. She doesn’t judge but makes room.
She offers: “Everything belongs. Even the parts you hide.”
-
Bhairavi – The Flame That Won’t Be Tamed
Tough love. That’s Bhairavi. She pushes you, challenges you, says “enough excuses.” She’s not gentle — but she’s fair.
She demands: “Get up. You’re stronger than this.”
-
Chhinnamasta – The One Who Cuts Through Ego
Yes, she holds her own head. And no, she’s not gruesome — she’s real. She teaches what it means to surrender control and live from truth, not fear.
She says: “You can’t transform while clinging to your comfort zone.”
-
Dhumavati – The Widow, the Grief, the Empty Space
The goddess nobody wants to meet. She’s loneliness, loss, the long pause after goodbye. But she’s also what comes after grief — quiet wisdom.
She reminds: “Even emptiness has something to teach you.”
-
Bagalamukhi – The Still Point in a Storm
She doesn’t fight but silences. Stills the spinning mind, the racing heart. Her power is quiet but unstoppable.
She tells you: “Pause. You don’t have to react to everything.”
-
Matangi – The Rebel with Her Own Rhythm
She’s the rule-breaker, the outcast, the artist. She doesn’t wait for permission. She speaks when it’s inconvenient. And she listens to her gut.
She says: “Your truth is sacred. Speak it.”
-
Kamala – The One Who Dances in the World
Kamala is Lakshmi’s twin flame — joy, beauty, abundance. But with depth. She reminds you that pleasure is not a sin — it’s part of being whole.
She smiles: “It’s okay to enjoy life. You’re allowed.”
Why This Isn’t Just Ancient Stuff
It’s tempting to think of these goddesses as old stories from dusty books. But honestly? They’re us.
In a world obsessed with productivity, positivity, and polishing every rough edge, the Mahavidyas say:
- It’s okay to rage.
- It’s okay to grieve.
- It’s okay to be weird, wild, raw, sacred — all at once.
They give us space to be human.
How You Can Walk With Them (Without an Altar)
You don’t need incense or mantras to channel these energies. You embody them in tiny, messy, real-life moments.
Like when:
- You say no and stick to it (Bhairavi)
- You admit you’re lost and let someone help (Tara)
- You cry in the middle of the day and don’t apologize (Dhumavati)
- You dare to make art that’s totally, awkwardly you (Matangi)
- You enjoy a simple meal without guilt (Kamala)
That’s it. That’s the path.
Final Thought: You’re Not Just Inviting Shakti — You Are Her
If you’ve ever been shattered and rebuilt yourself — you’ve met Kali.
Ever stood in your truth even when your voice shook — Matangi’s been there.
Felt peace in the middle of the mess — Tara was whispering.
The Mahavidyas don’t want worship.
They want witnessing.
They want to be felt — and lived.
And in doing that, we don’t just honour the Divine Feminine.
We remember who we really are.
Call to Action:
Have you felt the energy of any Mahavidya in your own life?
Which goddess speaks to you most right now?
I’d love to hear in the comments or connect at www.lifeetcetra.com
Click here for more blogs and stories
#Shakti #DusMahavidyas #DivineFeminine #HinduPhilosophy #TantricWisdom #SpiritualIndia #SacredFeminine #LifeEtcetra #BhaskarBoraWrites #GoddessTradition #SpiritualAwakening
