Iccha-shakti

Iccha-shakti (Sanskrit: इच्छाशक्ति, romanized: Icchāśakti, lit. 'willpower') is a Sanskrit term translating to free will, desire, creative urge. It functions as the impulse towards manifestation within the principle of shakti, the concept of divine feminine energy.[1] Along with kriya-shakti (action power) and jnana-shakti (knowledge power),[2] iccha-shakti is described to constitute the three aspects of shakti in Hinduism, regarded to be responsible for the evolution of the universe in Tantra.[3] In Shaivism, iccha-shakti represents one of the five shaktis of Shiva, alongside adi-shakti, parama-shakti, kriya-shakti, and jnana-shakti.[4]

  1. ^ Feuerstein, Georg (16 August 2022). The Encyclopedia of Yoga and Tantra. Shambhala Publications. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-61180-185-9.
  2. ^ Sherma, Rita D.; Bilimoria, Purushottama (5 October 2020). Contemplative Studies and Hinduism: Meditation, Devotion, Prayer, and Worship. Taylor & Francis. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-000-19506-4.
  3. ^ Woodroffe, Sir John (1 January 2014). Principles of Tantra: Part I and II. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 45. ISBN 978-81-7822-454-1.
  4. ^ Stutley, Margaret (9 April 2019). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Routledge. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-429-62425-4.