Parashakti

Parashati idol in a temple.

Parashakti (IAST: Paraśakti, Sanskrit: पराशक्ति)[1] or Parā is one of the three chief goddesses in Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism along with Aparā and Parparā.[2] In Siddhantic perspective, Parashakti is the counterpart of Paramshiva. Paramshiva is used to describe the ultimate form of Shiva. Parashakti is the power of this primordial Shiva, who is emanated by Paramshiva. Adi Parashakti is used to describe the Divine Mother (Supreme Feminine Energy/Mother of whole creation), usually mentioned as supreme form of Lord Shiva's consort Parvati in Hindu scriptures.[3] Parashakti is an all-pervasive, pure consciousness, power, and primal substance of all that exists and it has Mahamaya-form, unlike Parashiva which is formless.[4] A Parashakti as the supreme being of puranic Shaktism and of Sri Vidya obtained the name Adi Parashakti and Maheshvari-Devi.

Trishulabja Yantra used in Trika worship, Parashakti symbolizes central prong of Trident
  1. ^ "Glossary". Search for "Parāśakti".
  2. ^ Dycskowski, 2014, Three Supreme Goddesses of Trika, Anuttara
  3. ^ Woodroffe, John George (1922). The Garland of Letters: (Varnamâlâ) Studies in the Mantra-shâstra. Ganesh Publications.
  4. ^ Parashakti. Dancing with Siva.