Shakti and Shakta by Arthur Avalon (John Woodroffe)

Description

Shakti and Shâkta is a book by Arthur Avalon (John Woodroffe), first published in 1918. This work explores the profound philosophical and spiritual tenets of Shaktism, a major tradition within Hinduism that venerates the Divine Feminine as the supreme power. Drawing on Tantric texts and esoteric doctrine, the author discusses the dynamic interplay between Shakti (power, energy) and Shakta (the possessor of power), offering an in-depth look at kundalini, mantras, rituals, and the metaphysical underpinnings of the universe as seen through the Shakta lens. With an emphasis on experiential realization over intellectual abstraction, the book attempts to present the Tantric worldview not as exotic mysticism but as a legitimate, coherent spiritual science rooted in Indian tradition. It contributed significantly to the early 20th-century Western understanding of Indian esotericism and remains a foundational work in studies of Tantra and Hindu philosophy.

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