Women empowerment (Śaktism) as reflected in Vedic literature
Dr. Amit Kumar Saha
Saktism, the worship of supreme deity as female form undoubtedly occupies an important place in the history of Indian religious practices. The word ‘Śakti’ means ‘Power’ but when it is personalized it is regarded as Devi Śakti. Śakti means the vibrant self-conscious energy through which this whole universe evolve. This idea is based on Vedic mantras propagated by Advaita Vedenta. Veda provide the valuable information and explanation of this Śakti worship. This female spiritual Power is the Great mother of the Universe. In the earlier stages of human history, the woman was the actual producer of life as well as the protector also. The idea of identification of earth with Śakti was prevailed since Vedic period. This idea gave birth of Śakti. Saktism gained more prominence in the epic period.