Shaktism (Sanskrit: शाक्त, IAST: Śāktaḥ, lit
‘doctrine of energy, power, the eternal goddess’) is one of several major Hindu denominations, wherein the metaphysical reality is considered metaphorically a woman and Shakti (Mahadevi) is regarded as the supreme godhead
It includes many goddesses, all considered aspects of the same supreme goddess
Shaktism has different sub-traditions, ranging from those focused on gracious Parvati to that of fierce Kali
The Sruti and Smriti texts of Hinduism are an important historical framework of the Shaktism tradition
In addition, it reveres the texts Devi Mahatmya, the Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana and Shakta Upanishads such as the Devi Upanishad
The Devi Mahatmya in particular, is considered in Shaktism to be as important as the Bhagavad Gita
Shaktism is known for its various sub-traditions of Tantra, as well as a galaxy of goddesses with respective systems
It consists of the Vidyapitha and Kulamārga
The pantheon of goddesses in Shaktism grew after the decline of Buddhism in India, wherein Hindu and Buddhist goddesses were combined to form the Mahavidya, a list of ten goddesses
The most common aspects of Devi found in Shaktism include Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati and Tripurasundari
The Goddess-focused tradition is very popular in Northeastern India particularly West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Tripura and Assam, which it celebrates festivals such as the Durga puja, which is popular in West Bengal and Odisha
Shaktism also emphasizes that intense love of deity is more important than simple obedience, thus showing the influence of Vaishnava idea where passionate relationship between Radha and Krishna is also the ideal relationship
These older ideas still influence modern Shaktism
Similarly, Shaktism’s ideas have also influenced Vaishnavism and Shaivism traditions
In Shaktism, the Goddess is considered as the Shakti/Energy of Vishnu and Shiva respectively, and revered prominently in numerous Hindu temples and festivals