In Hinduism, Shakti is the cosmic energy of divine feminine power. It manifests into various female embodiments on earth, represented by goddesses. The many goddesses and their various attributes signifies the different sentiments of a woman. These four Hindu goddesses are the most highly revered throughout India and Southeast Asia. As a feminist, they are fascinating to learn about.
Kali, which means “black” represents power, creation, destruction and preservation. She is said to be the ferocious form of goddess Durga, who becomes Kali when autonomously battling the forces of evil. She is depicted nude, with four arms, one holding a severed head, and another holding a scimitar. The scimitar and head represents the destruction of ego. Her blackness symbolizes the darkness from which all things were created, and in the end, where all things will absolve or dissolve into blackness.
Goddess of Fertility, Divinity, and Devotion, she is the nurturing aspect of Shakti. Shakti is unrestrained, intractable energy that is chaotic. Parvati represents the gentleness of Shakti. She is benevolent and maternal, the protector of the universe and regenerator of life.
She is the goddess of Knowledge and learning. Her, Lakshmi and Parvati are part of the Tridevi, or trinity of women who help their male counterparts Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, create, maintain and regenerate the universe. Her four hands represent reason, creativity, sense, and ego.
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both materially and spiritually. Her four hands symbolize the four human goals in life: dharma (order), moksha (self-realization), kama (pleasure, desire), and artha (meaning, goal). She is often depicted in a lotus, which symbolizes consciousness and truth. According to ancient Indian texts, all women are embodiments of Lakshmi.
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