Śākta Tantra

The term “Śākta Tantra” (Śāktism) refers to a constellation of Tantric traditions of Asian goddess worship. Śākta Tantra is considered a branch of Hindu Tantrism, together with Śaivism and Vaiṣṇavism. This article is meant as a general introduction to Śākta Tantra, a web of esoteric religious traditions that have developed in the Indian subcontinent and have focused on the worship of goddesses, the embodied “powers” (Śaktis). Studies based both on Tantric texts and on ethnographic insights often indicate the secretive nature of Śākta rituals that are followed by initiated adepts within the hermetic circles called “families” (kula). The mystical streams of Śākta Tantra do not always propagate transgressive acts but are strongly influenced by regional traditions of Mother goddesses and female spirits. One can distinguish the Śākta traditions (like Śrīvidyā) that impacted the ritualism of various Brahminic communities and others that were themselves influenced by folk cults and regional customs. There are Sanskritic traditions of Krama and Trika that belonged to so-called Kashmirian Śaivism but developed elaborate theology where goddesses played major roles, and various local cults like Kerala Śākta Tantra, where local demon-slaying goddesses are worshipped in secret ceremonies. The goddesses are praised as powerful deities that can fulfill human wishes (i.e., are invoked during so-called kāmya rites) and lead a Tantric adept to salvation. In this article, an attempt is made to indicate the main branches of Śākta Tantra and selected Śākta-related concepts and to suggest textual sources that describe the traditions from both academic and sectarian perspectives.