51 Shaktipithas The Kernel of Shaktism in South Asia

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

On the occasion of the publication of 51 Saktipithas, Offer I offer my gratitude to the goddess Maa Bhagavati and Lord Siva as because of their blessings and grace, my work has been completed without any hindrance. This monumental task would not have been possible without the encouragement and blessings of my parents- Mrs. Ramkali and Shri Gulab Singh, I am highly obliged from the core of my heart to my most honorable guru Shri Navratan Dwivedi i.e. Bauraha Baba, Assi Ghat, Varanasi, who is an infinite source of inspiration and motivation directly or indirectly that enlightens my path of working for this work.

I also pay my special gratitude to Pt. Raghuraj Dikshit 'Manju' and Pushpa Dikshit for inspiring me for this noble work.

51 Šaktipitha is rare combination that is compiled with the help of great granthas such as- The Devipurana, The Durga Saptasati, The Tantra Cudamani, The Rudrayamala, The Mahākāla Samhita and Saktipithänka of Kalyan monthy etc.

This is a valuable work by Shri Suresh Kumar Singh, T senior senior I.A.S. officer in Uttar Pradesh Government. His devotion, sincerity and craving for knowledge is exemplary. He has tried to list all 51 Saktipithas in simple English language to give a quick and complete description of all aspects of each Pitha.

Devi Bhagavata Purana, part 7, chapter 30 lists 108 Saktipithas with their names, places and Bhairavas. Devi Purana, chapter 39, lists 51 Saktipithas. Devi Gita, chapter 38 lists 72 Pithas. Chapters 31-40 of Devi Bhagavata Purana, part 7 are called Devi Gita. Tantra Cūdāmaņi lists 52 Pithas.

The author should give a brief preface indicating his source and if possible add original verses as reference. Or, the original sources may be indicated in brief and the version followed by him.

Story of Saktipithas is that Daksa was doing a Yajña at Kanakhal near Haridwar. He invited every God, except Siva with whom his daughter Satī was married. Sati also was not invited, but she couldn't resist visit to her father's function. On seeing insult to Siva, she became very hurt and immolated herself in fire. When followers of Siva learnt this, they destroyed the Yajña, burnt beard of priest Bhrgu and cut head of Daksa. As there was anarchy in absence of ruler Daksa, Siva fixed goat's head on his body and beard of goat was fixed on face of Bhrgu.

Adi Parasakti is known as 'The Eternally limitless Powers. According to the Sakti devotees, only Mahāsakti is the supreme Brahma God. She presents herself in different forms (Svarūpas) and performs in various roles (lilas). She is also referred to as Nava Durga, Mahavidya, Jagaddhātri, Katyayani, Lalitamba, Gayatri, Bhūvanesvari, Kali, Tärä, Bagalamukhi, Durga. It is only this supreme energy with which Lord Brahma creates the world, Lord Visņu protects the world and Lord Siva uses to destroy the world ie. It is the great Adya Parāśakti who works beyond the creation, protection and destruction of this entire universe. The Parāśakti Durgă scatters herself in ten Svarupas that is called ten Mahavidya. The Adi Sakti is the Divine Mother, the primal, protection and is generating energy in the cosmos.

The Devibhagavata Mahāpurāņa states that Adi Parāśakti is the original creator, observer and destroyer of the whole universe. However, the goddess Adi Parāśakti is also considered to be truly supreme power, she is the only great goddess and therefore is the only source of all other goddesses.

In this mortal world, the people use to worship 'Mahäkäli to get power, pray to 'Mahasarasvati' to gain knowledge and make please to 'Mahalakşmi' to attain wealth. In this way, they adore the supreme infinite power Adya Sakti with various names as Goddess Ganga, Parvati, Laksmi, Sarasvati, Kali and Tulasi.