11/16/09

Goddess of the Week: Shakti

Tridevi: Lakshmi, Parvati, SaraswatiImage via Wikipedia

Feeling tired? Run down? Listless? Do you poop out at parties? There was a time when the solution to your problem might have been this. But when snake oil or modern science let you down, get yourself a little Shakti, the great Indian mother goddess, who, as the source of all energy, provides the ultimate pick me up.

Once, Shakti ruled all, but like a major actress downsized to bit parts, she was reallocated to being the Hindu god Shiva's consort. (At least she didn't have to be his mother!) Shakti can be viewed as any number of Hindu goddesses, but the thing that makes all of them Shakti is that Shakti gives energy. In fact, you can be as all powerful as you want, but without Shakti to caffeinate your coffee, you've got nothing. Omnipotent Shiva, for example, needed Shakti's energy to release his power.

Warning: just like too much caffeine can give you the jitters, too much Shakti can make you a little crazy. Like this one time, Shakti -- in the form of Kali -- killed all these demons and started feasting on their blood. She got so hyper that she started dancing all crazy and wild. Shiva tried to stop her, so she threw him on the ground and danced on top of him, nearly destroying the entire cosmos. It was not a good scene.

Channel this goddess: When you are tired, listless, and your fuel take is stuck on empty. Also, when you give up carbs and can no longer indulge in that little four o'clock chocolate fix. It's not as sweet, but it will get you to dinner.

Lilly: This one is for you. Dial her up and find your mojo.

Need a goddess: Leave me a message in the comments section and I'll see what I can do.
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14 comments:

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

This one's great, Margaret. And I love your link to the Vitameatavegamin clip. Classic! :o)

Joanne said...

Hm, Shakti seems a little too hyper for me ... I think I'll stick to the java ;)

Desiree said...

"It was not a good scene."
Ah, Margaret, the goddess of understated humor!

pasadenapio said...

This goddess is quite a fashion plate!

Anonymous said...

This post is great, and so tasty too.

Petrea Burchard said...

I could use a Shakti shake almost every day around 3:00.

Shell Sherree said...

Shake it ... shake ... shake your booty...{we are having a party, aren't we?}

Curly said...

Feeling tired? YES
Run down? YES
Listless? YES
Do you poop out at parties? YES

Does Shakti do home visits as well? I lack the energy to go out and look for her! ;-)

Susan C said...

Sounds like Shakti has a lot in common with Vita-Meat-A-Veg-A-Min.

I could use a dose of both.

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if Shakti rules the world of endorphins. She can come sit next to me

Cafe Observer said...

I love the colours in your painting, MF.

Margaret said...

Deb: I couldn't resist that fabulous clip.

Joanne: Java is definitely a good alternative.

PPIO: It's a great picture. It's Shakti in her different goddess incarnations.

Daisy: You might need to take Joanne's advice and start with an espresso.

Pup: My painting?

Curly said...

I drink at least 4 or 5 a day... :-D

Maria said...

It is really amazing how India, the home of Shakti, has so many suffocated and repressed females. Just shows you how contradictory life can be!