Shakti
/ˈʃʌk.ti/noun
In Hindu traditions, the divine feminine power or energy, and more generally power, force, or capability.
Did you know?In Indian philosophical traditions, Shakti is the active power behind creation, which is why it became central to goddess worship as the living energy of the universe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sak-
“to be able, सक्षम / to have power”
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śaktí-
“power, ability, capability; effective force”
Classical Sanskrit / Hindu traditions
Sanskrit
śakti
“divine power, energy, the active principle, especially feminine divine power”
Medieval Prakrit / Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
satti / sakti
“power, ability, force”
Modern English
English
shakti
“the divine feminine power or energy in Hindu thought”