История шактизма

История шактизма глубоко уходит своими корнями в индийскую преисторию. Самые ранние следы культа Деви были обнаружены в стоянках времён палеолита, возраст которых оценивается в 20 000 лет. Культ Богини-матери получил своё дальнейшее развитие в период Индской цивилизации. В ведийский период шактизм пришёл в упадок, но возродился в классический период. Первые следы шактизма в его современной форме можно обнаружить в ведийской литературе. Традиция получила своё дальнейшее развитие в древнеиндийском эпосе, достигла своего наивысшего расцвета в период Гуптов (300—700) и продолжила развиваться и распространяться в последующие века.

Самым важным текстом шактов является «Деви-махатмья», написанная около полутора тысяч лет назад. В этом тексте впервые «были собраны вместе различные мифические, культовые и теологические элементы, связанные с различными женскими божествами». Другими ключевыми писаниями традиции шактизма являются «Лалита-сахасранама», «Деви-гита», «Саундарья-лахари» Шанкары и Тантры.

Литература

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• Krishna Warrier, Dr. A.J., The IAST: Sākta Upaniṣad-s, The Adyar Library and Research Center, Library Series, Vol. 89; Vasanta Press (Chennai, 1967, 3d. ed. 1999).
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• Pattanaik, Devdutt, Devi the Mother-Goddess: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd. (Mumbai, 2000).
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• Sarma, Dr. S. A., Kena Upanisad: A Study From Sakta Perspective. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai, 2001).
• (a) Shankarnarayanan, S., The Ten Great Cosmic Powers: Dasa Mahavidyas. Samata Books (Chennai, 1972; 4th ed. 2002).
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• Suryanarayana Murthy, Dr. C., Sri Lalita Sahasranama with Introduction and Commentary. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai, 2000. Rep. of 1962 ed.).
• Urban, Hugh B., Tantra: Sex, Secrecy, Politics and Power in the Study of Religion, University of California Press (Berkeley, 2003).
• White, David Gordon, Kiss of the Yogini: «Tantric Sex» in its South Asian Contexts, The University of Chicago Press (Chicago, 2003).
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• Woodroffe, Sir John, Sakti and Sakta: Essays and Addresses, Ganesh & Company (Madras, 9th Ed. 1987, reprint of 1927 edition).