The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.87

v1.c11.87

**[ 148 ] Classification of Sakti :** The theory of Śakti having once been fully established, all the sectaries adopted it to indicate the spouses of their different divinities, and various classifications were adopted for ranging the female divinities into full manifestations (*Mūla Prakṛti* or *Pūrṇaśakti*), manifestations in portions (*Aṅśarūpiṇī*) in parts (*Kalārūpiṇī*), in portions of parts (*Kalāṅśarūpiṇī*), &c., &c. The minor sub-divisions include mortal women, and they are accordingly adored as manifestations of the divine mother on earth. This has resulted in several dissolute and licentious systems of religion, in one of which a nude female of youthful age forms the central figure in a circle of mystic devotion. Among the Vaiṣṇavas, Rādhā was the *Mūla-Prakṛti*, and the other associates of Kṛṣṇa, her parts ; and among the Śaivas and the Śāktas, Umā or Durgā, was the *Pūrṇa Śakti*, and her various manifestations her parts, comprising more or less of her spirit or substance. Strictly speaking, this classification would justify the use of the term Śākta, to indicate all those who accept one or other of the female divinities as their tutelary goddess ; but in practice the word is confined to those only who follow Durgā and her different manifestations.