A biological perspective for representing Shakti as a feminine form in yogic and Hindu philosophies

Dear Editor, In this study, we have expressed the reason behind considering “Shakti” as a feminine form in yoga and Hindu philosophies, based on the biological perspective. The term “Shakti” refers to “energy, power, or strength.”[1-3] It is derived from the Sanskrit root word “Shak,” which means “to be able” or “to do.” It is the force responsible for movement and growth. Shakti is the manifestation ability of all forces of nature. Various Indian schools of philosophy have explained about Shakti. In Hatha Yoga, Shiva is equated with consciousness and Shakti with energy. The important Shakti described in yoga is the Kundalini Shakti, which is the serpent power lying dormant in all beings.[4,5] In Mimamsa philosophy, Shakti is described as the inherent power of all things. The Nyaya philosophy explains Shakti as the functioning ability or the property of any cause. The Vedanta describes Shakti as the activity that makes a cause shape into an effect.[1,2] In Sankhya philosophy, Prakriti is responsible for the evolution of the cosmos.[3] Shakti can be seen as an antecedent to Prakriti, where Shakti is the instrumental cause and Prakriti is the material cause.[1,2] In Hinduism, though Shakti is worshipped under different names, she is always considered to be a feminine principle and picturized as a female. She is seen as an embodiment of energy/power, without which the male cannot function. She represents power that is both latent and manifest. Deities have their Shaktis represented as females in the form of wives. In Devi Mahatmyam, Shakti has been described as Devi, Prakriti, etc.[3] In Devi Suktha (a part of the Rig Veda), Shakti is recognized as a cosmic principle. The word Shakti appears at least 12 times in the Rig Veda, representing various goddesses. Even in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Shakti is represented as Devi, the female consort.[2] Mitochondria are important cellular organelles found in the cells. They are responsible for ATP production. ATP is the energy currency of the cell. That is why mitochondria are called the “powerhouse of the cell.”[6] The human sperm has a head containing genetic material, a midpiece containing mitochondria, and a tail for movement. During fertilization of the oocyte by the sperm, the sperm enters into the oocyte. Although the sperm-derived paternal mitochondria enter the oocyte cytoplasm, after fertilization, their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is never transmitted to the offspring. The paternal mitochondria (that came from the sperm) are degraded through a variety of enzymatic mechanisms, and only the maternal mtDNA is transferred to the offspring. This is referred to as maternal inheritance of mitochondria.[7,8] Hence, the newly formed offspring’s mitochondrial DNA (which is responsible for energy production) comes from the offspring’s mother and never from the father. Hence, every embryo formed has its DNA for mitochondria from its mother. We know that mitochondria are the centers for energy production. This may be the reason our ancestors have always equated the term Shakti (which represents energy or power) with the feminine aspect. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.