Shakti

==Sociological cultural views==

==Sociological cultural views==

===Shakti and feminism===

===Shakti and feminism===

The recognition and worship of the divine, as the primordial feminine force called Shakti, attests to the autonomous nature of women and their power.{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2007|p=400}} In the Hindu milieu, ''stri shakti'', 'the power of women', connotes the ideas regarding women and their power. [[Cynthia Ann Humes]] argues this notion of women's power differs from the Western sense, as it is "not agency but, rather, potentiality" restrained.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|p=19}} Kathleen Erndl, who found many examples of Hindu women being empowered by identification with goddess, felt Hindu feminists need to assert Shakti despite patriarchal constraints.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|pp=17, 19}} Goddess Kali’s trampling of Shiva is a favorite of both Indian and Western feminists for the symbolism of female power, autonomy and dominance.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|p=18}}

The recognition and worship of the divine, as the primordial feminine force called Shakti, attests to the autonomous nature of women and their power.{{sfn|Jones|Ryan|2007|p=400}} In the Hindu milieu, ''stri shakti'', 'the power of women', connotes the ideas about women and their power. [[Cynthia Ann Humes]] argues this notion of women's power differs from the Western sense, as it is "not agency but, rather, potentiality" restrained.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|p=19}} Kathleen Erndl, who found many examples of Hindu women being empowered by identification with goddess, felt Hindu feminists need to assert Shakti despite patriarchal constraints.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|pp=17, 19}} Goddess Kali’s trampling of Shiva is a favorite of both Indian and Western feminists for the symbolism of female power, autonomy and dominance.{{sfn|Erndll|Hiltebeitel|2000|p=18}}

===Shakti and widowhood===

===Shakti and widowhood===