Adishakti According to Devi Purana: Mother of Trimurti and Primordial Consciousness of the Universe

In Indian spirituality and the Shakta tradition, Adishakti (The Supreme Goddess) is revered as the ultimate source of creation, preservation and destruction. Texts like the Devi Purana, Devi Bhagavatam, Tripura Rahasya and Devi Gita describe her as the supreme force, the Prakriti, the ultimate truth and the mother of the entire universe. These scriptures tell us that Adishakti gave birth to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, initiating the cosmic cycle of creation, operation and dissolution.

The Origin and Form of Adishakti

Adishakti is known by many names such as Parama Prakriti, Mahadevi, Parashakti and Tripura Sundari.

• She has no beginning and no end.
• She is self-manifested, self-sufficient, without beginning or end.
• She is both Sakar (form) and Nirakar (formless), manifest and unmanifest.
• All gods, goddesses and every power in the universe is an expression of her.

In the Devi Gita, Adishakti herself says: "I am this universe. All the powers of creation, preservation and destruction are within me."

The Origin of the Trimurti: Story from Devi Purana

The Beginning of Creation

According to the Tripura Rahasya and Devi Bhagavatam, at the beginning of creation, only Adishakti existed. She was alone; there was nothing else-no sky, no earth, no directions, no time-just an infinite void, which contained only her divine energy. She then desired to manifest, thinking, “Let me become many from one.” Her desire gave rise to knowledge and action. With her Trigunatmak Shakti (threefold power), she manifested three deities:

• Pashupati (Shiva), the embodiment of desire (Kama).
• Hari (Vishnu), the embodiment of knowledge (Sattva).
• Brahma, the embodiment of action (Rajas).

Adishakti's Command and the Role of the Trimurti

In the Devi Bhagavatam, Adishakti herself commands the Trimurti: _ "O Brahma, you create. O Vishnu, you preserve. O Shiva, you destroy. You three are all fragments of my powers-Rajas, Sattva and Tamas. As long as my energy resides in you, you will be able to carry out your respective duties. Without me, you will be inert, inactive and powerless."_

The Cosmic Form of Adishakti

In the Devi Gita and Tripura Rahasya, the grand form of Adishakti is described as:

• Her head contains the Satya Yuga (the world of Brahma).
• Her hair contains the entire universe.
• Her eyes are the Sun and Moon.
• Her ears are the four directions.
• Her voice is the Vedas.
• Her smile is Maya (illusion).
• Her teeth represent death, love and emotion.

This grand form indicates that Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and all of creation are just parts of her essence.

Philosophical and Spiritual Message

1. The Ultimate Foundation: Adishakti is the ultimate truth, Brahman and the source of all powers.
2. Trigunatmak Power: The powers of creation (Rajas), preservation (Sattva) and destruction (Tamas) are all governed by her energy.
3. Supreme Mother: Adishakti grants the Trimurti the energy, consciousness and capacity to carry out their respective roles.
4. Symbol of Completeness: She is the controller of both Sakar and Nirakar, the auspicious and the inauspicious, creation and destruction-she embodies all aspects of existence.

Cultural and Religious Significance

• Shakta Tradition: Worship of the Goddess is performed for power, prosperity, protection and liberation (Moksha).
• Navratri, Durga Saptashati, Devi Bhagavatam: These festivals and texts celebrate the goddess as the mother of the Trimurti and the ruler of the universe.
• Tridevi: The three primary forms of the Goddess-Saraswati (Knowledge), Lakshmi (Prosperity) and Parvati (Power)-are also aspects of Adishakti.

Summary

According to the Devi Purana and Shakta texts, Adishakti is the mother of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. She is the primordial consciousness behind the universe’s creation, sustenance and destruction. Without her energy, the entire cosmic cycle would be impossible. Her story teaches us that every particle, every power and every consciousness in the universe is fundamentally an expression of the same Supreme Mother. Those who understand the Goddess know the mysteries of creation, power and love-all of which are interconnected. This is the glory of Adishakti-All-powerful, omnipresent and eternally revered.