According to the Tantric philosophy the entire universe is the manifestation of pure consciousness. The whole world seems to be divided into two aspects, each of which cannot exist without the other. The aspects are Shiv and Shakti. Shiv, the masculine part retains a static quality and remains identified as long as the consciousness is not manifestated. Shiv has the power to be but not the power to change the world. The other aspect of the power is Shakti, which is feminine, dynamic energetic and creative. Shakti is the great mother of Universe, from which all the other creatures are born.

 

According to the Tantra, the human being is the miniature of the Universe. All that is found in the cosmos can be found within the individual and the principle that applies in case of universe also applies in the case of individual being.

 

In human beings, Shakti, the female aspect is called Kundalini. This is the vital energy that rests at the base of the spinal cord. The object of Tantric practice of Kundaliniyog is to awaken the cosmic energy and make it ascend through the psychic centers, the charkas and lie along the axis of the consciousness potentials. The female shakti then again unites with the Shiv, the pure consciousness. This union aims at Kundaliniyog. Thus duality turns into unity and fusion with the absolute takes place. By this union the sadhaka or the worshipper attains liberation, which is considered as the highest experience of human life. Thus the union of the individual with the universe takes place.

 

In Tantric doctrine, the state of ultimate bliss occurs in transcendence of dualities of male-female and energy consciousness.