Shaktipata () or Shaktipat in Hinduism is the transmission<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA; Transmission (esotericism)' redirects here--> (or conferring) of spiritual energy upon one person by another or directly from the deity. Shaktipata can be transmitted with a sacred word or mantra, or by a look, thought or touch – the last usually to the ajna chakra or agya chakra or third eye of the recipient.
Shaktipata is considered an act of grace (Anugraha) on the part of the guru or the divine. It cannot be imposed by force, nor can a receiver make it happen. The very consciousness of the god or guru is held to enter into the Self of the disciple, constituting an initiation into the school or the spiritual family (kula) of the guru. It is held that shaktipata can be transmitted in person or at a distance, through an object such as a flower or fruit.
Etymology
The term shaktipata is derived from Sanskrit, from shakti "(psychic) energy" and pāta, "to fall".
Levels of intensity
Levels
In Kashmir Shaivism, depending on its intensity, shaktipata can be classified as:
<!--Specific Principles of Kashmir Śaivism, B. N. Pandit, page 175; also, please verify the order of names-->
- ' - the so-called "Super Supreme Grace" - produces immediate identity with Shiva and liberation; such a being goes on to become a siddha master and bestows grace from his abode (Siddhaloka), directly into the heart of deserving aspirants
- ' - "Supreme Medium Grace" - such a being becomes spiritually illuminated and liberated on his own, relying directly on Shiva, not needing initiation or instruction from other exterior guru. This is facilitated by an intense awakening of his spiritual intuition (pratibhā) which immediately eliminates ignorance
- ' - "Medium Middle Grace" - such a disciple will receive initiation from his guru and have an intense desire to attain liberation, but at the same time he still has desire for various enjoyments and pleasure; after the end of his life, he continues to a paradise where he fulfills all his desires and after that he receives again initiation from his master and realizes permanent union with Shiva
- ' - "Medium Inferior Grace" - is similar to "Medium Middle Grace" except that in this case the aspirant desires worldly pleasures more than union with Shiva; he needs to be reincarnated again as a spiritual seeker to attain liberation
Table
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! style="width:25%; font-weight:normal" | Type of spiritual grace
! style="width:25%; font-weight:normal" | When is the moment of liberation?
! style="width:25%; font-weight:normal" | What one needs in order<br>to attain liberation?
! style="width:25%; font-weight:normal" | What is the defining quality<br>of the recipient?
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0" | tīvra-tīvra-śaktipāta<br>Super Supreme Grace
| immediate
| nothing exterior, only<br>the grace of Shiva
| capability to abandon duality
|-
| style="background:#f0f0f0" | tīvra-madhya-śaktipāta<br>Supreme Medium Grace
| immediate
| nothing exterior, only<br>the grace of Shiva
| intuition of nonduality