The ancient sages depicted Shiva, the male principle, and Shakti, the female principle, as together symbolizing the concept of God where both male and female principles are equally combined. Shiva represents the tranquil, inactive state, while the female principle, Shakti, represents the dynamic aspect of God. According to ancient Hindu teachings, Shiva, the quiescent element of God's truth, and Shakti, the dynamic aspect, together represent God the Father and God the Mother, both are actually one and the same.
— Swami Shraddhananda, Seeing God Everywhere by Swami Shraddhananda, Pravrajika Vrajaprana, editor