A garland of forgotten goddesses : tales of the feminine divine from India and beyond / edited by Michael Slouber.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Slouber, Michael, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hindu goddesses.

Hinduism--Doctrines.

Hinduism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (374 p.)

Place of Publication:

Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2021]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Imagining the divine as female is rare—even controversial—in most religions. Hinduism, by contrast, preserves a rich and continuous tradition of goddess worship. A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses conveys the diversity of this tradition by bringing together a fresh array of captivating and largely overlooked Hindu goddess tales from different regions. As the first such anthology of goddess narratives in translation, this collection highlights a range of sources from ancient myths to modern lore. The goddesses featured here battle demons, perform miracles, and grant rare Tantric visions to their devotees. Each translation is paired with a short essay that explains the goddess’s historical and social context, elucidating the ways religion adapts to changing times.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Introduction

Part One Demons and Battle

Chapter 1 Bhadrakālī Slaying the Demon in the Backwaters

Chapter 2 Cāmundi and Uttanahalli Sisters of the Mysuru Hills

Chapter 3 Kauśikī The Virgin Demon Slayer

Chapter 4 The Seven Mothers Origin Tales from Two Early-Medieval Purānas

Part Two Miracles and Devotees

Chapter 5 Svasthānī Goddess of One’s Own Place

Chapter 6 Kailā Devī The Great Goddess as Local Avatar of Miracles

Chapter 7 Bahucarā Mātā She Who Roams Widely

Chapter 8 Rāstrasenā Hawk Goddess of the Mewar Mountains

Part Three Tantras and Magic

Chapter 9 Rangda in the Calon Arang A Tale of Magic

Chapter 10 Tvaritā The Swift Goddess

Chapter 11 Kāmeśvarī Visualizing the Goddess of Desire

Chapter 12 Avyapadeśyā Indefinable Kālī

GLOSSARY

LIST OF DEITIES AND CHARACTERS

PRIMARY SOURCES

REFERENCES

CONTRIBUTORS

INDEX

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780520976214

0520976215

OCLC:

1233041442