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Devi Mahatmya: The Crystallization of the Goddess Tradition
The Devi-Mahatmya is well-known to both devotees and scholars of the Indian Great Goddess. The central task in this study is to explore how an anonymous Sanskrit text articulates a view of ultimate reality as feminine when there is virtually no precedent in the Sanskrit for such a view. To accomplish this task, an appropriate method of scriptural analysis is developed. This involves an examination of Hindu understanding of the Puranas and of the Devi-Mahatmya in particular, along with consideration of several recent scholarly discussions, in India and elsewhere. The study culminates in annotated translations of the text's hymns.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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November 15, 2020
Considered by one and all as an indispensable tool for understanding the 'Goddess' tradition, this book is made up of the following parts:
* Following the 'Foreward', 'Acknowledgements', we have 'PROLEGOMENON'— the theoretical framework for this study. It’s the most soporific and tedious part of this book. Unless you are studying this book as part of your research, I would whole-heartedly recommend the skipping of this part.
* PART I: THE EPITHETS
This remarkable section contains the various names by which the Goddess has been addressed in the Devi-Mahatmya and their historical precedents. Stunningly thought-provoking in its lucidity, this part encourages the reader to undertake the perilous journey of understanding Devi on his/her own.
* PART II: THE MYTHS
This part continues with a historical analyis of the three major Puranic stories associated with Devi. It’s very-very good.
* PART III: THE HYMNS
I fell in love with this section. Vedic Sanskrit is beyond the grasp of most readers. But thanks to the author, in this section we have lucid and poetic translations of most of the major hymns that had played a pivotal role in the development of our notions regarding Devi.
* CONCLUSION— an academic part which can be skipped, since the author has by this time taught us to study and draw our own conclusions.
* APPENDICES
Here we have an analysis of 'The Seven Little Mothers' in Part A, and 'Correlation of Epithets and Myths according to Episode'. It’s fabulous!
* Finally we have 'Bibliography' and Index.
This book is truly a classic. For the scholars, it’s one of the most rigorous examination of the concepts and beliefs that go into the making of "Devi'. For lay readers like us, it’s a comprehensive coverage of various canonical literature spread across several millennia! But in my opinion, best thing about this book is its open-minded approach where the author repeatedly asserts that reality and his views may be different,.
Highly recommended.
* Following the 'Foreward', 'Acknowledgements', we have 'PROLEGOMENON'— the theoretical framework for this study. It’s the most soporific and tedious part of this book. Unless you are studying this book as part of your research, I would whole-heartedly recommend the skipping of this part.
* PART I: THE EPITHETS
This remarkable section contains the various names by which the Goddess has been addressed in the Devi-Mahatmya and their historical precedents. Stunningly thought-provoking in its lucidity, this part encourages the reader to undertake the perilous journey of understanding Devi on his/her own.
* PART II: THE MYTHS
This part continues with a historical analyis of the three major Puranic stories associated with Devi. It’s very-very good.
* PART III: THE HYMNS
I fell in love with this section. Vedic Sanskrit is beyond the grasp of most readers. But thanks to the author, in this section we have lucid and poetic translations of most of the major hymns that had played a pivotal role in the development of our notions regarding Devi.
* CONCLUSION— an academic part which can be skipped, since the author has by this time taught us to study and draw our own conclusions.
* APPENDICES
Here we have an analysis of 'The Seven Little Mothers' in Part A, and 'Correlation of Epithets and Myths according to Episode'. It’s fabulous!
* Finally we have 'Bibliography' and Index.
This book is truly a classic. For the scholars, it’s one of the most rigorous examination of the concepts and beliefs that go into the making of "Devi'. For lay readers like us, it’s a comprehensive coverage of various canonical literature spread across several millennia! But in my opinion, best thing about this book is its open-minded approach where the author repeatedly asserts that reality and his views may be different,.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 of 1 review