Beauty, Power and Grace: The Many Faces of the Goddess

by Krishna Dharma, B.G. Sharma (Illustrator), Mahaveer Swami (Illustrator)

Adapted from ancient Sanskrit texts, these stories comprise the literary heart of Hinduism, wherein divinity assumes innumerable forms. Among these, the portrayal of the Goddess is perhaps the most alluring. In just a few of her manifestations, she appears as a devoted wife, a master of the arts, a terrifying demon slayer, a scornful critic, a doting mother and a crafty lover stealing off into the night. The Vedic tradition, the beauty, power and grace of the Goddess is as one, with God, reflecting the universal truth that male and female are simply different expressions of one supreme, absolute truth. The stories of these and many other goddesses, spanning from the obscure to the iconic, are gathered here in a timeless celebration of Goddess imagery, symbolism and lore. The arresting, original portraits that accompany them complete this mythic repertoire with a stunning gallery of color, form and meaning.

Genres: Childrens, Hinduism, India

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2004

About the author

Krishna Dharma is an acclaimed author and teacher of Vedic wisdom, best known for his accessible retellings of India’s great epics, including the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam. A lifelong practitioner of bhakti-yoga, he writes with both devotion and clarity, bringing ancient spiritual teachings into a modern, readable style. Over decades of study, he has become recognized for his ability to preserve the depth and philosophical richness of the original texts while making them engaging for contemporary readers. Krishna Dharma’s work reflects his commitment to sharing timeless guidance, uplifting values, and practical spiritual insight with audiences around the world.

Reviews

[Claire S]

Another reviewer (on Amazon) says the text on Kali is very questionable, so will keep that in mind.

The illustrations are incredible, and the information is fascinating. I figured if I have some visual help-mates when I start to explore the Mahabharata and so on, it could only help.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't a cover-to-cover read for me but got a lot of out it. Well researched and conveyed info about the different aspects of the Goddess in Hinduism. Impressively, written by a male author with much respect and devotion.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely gorgeous book! A wonderful explanation of who all the different goddesses are, in great details with absolutely brilliant illustrations. This is one I must buy. Going to read more of Krishna Dharma now!

[Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is lovely.