Devī-māhātmya: The Crystalization of the Goddess TraditionThe 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. |
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Agni Ambā Ambikā appears Appendix association Asuras auspicious Banerjea Biardeau Brahmā Brāhmaṇa Brahmans Buitenen Calcutta called Caṇḍikā carita cited clearly constituted text context critical edition deity discussion divine DM's Durgā epic episode epithet eternal evidence fact fakti feminine Gauri Goddess gods Gonda Gupta hail Hindu historical hymn hymnic Ibid Indian Indra instances itihāsa Kālī khila Kṛṣṇa Lakṣmi literature Madhu Mahābhārata Mahāmāyā Mahiṣa MarkP material mātṛs matter māyā motifs myth mythology Nārāyaṇa Niśumbha occasions occurs original particular Pārvatī passage praise prakṛti Press Proleg Purāṇa Purāņas Purāņic recensions reference Religion religious remarks Renou Ṛg Royal Asiatic Society Rudra śakti Samkhya Sanskrit seen Seven Little Mothers significance simply Śiva Skanda smṛti śraddhā Śrī śruti subsequent suggested Sūkta Sumbha supra Sūtra Svāhā textual Textual Criticism tion tradition translation University Upaniṣads usage vaiṣṇavi Veda Vedic verses Viṣņu Vyasa word worship