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In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning
About 16 centuries ago, an unknown Indian author or authors gathered together the diverse threads of already ancient traditions and wove them into a verbal tapestry that today is still the central text for worshippers of the Hindu Devi, the Divine Mother. This spiritual classic, the Devimahatmya, addresses the perennial questions of the nature of the universe, humankind, and divinity. How are they related, how do we live in a world torn between good and evil, and how do we find lasting satisfaction and inner peace?
These questions and their answers form the substance of the Devimahatmya. Its narrative of a dispossessed king, a merchant betrayed by the family he loves, and a seer whose teaching leads beyond existential suffering sets the stage for a trilogy of myths concerning the all-powerful Divine Mother, Durga, and the fierce battles she wages against throngs of demonic foes. In these allegories, her adversaries represent our all-too-human impulses toward power, possessions, and pleasure. The battlefields symbolize the field of human consciousness on which our lives' dramas play out in joy and sorrow, in wisdom and folly.
The Devimahatmya speaks to us across the ages of the experiences and beliefs of our ancient ancestors. We sense their enchantment at nature's bounty and their terror before its destructive fury, their recognition of the good and evil in the human heart, and their understanding that everything in our experience is the expression of a greater reality, personified as the Divine Mother.
These questions and their answers form the substance of the Devimahatmya. Its narrative of a dispossessed king, a merchant betrayed by the family he loves, and a seer whose teaching leads beyond existential suffering sets the stage for a trilogy of myths concerning the all-powerful Divine Mother, Durga, and the fierce battles she wages against throngs of demonic foes. In these allegories, her adversaries represent our all-too-human impulses toward power, possessions, and pleasure. The battlefields symbolize the field of human consciousness on which our lives' dramas play out in joy and sorrow, in wisdom and folly.
The Devimahatmya speaks to us across the ages of the experiences and beliefs of our ancient ancestors. We sense their enchantment at nature's bounty and their terror before its destructive fury, their recognition of the good and evil in the human heart, and their understanding that everything in our experience is the expression of a greater reality, personified as the Divine Mother.
593 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 13, 2018
Useful in bringing context to a great spiritual scripture that I've only experienced devotionally in the past. The introduction is very accessible and enjoyable to read. I found the commentaries to be a bit dry and academic, which is fine, but a little dense to wade through. For anyone in Chandi practice, I highly recommend.
February 23, 2024
Beautiful
This beautiful hymn to Maa Durga will relieve us of all afflictions in life. May Durga Maa continue to bless us immensely through this beautiful hymn.
This beautiful hymn to Maa Durga will relieve us of all afflictions in life. May Durga Maa continue to bless us immensely through this beautiful hymn.
July 29, 2014
Excellent rendition of the Devimahatmya.
February 7, 2019
Interesante
Un libro que se tiene que leer para entender a shakti y su filosofía en la corriente tantrica. Es un lectura complicada pero que vale la pena
Un libro que se tiene que leer para entender a shakti y su filosofía en la corriente tantrica. Es un lectura complicada pero que vale la pena
July 5, 2024
It was my guide to understanding the Shakta text, beautifully explained without diluting the meaning
February 23, 2024
This book is a complete translation and elaboration and explanation of the deeper spiritual significance of the Devimahatmya, which was written close to 16 centuries ago for those who worship the Devi. Devotees are also known as Shakta followers, who keep the Divine Mother and the divine feminine as their central form of worship.
The text is written as a narrative that follows a king, a merchant, and a seer, and the stories that evolve around Mother Durga.
A beautiful book for sadhana, if you are seeking to understand more about Devi.
The text is written as a narrative that follows a king, a merchant, and a seer, and the stories that evolve around Mother Durga.
A beautiful book for sadhana, if you are seeking to understand more about Devi.
January 19, 2022
Fantastic introduction to Shaktism, albeit I would highly recommend you have a clear understanding of terminology and philosophies/sects before reading as this is a bit too advanced if you’re just starting to learn a little bit about Hinduism. I read this as a spiritual seeker with a passion for Eastern spirituality and it was fascinating and very thorough, would definitely recommend.
November 1, 2021
A book for scholars and practitioners alike
Wonderful translation. Devadatta Kālī maintains a near scholarly objectivity in his presentation without losing his faith. The support for Shaktism comes through in a wonderful and educated way.
Wonderful translation. Devadatta Kālī maintains a near scholarly objectivity in his presentation without losing his faith. The support for Shaktism comes through in a wonderful and educated way.
January 25, 2021
The translation is engaging, and the commentary strikes a wonderful balance of devotional and literary perspectives. This is especially helpful in illuminating the significance and context of the Devi's names, weapons, and attributes, as they are many. I really appreciated the inclusion of the angas as well.
October 31, 2023
Insightful
November 24, 2024
Literally stunning. Thank God for the Chandi and this beautiful translation and commentary. A desert island book fs.
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February 22, 2018The spiritual classic, the Devimahatmya, is a central text for worshippers of the Hindu Goddess Devi. Written about 16 centuries ago, it addresses the perennial questions of the nature of the universe, humankind, and divinity. This is the first translation of the Devimahatmya to combine sound scholarship, the language skills of a native English speaker, and an insider's perspective based on 35 years of spiritual practice within the Hindu tradition.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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