Presents the mystery of the Divine Mother in all her manifold aspects
• Explores more than 30 different goddess aspects of the Shakti force, both beneficial and malefic
• Includes Sanskrit hymns and classic verses by Sri Auribindo for each of the goddesses
Shakti is synonymous with the Devi, the Divine Mother or divine power that manifests, sustains, and transforms the universe. She is the womb of all creatures, and it is through her that the One becomes the many. Our first and primary relationship to the world is through the mother, the source of love, security, and nourishment. Extending this relationship to worship of a cosmic being as mother was a natural step found not only in the Shakti cult of Hinduism but also in ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian cultures.
Shakti presents more than 30 goddess incarnations of the Divine Mother that represent both the beneficial and malefic aspects of the Shakti force. From Lakshmi, Parvati, and Saraswati to Durga, Chandika, and Kali--each of the different functions of the female goddesses in the Hindu pantheon is revealed, accompanied by traditional Sanskrit hymns, classic verses by Sri Auribindo, and discussions of tantric philosophy. The author draws from the Devi Bhagavatham, which describes all the stories of Shakti, and the Devi Mahatmyam, the most powerful scriptural text that glorifies Shakti in her form as Durga. Using these texts she shows that through the power and grace of the Divine Mother we may be released from the darkness of ignorance and taken to the abode of knowledge, immortality, and bliss--the source from which we have come.
Autorentext
Mataji Devi Vanamali has written six books on the gods of the Hindu pantheon, including The Play of God and The Song of Rama, as well as translating the Bhagavad Gita. She is the founder and president of Vanamali Gita Yogashram, dedicated to sharing the wisdom of Sanatana Dharma and charitable service to children. She lives at the Vanamali ashram at Rishikesh in northern India.
Inhalt
Foreword by Swami Kriyananda
Introduction
1 Prakriti
2 Parameswari
3 Maha Devi
4 Rajarajeshwari
5 Maheswari
6 Parashakti
7 Lalitha
8 Tripurasundari
9 Kameswari
10 Durga
11 Chandika
12 Mahishasuramardini
13 Chamunda
14 Sati
15 Dakshayini
16 Parvati
17 Aparna
18 Gauri
19 Ganga
20 Kaali
21 Lakshmi
22 Saraswati
23 Radha
24 Tulasi
25 Sita
26 Savitri
27 Shivaduti
28 Adi Shakti
29 Maha Maya
30 Sri Chakra
31 Devi Kundalini
Appendix 1. Poems on the Divine Mother
Appendix 2. Hindu Scriptures
Appendix 3. Names of Goddesses
Appendix 4. Names of Gods
Appendix 5. Names of Demons (Asuras)
Appendix 6. Alphabetical List of Mantras
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
Bibliography
Index