Hindu goddesses: visions of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious tradition ; with a new preface

Goddess worship has long been a significant aspect of Hinduism. In this book David Kinsley, author of __The Sword and the Flute—Kali & Krsna: Dark Visions of the Terrible and the Sublime in Hindu Mythology__, sorts out the rich yet often chaotic history of Hindu goddess worship. Preface to the 1997 Printing Introduction 1. Goddesses in Vedic literature Usas Prthivl Aditi Sarasvatl Vac Nirrti Ratri Minor Vedic Goddesses Conclusion 2. Sri-Lak~mi The Early History of Sri-Lak~ml Sri-Lak~ml in Later Hinduism Sri-Lak~ml in the Pancaratra and Sri Vai~r tava Schools The Worship of Sri-Laksmi 3. Parvatl Early References to Parvatl The Mythology of Sati The Mythology of Parvatl Tension and Resolution Devotion and Grace 4. Sarasvati Sarasvati as a River Sarasvati in Later Hinduism 5. Sila The Early History of Slta Kings and the Fertility of the Earth The Ideal Wife Ideal Devotee and Intermediary 6. Radha The Early History of Radha The Gop!Tradition Radha as Belonging to Another (Paraklya) Radha as Belonging to Kn*Da (Svak!ya) 7. Durga The Warrior Goddess The Worship of Durga 8. Kall Early History The Later History and the Significance of Kall 9. The Mahadevl Central Theological and Philosophical Characteristics Mythological Characteristics and Functions Auspicious and Terrible Forms 10. The Matrkas The Early History of the Matrkas The Matrkas in the Later Tradition 11. Tara, Chinnamasta, and the Mahavidyas The Mahavidyas Tara Chinnamasta 12. Goddesses and Sacred Geography Earth as a Goddess/ India as a Goddess The Sakta Ptthas The Ganges and the Sacrality of Rivers 13. Village Goddesses The Local Rootedness of the Village Goddesses Mythological Themes Festivals Death, Disease, and Ambivalence Appendix: The Indus Valley Civilization Notes Bibliography Index Goddesses In Vedic Literature -- Sri-lakemi -- Parvati -- Savasvati -- Sita -- Radha --durga -- Kali -- The Mahadevi -- The Matrkas -- Tara, Chinnamasta, And The Mahavidyas -- Goddesses And Sacred Geography -- Village Goddesses -- Appendix: The Indus Valley Civilization. David Kinsley. Preface To The 1997 Printing--p. Ix. Originally Published: Berkeley : University Of California Press, 1986. With New Pref. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 253-263) And Index. Goddess worship has long been a significant aspect of Hinduism. In this book David Kinsley, author of The Sword and the Flute - Kali & Krsna: Dark Visions of the Terrible and the Sublime in Hindu Mythology, sorts out the rich yet often chaotic history of Hindu goddess worship The Hindu tradition affirms Vedic literature as the foundation, the sacred source, of Hinduism.