The Devi Gita: The Song of the Goddess: A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary

by C. Mackenzie Brown

Overview

This translation and commentary on an important Hindu text on the Great Goddess envisions a universe created and protected by a compassionate female deity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791439401
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	09/11/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	404
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

C. Mackenzie Brown is Professor of Religion at Trinity University. His previous books include The Triumph of the Goddess: The Canonical Models and Theological Visions of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana, also published by SUNY Press, and God as Mother: A Feminine Theology in India; An Historical and Theological Study of the Brahmavaivarta Purana.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

A Note on the Translation

Navasloki Devi Gita: The Essential Devi Gita in Nine Verses

Chapter 1
The Appearance of the Great Goddess Before the Mountain King Himalaya and the Gods

Chapter 2
The Goddess as the Supreme Cause of Creation

Chapter 3
The Goddess Reveals Her Cosmic Body (The Viraj)

Chapter 4
Instruction in the Yoga of Knowledge

Chapter 5
Instruction in the Eight-limbed/Kundalini Yoga

Chapter 6
The Goal of the Yogas: Knowledge of Brahman

Chapter 7
Instruction in the Yoga of Devotion

Chapter 8
Further Instruction in the Yoga of Devotion: The Sacred Sites, Rites, and Festivals of the Goddess

Chapter 9
Vedic and Internal Forms of Goddess Worship

Chapter 10
The Tantric Form of Goddess Worship and the Disappearance of the Great Goddess

Afterword

Appendix: Verse Index of the Epithets and Names of the Goddess

Sanskrit Text

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

Provides a translation, with introduction, commentary, and annotation, of the medieval Hindu Sanskrit text the Devi Gita (Song of the Goddess), an important but not well-known text from the rich Sakta (Goddess) tradition of India, composed around the 15th century C.E. The text is divided into sections of verses, and each section is followed by a comment explaining key terms, concepts, ritual procedures, and mythic themes. Commentary also compares the text with related schools of thought. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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