A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses: Tales of the Feminine Divine from India and Beyond

by Michael Slouber (Editor)

Overview

Imagining the divine as female is rare—even controversial—in most religions. Hinduism, by contrast, preserves a rich and continuous tradition of goddess worship. A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses conveys the diversity of this tradition by bringing together a fresh array of captivating and largely overlooked Hindu goddess tales from different regions. As the first such anthology of goddess narratives in translation, this collection highlights a range of sources from ancient myths to modern lore. The goddesses featured here battle demons, perform miracles, and grant rare Tantric visions to their devotees. Each translation is paired with a short essay that explains the goddess’s historical and social context, elucidating the ways religion adapts to changing times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520375741
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	12/22/2020
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	374
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Michael Slouber is Associate Professor of South Asian Studies at Western Washington University and the author of Early Tantric Medicine.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction 

Part One. Demons and Battle
1. Bhadrakālī: Slaying the Demon in the Backwaters
Noor van Brussel
2. Cāmundi and Uttanahalli: Sisters of the Mysuru Hills
Caleb Simmons
3. Kauśikī: The Virgin Demon Slayer
Judit Törzsök
4. The Seven Mothers: Origin Tales from Two Early Medieval Purānas
Shaman Hatley

Part Two. Miracles and Devotees
5. Svasthānī: Goddess of One’s Own Place
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz
6. Kailā Devī: The Great Goddess as Local Avatar of Miracles
R. Jeremy Saul
7. Bahucarā Mātā: She Who Roams Widely
Darry Dinnell
8. Rāstrasenā: Hawk Goddess of the Mewar Mountains
Adam Newman

Part Three. Tantras and Magic
9. Rangda in the Calon Arang: A Tale of Magic
Thomas M. Hunter and Ni Wayan Pasek Ariati
10. Tvaritā: The Swift Goddess
Michael Slouber
11. Kāmeśvarī: Visualizing the Goddess of Desire
Anna A. Golovkova
12. Avyapadeśyā: Indefinable Kālī
Olga Serbaeva

Glossary
List of Deities and Characters
Primary Sources
References
List of Contributors
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses is a resplendent work on lesser explored goddess traditions that, through these English translations, are rendered accessible to a larger audience. It is laudable for reading the diverse traditions in their own light. . . . a valuable source to students, scholars, and readers of the Indian goddess traditions, South Asian studies, Indology, and Hindu studies."

Asian Affairs

"A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses is a welcome supplement to the crowded subfield of studies on Hindu goddesses. It is certain to adorn syllabi and reading lists of both undergraduate classes on Hinduism and more advanced seminars on female divinities. Its contributors deserve many garlands and accolades for being part of this fine work."

Reading Religion

"The volume offers impactful contributions to discussions of religion, culture, history, literature, and gender. The artful translations and studies remain accessible to the lay audience for which the work is intended (though perhaps slightly challenging in the more academic sections), while also offering unique content that will appeal to specialists in the field."

Religion