Shakti

Realm of the Divine Mother

Vanamali

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Paperback

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English

Inner Traditions Bear and Company
21 July 2008

Hinduism

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.

By: Vanamali
Imprint: Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 628g
ISBN: 9781594771996
ISBN 10: 1594771995
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 21 July 2008
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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

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.

Reviews for Shakti: Realm of the Divine Mother

""This is an excellent introduction into the world of Hindu culture, easy to understand, yet filled with details that will titillate your mind and imagination."" * Sonia von Matt Stoddard, Awareness Magazine, Vol. 16 No.1, Jan/Feb 2009 * ""A thoroughly interesting and memorable book."" * Yoga Magazine, Nov 2008 * "" . . . what makes this book different is that Vanamali goes beyond the stories of over thirty avatars in order to discuss the esoteric significance of each incarnation. Vanamali has accomplished the gargantuan task of bringing the many different aspects of Devi into a single book. . . . spectacularly researched . . . "" * Sunitha Jayan, Feminist Review, Nov 2008 * ""Too often, our sources of information about the Hindu Great Mother arise from Western authors. These authros, no matter how sincere, tinge their works with Western ideas. Vanamali moves us past that blockage. Her understandings are authentic and innate, steeped in the cultural frame she's lived amid. Vanamali takes us beyond the superficial into a deep understanding of the divine balance between Shakti and Shiva."" * Moondance, Feb 2009 *