Author: Seema Mohanty
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 148
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0670057738
Description
One of the most unconventional yet immensely popular deities in the Hindu pantheon. Kali essentially represents the dark and contrary aspects of the cosmos. Her naked form and association with violence, blood and gore challenge the very concept of divinity. Yet, over the centuries, she has come to represent a whole gamut of conflicting images –from bloodthirsty ogress to benign goddess. So today while she is venerated as Chamunda, who verges on the macabre and grotesque, she is also adored in household shrines in one of her milder forms, Dakshina-Kali.
It is this evolution of Kali-from her origin as a tantric goddess to her metamorphosis into a divinity in mainstream religion-that Seema Mohanty captures brilliantly in this book. Drawing upon a variety of sources-tales from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras and Agamas, folklore and films-she has succeeded in portraying in engrossing detail the myriad manifestations of the enigmatic deity that is Kali.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
The Form
The Manifestations
The Tales
The Worship
The Origin
The Metamorphosis
The Wisdom
Conclusion
Hymns
Acknowledgements