The rise of the Goddess in the Hindu tradition /
This book explores the rise of the Great Goddess by focusing on the development of sakti (creative energy), maya (objective illusion), and prakrti (materiality) from Vedic times to the late Puranic period, clarifying how these principles became central to her theology
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
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Albany :
State University of New York Press,
c1994
Albany, N.Y. : 1994 Albany, N.Y. : c1994 Albany, N.Y. : ©1994 Albany, N.Y. : [1994] |
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Table of Contents:
- 1. The Feminine Principle in the Vedas. Cosmogony, Cosmology, and Goddesses in the Vedas. Samhitas. The Waters. Earth. Aditi. Viraj. Vac (And Sarasvati). Saci/Indrani. Brahmanas. The Waters. Earth/Aditi/Viraj. Vac/Sarasvati. Indrani. Upanisads. The Waters. Earth. Vac
- 2. Prakrti, Maya, and Sakti: The Feminine Principle in Philosophical Discourse. Prakrti. The Term Prakrti in Early Vedic, Grammatical, and Ritual Contexts. Prakrti as a Material Principle. Prakrti in Vedic and Proto-Samkhya Contexts. The Marriage of Vedic and Proto-Samkhya Materials in the Mahabharata. Prakrti in Classical Samkhya. Maya. Maya in Vedic and Early Post-Vedic Contexts. Maya in Advaita Vedanta. Sakli. Vedic Roots. Sakti in Philosophical Literature. Sakti in Grammatical Literature. Sakti in Tantric Literature
- 3. The Feminine Principle in Puranic Cosmogony and Cosmology. Introduction to the Goddess Materials in the Epics and Puranas. The Devi-Mahatmya. Cosmogony and Goddesses in the Puranas
- Introduction. Setting the stage ; Textual issues ; Summary of the book
- The feminine principle in the Vedas. Cosmogony, cosmology, and goddesses in the Vedas ; Saṃhitās ; Brāhmaṇas ; Upaniṣads
- Prakṛti, Māyā, and Śakti: the feminine principle in philosophical discourse. Prakṛti ; Māyā ; Śakti
- The feminine principle in Purāṇic cosmogony and cosmology. Introduction to the goddess materials in the epics and Purāṇas ; The devil-Māhātmya ; Cosmogony and goddesses in the Purāṇas ; Primary creation (Sarga): basic cosmogony ; Secondary creation (Pratisarga) ; The explicit introduction of the feminine element in creation: Prakṛti/Śakti as the consort of God ; Integration of the feminine principle in accounts of cosmogony: Sarga and Pratisarga
- Concluding remarks. Resume ; Further implications of the study: historical and socio-political implications ; Further implications of the study: cultural implications
- 1 The Feminine Principle in the Vedas. Cosmogony, Cosmology, and Goddesses in the Vedas. Samhitas. The Waters. Earth. Aditi. Viraj. Vac (And Sarasvati). Saci/Indrani. Brahmanas. The Waters. Earth/Aditi/Viraj. Vac/Sarasvati. Indrani. Upanisads. The Waters. Earth. Vac
- 2. Prakrti, Maya, and Sakti: The Feminine Principle in Philosophical Discourse. Prakrti. The Term Prakrti in Early Vedic, Grammatical, and Ritual Contexts. Prakrti as a Material Principle. Prakrti in Vedic and Proto-Samkhya Contexts. The Marriage of Vedic and Proto-Samkhya Materials in the Mahabharata. Prakrti in Classical Samkhya. Maya. Maya in Vedic and Early Post-Vedic Contexts. Maya in Advaita Vedanta. Sakli. Vedic Roots. Sakti in Philosophical Literature. Sakti in Grammatical Literature. Sakti in Tantric Literature
- 3. The Feminine Principle in Puranic Cosmogony and Cosmology. Introduction to the Goddess Materials in the Epics and Puranas. The Devi-Mahatmya. Cosmogony and Goddesses in the Puranas. Primary Creation (Sarga): Basic Cosmogony. Samkhya-Type Accounts of Cosmogony. Reconciliation of Competing Philosophical Systems in Accounts of Primary Creation. Secondary Creation (Pratisarga). Creation of the Worlds. Creation of Progeny. The Explicit Introduction of the Feminine Element in Creation: Prakrti/Sakti as the Consort of God. References Outside of Accounts of Cosmogony. Integration of the Feminine Principle in Accounts of Cosmogony: Sarga and Pratisarga. Vaisnava Puranas and Vaisnava Sections of Cross-Sectarian Puranas. Saiva Puranas and Saiva Sections of Cross-Sectarian Puranas. Sakta Puranas. 4. Concluding Remarks. Resume. Contextual Issues. Thematic Issues. Historical Issues. Interpretive Issues. Further Implications of the Study: Historical and Socio-Political Implications. Further Implications of the Study: Cultural Implications. The Relationship Between Goddesses and Women. The Ambiguous Goddess. The Ambiguous Female: From Divine to Human.
- Primary Creation (Sarga): Basic Cosmogony. Samkhya-Type Accounts of Cosmogony. Reconciliation of Competing Philosophical Systems in Accounts of Primary Creation. Secondary Creation (Pratisarga). Creation of the Worlds. Creation of Progeny. The Explicit Introduction of the Feminine Element in Creation: Prakrti/Sakti as the Consort of God. References Outside of Accounts of Cosmogony. Integration of the Feminine Principle in Accounts of Cosmogony: Sarga and Pratisarga. Vaisnava Puranas and Vaisnava Sections of Cross-Sectarian Puranas. Saiva Puranas and Saiva Sections of Cross-Sectarian Puranas. Sakta Puranas
- 4. Concluding Remarks. Resume. Contextual Issues. Thematic Issues. Historical Issues. Interpretive Issues. Further Implications of the Study: Historical and Socio-Political Implications. Further Implications of the Study: Cultural Implications. The Relationship Between Goddesses and Women. The Ambiguous Goddess. The Ambiguous Female: From Divine to Human