Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas - Softcover

David Kinsley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8120815238 ISBN 13: 9788120815230

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass,, 2016

Synopsis

What is one to make of a group of goddesses that includes a goddess who cuts her own head off, a goddess who sits on a corpse while pulling the tongue of a demon, or a goddess who prefers sex with corpses? Tantra visions of the Divine Faminine deals with a group of ten Hindu tantric goddesses, the Mahavidyas, who embody habits, attributes, or identities, usually considered repulsive or socially subversive. It is within the context of tantric worship that devotees seek to identify themselves with these forbidding goddesses. The Mahavidyas, who embody habits, attributes, or identities, usually considered repulsive or socially subversive. It is within the context of tantric worship that devotees seek to identify themselves with these forbidding goddesses. The Mahavidyas seem to function as "awakeners" - symbols that help to project one's consciousness beyond the socially acceptable or predictable. Kinsley not only describes the eccentric qualities of each of these goddesses, but seeks to interpret the Mahavidyas as a group and to explain their importance for understanding Tantra and the Hindu tradition.

About this title

Review:

This is a far-ranging and impressively comprehensive book... Kinsley's book will set a new standard for the kind of thorough scholarship that can and ideally should be brought to bear upon the interpretation of Hindu goddesses and Tantric deities. --Miranda Shaw

A wonderful study of these of fascinating and clorful goddessess.. Readable and engaging...this is a very important work. --Kathleen Erndl

Synopsis:

Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine deal with a group often Hindu Tantric goddesses, the Mahavidyas, who embody habits, attributes or identities usually considered repulsive or socially subversive. It is within the context of tantric worship that devotees seek to identify themselves with these forbidding goddesses.

About this edition

• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass,
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 8120815238
• ISBN 13: 9788120815230
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 328