Book of Durga

A concise and compelling read. The author has packed a lot in under 125 pages which touch on many aspects of this fascinating deity: her treatment in hindu scriptures, mythology & sanskrit literature, her representation in sculpture & painting, the words used to describe her (including the likely origin & meaning behind them), and the manner in which she has been worshipped at different times. In recounting the story of Durga, as rendered in the most popular text doing so- the Devi Mahatmya - the author fully displays the narrative felicity for which she is now well-known.The book leaves the reader wanting more. One hopes that in a later work the author will move beyond the evident size constraints imposed by the publishers of these series and expand on some of the tantalizing aspects of the deity that call for elaboration. At least four such points suggest themselves: the plausible meaning(s) underlying visual representation of the Devi dancing on the body of a prostrate Shiva, the treatment of Durga in prose and poetry beyond religious and quasi-religious texts, the sharply different and somewhat disturbing treatment of the Devi story in the South Indian tradition and the very odd positioning and descriptions of the Devi(s) in the Tantric traditions. Another interesting possibility would be a purely chronological rendering of the Devi story as it got shaped in texts and visual representations with a commentary on the likely motivation behind the sequential changes.That such a short book can so deeply engage even a casual reader says a lot about both the subject and the author. Strongly recommended.

I am fascinated by the goddess herself, and by the author. Because the author presents the goddess very well. The author explores the goddess in every possible ways I think, and shows it's connection with Indian people, society and history. She also discusses the goddess in present social views.I haven't seen goddess Durga in such an inspiring way with too such a depth. I am thankful to Nilima Chitgopekar that she wrote this book. I will read her another book "The Idea of Shiva, Rudra" definitely. :)

good book and must buy to understand the mother goddess

Worth a read

Very well written. You don't want to put it down. I wish Nilima Chitgopekar would write another book which dwells into some of the areas she refers to in even greater depth. Thanks Amazon.

The media could not be loaded. The book is incomplete. Pages are missing from 29-32 and makes no sense reading a half baked book.

Good analysis