{"product_id":"tantric-visions-of-the-divine-feminine-the-ten-mahavidyas-9780520204997","title":"Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas","description":"The Hindu pantheon is rich in images of the divine feminine-deities representing a wide range of symbolic, social, and meditative meanings. David Kinsley's new book documents a highly unusual group of ten Hindu tantric goddesses, the Mahavidyas, many of whom are strongly associated with sexuality and violence. What is one to make of a goddess who cuts her own head off, or one who prefers sex with a corpse? The Mahavidyas embody habits, attributes, or identities usually considered repulsive or socially subversive and can be viewed as \"antimodels\" for women. Yet 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 which help to project one's consciousness beyond the socially acceptable or predictable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing on a broad range of Sanskrit and vernacular texts as well as extensive research in India, including written and oral interpretations of contemporary Hindu practitioners, Kinsley describes the unusual qualities of each of the Mahavidyas and traces the parallels between their underlying themes. Especially valuable are the many rare and fascinating images he presents-each important to grasping the significance of the goddesses. Written in an accessible, engaging style, Kinsley's book provides a comprehensive understanding of the Mahavidyas and is also an overview of Hindu tantric practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=AUTH-10415155\"\u003eDavid Kinsley\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of California Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/18\/1997\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 289\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.09lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.02h x 6.05w x 0.95d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780520204997\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0520204999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBISAC Categories:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL024000\"\u003eEastern\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL062000\"\u003eSpirituality\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-SOC\"\u003eSocial Science\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-SOC028000\"\u003eWomen's Studies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDavid Kinsley\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor of Religion at McMaster University, Canada. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eHindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition\u003c\/i\u003e (California, 1985), and \u003ci\u003eThe Sword and the Flute: Kali and Krisna, Dark Visions of the Terrible and Sublime in Hindu Mythology\u003c\/i\u003e (California, 1975).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"University of California Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44443334312173,"sku":"9780520204997","price":53.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/8097\/6621\/products\/img_b73e08ef-f5f7-4567-9967-ffd10a28f9df.jpg?v=1700228644","url":"https:\/\/sureshotbooks.com\/products\/tantric-visions-of-the-divine-feminine-the-ten-mahavidyas-9780520204997","provider":"SureShot Books Publishing LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}