Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the publication of A Garland of Forgotten Goddesses: Tales of the Feminine Divine from India and Beyond (UC Press).

It is an anthology of primary source stories, each followed with a brief essay describing the historical and social context. I designed it as a teaching resource, but it also highlights cutting-edge research since none of these sources were previously available in translation (and several had never been published in their original languages).  A diverse range of sources includes a passage from the c.6th century Skanda Purana, exciting narratives and visualization guides from early-medieval Tantras, literature from Nepal and Indonesia highlighting women and their relationship with goddesses, local Puranas, songs, and stories translated from modern booklets marketed to pilgrims.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

I Demons and Battle

1. Bhadrakāḷī: Slaying the Demon in the Backwaters — Noor van Brussel

2. Cāmuṇḍi and Uttanahaḷḷi: Sisters of the Mysuru Hills — Caleb Simmons

3. Kauśikī: The Virgin Demon-Slayer — Judit Törzsök

4. The Seven Mothers: Origin Tales from Two Early-Medieval Purāṇas — Shaman Hatley

II Miracles and Devotees

5. Svasthānī: Goddess of One’s Own Place — Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz

6. Kailā Devī: The Great Goddess as Local Avatar of Miracles — R. Jeremy Saul

7. Bahucarā Mātā: She Who Roams Widely — Darry Dinnell

8. Rāṣṭrasenā: Hawk Goddess of the Mewar Mountains — Adam Newman

III Tantras and Magic

9. Rangda in the Calon Arang: A Tale of Magic — Thomas M. Hunter and Ni Wayan Pasek Ariati

10. Tvaritā: The Swift Goddess — Michael Slouber

11. Kāmeśvarī: Visualizing the Goddess of Desire — Anna A. Golovkova

12. Avyapadeśyā: Indefinable Kālī — Olga Serbaeva

Glossary

List of Names (Deities and Characters)

Primary Sources

Bibliography