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


Excerpts are available at the UC Press website and through Amazon, and I have also been highlighting the original artwork commissioned for the book and posting passages from the sources on my blog.

Happy holidays and stay safe,

Michael

Michael Slouber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, South Asian Studies
Global Humanities and Religions
Western Washington University