MAHISHASURAMARDINI IN INDIAN ART
MAHISHASURAMARDINI IN INDIAN ART
IDG554

by SHANTI LAL NAGAR
Hardcover (Edition: 1988)

Rakesh Goel on behalf of Aditya Prakashan,
ISBN 8185179093

Size: 9.9" X 7.4"
Pages: 284

Our Price: $35.00

Out of Print
 

About the Book :

The cult of Mahishasuramardini is of considerable antiquity. Its genesis could be traced from the vedic literature. The great Epic Mahabharatha and the Puranas have given varied but vivid accounts of not only the origin of the Goddess but also of the Mahishasura, besides her exploits. The author besides highlighting the descriptions of the Goddess as per Puranic texts, he also discussed in considerable length the emergence and representation of the Goddess in Indian plastic art through the ages. Her travels beyond the through the ages. Her travels beyond the Indian frontiers in the countries like Afghanistan, Sri-Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, Java, Bangladesh, Nepal and as far as Japan, have been vividly described in Sanskrit Literature and even Persian works. An attempt has also been made to bring out the historical aspects connected with the episode, in addition to highlighting the fabulous aspects. For the convenience of the reader, the work has been studded with seven appendices, containing basic information relating to the Tantric and other aspects of the Goddess.

The Publication has 82 Photographs, depicting the Goddess's presence in the entire length and breadth of the country form the dawn of Christian era to the 19th century A.D.

About the Author:

The author has been one time Curator of the Central Asian Antiquities Museum, Nalanda Museum and Indian Museum, Calcutta and has to his credit documentation of over 10,000 antiquities in the Nalanda Museum, and over 40,000 antiquities in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, besides being author of three publications with Archaeological Survey of India. He is also the author of another work "The Universal Mother",which is likely to come out shortly. His other works awaiting publications are "The Composite Deities in Indian Art," "Muslim Sanskrit-Scholars," which are nearing completion. He was also awarded the fellowship with Indian Council of Historical Research, on the project Temples of Himachal Pradesh - A Study".

CONTENTS

1.The Concept1
2.The Legends13
(1)Mahishasuramardini as described in :-
(a) Vedic literature 13
(b) Upanishadas14
(c) Mahabharata16
(d) Puranas16
(i) Markandeya Purana16
(ii) Devi Mahatmya17
(iii) Vamana Purana 19
(iv) Devi Bhagavata Purana 21
(v) Siva Purana22
(vi) Skanda Purana23
(vii) Varaha purana26
(viii) Siva Purana26
(2) The Vehicle27
(3) Costumes and ornaments28
(4) The Asuras29
(5) The Birth of Mahishasura as described in :-34
(a) Varaha Purana34
(b) Vamana Purana 35
(c) Devi Bhagvata Purana37
(d) Devi Purana37
(6) The Messenger37
(a) Devi Mahatmya37
(b) Varaha Purana38
(c) vamana Purana39
(d) Devi Bhagvata Purana39
(e) Skanada Purana40
(7) The Great vow :40
(a) Devi Mahatmya40
(b) Varaha Purana40
(c) Vamana Purana41
(8) Diplomatic excellence41
(9) Emergency meeting of advisers and ministers42
(10) The Democratic approach to problems43
(11) The army of Asura43
(12) The Army of the Goddess46
(13) The Armoury46
(14) The Preparations for the battle47
(15) The troops band47
(16) The Battle Field48
(17) The Battle Scene (destruction of Asura's army)48
(18) The end of Mahishasura49
(a) Devi Mahatmya49
(b) Devi Bhagavata Purana50
(c) Markandeya Purana51
(d) Vamana Purana51
(e) Devi Purana51
(f) Varaha Purana51
(g) Vedicliterature51
3.Historical overtones58
4.The Goddess in Ancient Literature66
5.The Goddess in Indian Epigraphical Records67
6.Sense of devotion and its Emergence69
(a) Genesis and evolution of the image worship in India70
(b) Material used in image making71
(c) The installation of images73
(d) Aniconic veneration of images74
(e) Archaeological evidence74
7.Emergence of the Goddess in Indian plastic art76
(1) Two armed77
(2) Four armed78
(3) Six armed81
(4) Eight armed82
(5) Ten armed88
(6) Twelve armed90
(7) Sixteen armed90
(8) Eighteen armed92
(9) Twenty armed92
(10) Thirty two armed93
8.The Goddess beyond Indian Frontiers 97
(i) Nubia98
(ii) NWFP98
(iii) Afghanistan98
(iv) Sri Lanka99
(v) Indonesia-Java100
(vi) Bangladesh101
(vii) Kampuchea101
(viii) Nepal101
(ix) Japan101
9.Iconography :104
(1) Facial features105
(2) Head dress of mukutas106
(3) Eyes108
(4) Hair108
(5) Ornaments108
(6) Costumes112
(7) Complexion112
(8) Physical features112
(9) Attributes112
(10) Destructive weapons112
(11) Musical Instruments113
(12) Mudras113
(13) Other objects113
(14) Arms115
(a) Two-armed115
(b) Four armed117
(c) Six armed118
(d) Eight armed118
(e) Ten armed118
(f) Twelve armed119
(g) Sixteen armed119
(h) Eighteen armed119
(i) Twenty armed120
(j) Thirty two armed120
(k) Thousand armed120
(l) Forest of arms120
(15) Postures:-121
(1) Standing postures121
(2) Alidha or pratyalidhaposture121
(16) Vehicle123
10.Mahishasuramardini in Jainism128
11.The Goddess in Buddhism132
12.Historical back-ground of theTantras133
13.Sakti Pithas144
14.Fabulous Aspects153
15.Epilogue165
APPENDICES
1.List of Pithas in Pithanirnaya170
2.List of Pithas (Mahapithas) and Upapithas inSivacharita173
3.List of Pithas as described in Devi Bhagavata Purana.176
4.Iconography of the Goddess in selectd Sanskrit texts.
(i) Puranas183
(ii) Agama Literature189
(iii) Other Texts191
5.Chakras and yantras as per Rudra Yamala Tantra196
(i) Vishnu-Chakram197
(ii) Siva-Chakram198
(iii) Brahama-Chakram199
(iv) Daiva-Chakaram200
(v) Ulka-Chakram201
(vi) Kaladi-Chakram202
(vii) Chatush-Chakram203
(viii) Nakshtra-Chakram204
(ix) Sri-Chakram205
(x) Akadam Chakram206
6.List of plates210
7.Bibliography242
8.Index250
Review this item Review this item
Click to send this page through emailShare this Page with a friend
Click for Printer Friendly VersionPrinter Friendly Version