This vibrant collection presents 145 brief Bengali lyric poems dedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma. These poems-many of which are presented here for the first time in English translation-were written from the early eighteenth century up to the contemporary period. They represent the unique Bengali tradition of goddess worship (Saktism) as it developed over this period. Included are forty poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen (c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet Kaji Nazrul Islam. McDermott's lucid introduction places these works in their historical context and shows how images of the goddesses evolved over the centuries. Her lively translations of these poetic lyrics evoke the passion and devotion of the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on the history and practice of goddess worship.
About the Author
Rachel Fell McDermott is Assistant Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard Collage. She is the author of Mother of My Heart, Daughter of My Dreams: Kali and Uma in the Devotional Poetry of Bengal (OUP, 2001).
Contents:
Introduction Pathways to the Sakta Poetry: Sources, Precedents, and Influences Poet for the Goddess Family Resemblances: Sakta Padavali as Bhakti Poetry The Challenges and Choices in Designing an Anthology Notes on Transliteration, Translation, and Word Definition The Poems Kali among the Corpses: Poem of Battle The Cosmic Goddess of Transformation The Magician's Daughter and her playful deceptions "What kind of Mother Are you?" Cries of Complaint Petitioning the Compassionate "Oh My Mind!": Instructing the self Prioritizing Paths: Tantra, Devotion, and Ritual The Experience of Kundalini Yoga In Defiance of Death Adoring the daughter: Agamani and Vijaya Poems for Uma Notes A guide to selected names, terms, and texts Discography Index of poems by author and first line (English) Index of poems by author and first line (Bengali)
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Vedas (1376)
Upanishads (666)
Puranas (831)
Ramayana (894)
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Dharmasastras (164)
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Shiva (331)
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Fiction (44)
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