Shakti: An Exploration of the Divine Feminine

by Nilima Chitgopekar

Exploring the complex and rich tradition of Goddess worship across the Indian subcontinent.

She is benevolent and nurturing, yet fierce and terrible, a warrior and a lover. She creates and gives life, is death personified, and the one who grants eternal salvation. She is the ultimate form of reality, the cosmos. As the Saundaryalahiri says, "Only when Shiva joins with you, O Shakti, can he exert his powers as lord, on his own he has not even the power to stir. You are worshipped by Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and other gods. How dare I, meritless mortal, offer you reverence and praise?" The Goddess inspires deep devotion and it is not surprising to see Her being worshipped and revered across homes in India.

Shakti will delve into this rich tradition of the Divine Feminine as She is represented across India and the subcontinent. Shakti will be a one-of-a-kind linear exploration of Goddess worship, neither a basic guide nor a dense academic treatise. Instead, it will invite the reader to learn about the Shakta culture, while telling the story of its birth and evolution, the many manifestations of the Goddess and their worship, and the myths, legends, and rituals that make up the tradition. This title will position itself as the first point of entry for anyone interested in the world of the Devi and Her culture.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, History

392 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2022

About the author

Nilima Chitgopekar is an associate professor in the department of history at Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University. She has many books and several articles and essays on Hindu gods and other related matters. She has been the recipient of prestigious fellowships from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, the Charles Wallace India Trust and USIS, and has lectured widely in India and overseas.

Chitgopekar has also worked with the BBC and been featured in their documentaries and radio programmes. More recently, in her attempt to take Hindu mythology to a far larger audience, she has been involved in making several online films of her lectures, which have sold worldwide.

Reviews

[Barun Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book with in-depth research & lots of content in the form of high quality photos & use of glossy paper.
Being a worshipper of the Devi, I was always fascinated to know how SHE emerged & her worship spread across India & how its philosophy & rituals are completely different from the mainstream male Hindu gods.
The author moves step by step from the beginning of civilisation in India to the present day & showcases with thorough research how the worship of Devi predates most notions of her existence as many of us believe. A book to treasure & return back to from time to time & display with pride in your library/shelf.

[Adityatej · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the quality. I promise my reading of this was not for performative purposes but as part of a larger project to read all the lovely coffee table books in my house that go largely untouched, functioning mostly as display pieces. This is a lovely little book with amazing artwork and page quality on the hardcover. This piece is best enjoyed slowly, over a long period of time, with various beverages, snacks, and fat beagles keeping you company. I personally spent around a month or two reading this, because I would only read this at a specific time of the day on a weekend at home, with a specific set of circumstances. This book is perfect to read for a bit, keep to the side, and come back to a week or two later with little to no continuity issues. It is also highly informative, engaging, and fun - especially for someone like me who wants to learn more about their country's rich cultural history and traditions.

[Amruta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book revolves around the very source of creation of this universe which is knowingly or unknowingly put on a back burner currently. Being Bharatiya, I felt that this one was a revision of most of the stories from upanishad and vedas. But the real delight was the proofs of divine feminine power from our written texts which are never told to us. Covers most of Hindu and sister religions goddesses. Overall it was an informative read.

[Shreya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read. It helped me understand the various goddesses that were reduced to their association with male deities. The researchers did not call out castism outrightly but only pointed to it. The book helped me make sense of times where there was a predominantly pastoral life, monarchy and war and how such times shaped how the feminine was looked at. It is a well researched book but lacked boldness.

[Sunil Kumar]

Was interesting. Lots of information albeit with an Indological lens. More appreciation for 'Shakti'. Finished it on Ashtami, another 'native' ode to the power of the divine feminine. The purity of the Bharatiya Parv unencumbered with this cerebral baggage.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. The goddesses of India were quite fascinating. Very colorful pictures.