Devi The Devi Bhagavatam Retold

by Ramesh Menon

The Devi Bhagvatam is said to have been composed in Bengal in 6th Century. Legends, backgrounds on Devi, a Shakta Purana. Devi is Kali anad Durga, Mother of the Universe. an abridged literary rendering of the Bhagavatam, retells all major legends and stories.

Genres: Mythology, Religion, India, Hinduism, Nonfiction, Cultural

514 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2006

Reviews

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book claims to be telling all the stories and supplemental tales mentioned in the main tract in simple and modern language. Unfortunately, I found that rhe author has severly diluted the import of the text and has made it a soap opera with sexist dialogue and unidimensional characters. The language was neither poetic, nor devotional. The stories were told without placing them in proper context and annotations which they deserved.
Disappointed, really.

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devi: The Devi Bhagavatam Retold by Ramesh Menon is a sweeping, modern‑English retelling of the ancient Devi Bhagavatam (or Devi Bhagavata Purana), presenting the myths, legends and cosmic stories centered on the feminine divine, the Devi in an accessible, narrative form for contemporary readers. The book gathers many core tales: creation myths, the origin of sacred rivers, the goddess’s battles against demons (like Mahishasura and Rakthabija), the myriad forms of the Devi (Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Lakshmi and more), and the philosophical and devotional foundations of Shakta spirituality.

From my reading I felt this retelling as an invitation to wonder: the stories unfold with drama, vivid imagery, and a scope that reminds you of mythology’s power to awe and provoke. The portrayal of the Devi as both compassionate mother and fierce destroyer resonated deeply, capturing the dual nature of creation and destruction that defines much of cosmic myth. I appreciated how Menon does not shy away from the more intense, sometimes brutal legends: battles with demons, cosmic upheavals, moral lessons about karma and dharma, these give the narrative weight beyond fairy‑tale prettiness and remind the reader that divinity in the Indian tradition is raw, terrifying, and tender all at once.

At the same time I noticed the trade‑offs that come with making a sacred and vast text “readable.” Because it is an abridgement and retelling, some stories feel condensed and certain nuances, complex theological or symbolic layers are simplified. A number of reviewers have felt the prose loses the original’s devotional subtlety, and that some characters and stories emerge as flatter or more like conventional myths rather than living, spiritual experiences. For a reader unaccustomed to dense scripture, this might be a helpful introduction; for someone seeking a deep scholarly or devotional immersion, it might feel incomplete.

I rate Devi: The Devi Bhagavatam Retold 4 out of 5 stars. It moved me with its beauty, its scale and its bold embrace of myth in all its glory and terror. It feels like a loving doorway into the world of the Devi and Shakta mythology, not perfect, but powerful and heartfelt for anyone wanting to dip into these ancient tales.

[Never Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

a treat for mythology lovers. stories that uve only heard of...but never read !

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Devi bhagvatam is to shaktas, what Bhagvata Purana is to Vaishnavas". The writer could not have put it more precisely.
The sheer contrast between this Purana and the Devi Mahatmaya.. amazed me. The style of narration, the predominance of what we would nowadays call "Tantric" theme and the very potrayl of the Devi herself. Considering that this Purana was written in the 6CE and Devi Mahatmaya came much later in 400-500CE, it brings to light the very sanctification of religion ... that ending up corrupting it.

I haven't read the original sanskrit text, so I cannot comment upon how much the writer has deviated from ( or altered) the original.
The stories behind each of the Devi's names, her 1008 names themselves, stories of Vyasa and Suka, madhu kaitabha, chanda munda, mahishasura, sudarshana and shashikala, the origin of creation itself, Harishchandra and many more ... continued to entrance me.
Religion. To view religion as it is, naked, raw, pulsating and humbling. A treat indeed. Joi Maa!

[Loyalh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Same sexual fancy added by the author as in his other books. Author is completely obsessed with sex and lust.

[Ajay Jangid · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devi Bhagavatam Retold is a great collection of Hindu mythological tales and their learnings. The writing style of Ramesh Menon is quite easy to grasp, all the tales are a narration by Vyasa Muni. With each tale, you feel more intrigued to know about the powers of Devi, one who's worshipped by all. Devi's powers are above all and every boon granted by every God falls short of her abilities. She has been a saviour to the greatest of gods a great many times. Apart from being captivating and intriguing the book also tries to be as accurate to the actual Vedas as is possible, it's a really good attempt of creating something which doesn't feel totally fictional the way the Shiva trilogy feels. Character description of every Asura and Deva feels true to life and the fighting sequences have been detailed really well. The idea of Moksha and karma is at the center of the book and ways to worship the Devi have been described really well, but at times they draw you away from the main strength of the book, its storytelling. If you have just finished the Shiva trilogy and are looking for something with more mature storytelling, then this book has to be your next pick. Only the description of Hindu tirtha feels long-drawn and may make you feel uninterested in the book. But believe me, they are just the thorns before a rose and make the overall experience a mixed bag of captivating stories and not-so-interesting factual details of Indian Geography.

[Sundarraj Kaushik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gives a very good insight into the Devi Bhagavatam for the people who have not read it in any other version. It also gives details of why it was written/told and who told to whom.

This is the basis of the Shakta form of worship. These devotees believe that Devi the primordial source of everything including Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

The various forms of the Devi are covered including the main one of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali and Bhadrakali.

A goodread.

[Lakshmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The translation is the only reason why I'm even giving this stars. The rest of it is just plain sexist.

[Dev Nithiavel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devi Bhagavatam is an interesting religious work. It's supposed to be a Purana that mentions the glory of the Devi, but ironically, there are many instances where women are victimised or merely treated as sexual beings who provide nothing except sexual services to the guys. Women, who are the very form of Devi herself, don't have it all easy from the stories we read in this Purana. Which puts forward many questions like who wrote this Purana? If every woman is a form of Devi herself, why are they viewed as mere pleasure materials or spiritual hindrances?

It's not convincing enough, and not much arguments are put forward to justify the various "sexual occurrences" between the many characters mentioned in this Purana. It's either they are meditating or copulating, nothing else matters. And who cares if they are making love for some freaking 100 years or thrusting fire into each other?

Ramesh Menon has done a wonderful job translating this piece. Stars for that. But on a deeper level, I think this Purana has plenty of unanswered questions, particularly on the treatment of women and the overdose of sex. Its worth exploring though.

[Sehaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this isn’t a “well written” book - (there’s no art of writing here), it has many many stories which are very interesting.
I believe the incoherence and contradictions cannot be helped since it’s not actually a book but a translation of the original 108 shlokas that form the Devi bhagwatam.
It’s easy to read and is resplendent with a lot of stories if you have any interest in mythology at all.

[Bob Woodley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful jumble of mythology and philosophy, all around the Hindu Goddess and her manifestations. Many new (to me) stories and many retold stories (The Churning of the Ocean, the story of Shadow-Sita, Agni/Svaha).

Written in contemporary prose and massively abridged, so it is actually readable.

There is certainly more sex in this book than in any other spiritual text I've ever read.

[Deepak · Rating 5 out of 5]

mind blowing!

[Nancy McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable and engrossing version of the Devi Bhagavatam

[Jyothsna · Rating 5 out of 5]

dhanyavadas

thanks for auch a stupendous translation. i was so happy to find it in amazon.
thank you. you have done great service

[Shaveta Bhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bless you sir

Thank you sir for making Devi Bhagwati's Purana so simple for everyone's understanding. I felt a spring of love and blessings emerging in me. May you be blessed.

[Madhuvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could've been written better. The writing does no justice to the stories.
What motivated me to read it was my lack of knowledge and curiosity about Devi.

[Arunayan Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mythological stories of every form of an Indian goddess. Well informed stories.

[Savita Ramsumair · Rating 5 out of 5]

jai Durga Maa

I am blessed to have been able to read this beautiful version of the the most blessed Devi Bhagwat. May reading this holy Purana grant us the four fruits of life.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

An English prose rendering of the Devi Bhagavatam. Stories from a Hindu tradition that sees the Goddess as the supreme deity.

[Hari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly spiritual experience.....

[Amutha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening...