Inner Traditions International
One Park Street
Rochester, Vermont 05767
www.InnerTraditions.com
Copyright © 2000 Devdutt Pattanaik
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Pattanaik, Devdutt.
The goddess in India : the five faces of the eternal feminine / Devdutt Pattanaik.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-89281-807-5
ebook ISBN 978-1-59477-537-6
1. Goddesses, Hindu. 2. Goddesses—India. 3. Women—Religious aspects—Hinduism.
4. Hinduism—Doctrines. I. Title.
BL1216.P37 2000
294.5’2114—dc21
00-024425
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Grateful acknowledgment to the following:
Archeological Survey of India, for Lajja-gauri, p. 5; Vishnu and Laxmi, p. 9; Women in amorous embrace, p. 12; Vishnu in the form of a boar, p. 16; Mother with child, p. 41; Princess in her toilet, p. 46; Tree nymph, p. 52; Vishnu with nymph and monk, p. 60; Courtesan and sage, p. 68; Laxmi and Vishnu, p. 104; Palmprints, p. 117; Nymph adorning herself, p. 124; Yogini holding skull-mace, p. 125; Matrikas, p. 132; Durga, p. 142; Three forms of the mother-goddess, p. 151
Kelkar Museum, Pune, for Laxmana and Surpanaka, p. 88; Sita and Laxmana, p. 90; Sita’s chastity being tested, p. 113; Worship of the tulsi plant, p. 116
Private collections, for Ardhanari, p. 17; Man with three women, p. 35; Man and woman in amorous embrace, 45; Women dancing with Krishna, p. 84; Metal effigy of Renuka-Yellamma, p. 137; Kali, p. 149; Chinnamastika, p. 154