First published in 2003 by

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Copyright © 2003 David Nelson

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Puranas. Markandeyapurana. Devīmahatmya. Sanskrit.

      Devimahatmyam : in praise of the goddess : the Devimahatmya and its meaning / Devadatta Kali.

          p. cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0–89254–080-X (tradepaper : alk. paper)

        I. Devadatta Kali II. Title.

BL1140.4.M3742D4818 2003

294.5’925--dc22

2003059706

Cover design by Kathryn Sky-Peck. Cover illustration: Mahādevī and Kālikā. Mysore, ca. 1900 CE. Collection: Smt. Rita Chaudhrie, New Delhi. Mahādevī (Durgā), astride her lion, engages in battle with the demon brothers Śurnbha and Niśumbha while Kālī looks on, drinking their blood.

Typeset by Valerie Cooper.

Text: Times New Roman PS MT, Milan. Display type: Minion.

Printed in the United States of America EB

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The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.48–1992 (R1997).