CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Abbreviation Guide to Works Cited

Pronunciation Guide

Introduction

PART I: ORIGINS AND CONTEXT OF THE DEVĪMĀHĀTMYA

A BRIEF HISTORY

Reconstructing the Past

Harappan Religion

Goddesses in Vedic Religion

The Late Vedic Age

Post-Vedic Hinduism

THE DEVĪMĀHĀTMYA’S ORIGINS, STRUCTURE, AND CONTEXT

The King, the Merchant, and the Seer

Mahāmāyā

Mahiāsuramardinī

The Devī—One and Many

The Limbs of the Devīmāhātmya

About the Commentary

The Devīmāhātmya Today

THE ŚRĪ DURGĀSAPTAŚLOKĪSTOTRA

PART II: THE DEVĪMĀHĀTMYA TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY

FIRST CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀKĀLĪ

CHAPTER 1. THE SLAYING OF MADHU AND KAIABHA

Commentary

MIDDLE CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀLAKMĪ

CHAPTER 2. THE SLAUGHTER OF MAHIĀSURA’S ARMIES

Commentary

CHAPTER 3. THE SLAYING OF MAHIĀSURA

Commentary

CHAPTER 4. PRAISE BY INDRA AND THE OTHER GODS

Commentary

FINAL CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀSARASVATĪ

CHAPTER 5. THE DEVĪ’S CONVERSATION WITH THE MESSENGER

Commentary

CHAPTER 6. THE SLAYING OF DHŪMRALOCANA

Commentary

CHAPTER 7. THE SLAYING OF CAA AND MUA

Commentary

CHAPTER 8. THE SLAYING OF RAKTABĪJA

Commentary

CHAPTER 9. THE SLAYING OF NIŚUMBHA

Commentary

CHAPTER 10. THE SLAYING OF ŚUMBHA

Commentary

CHAPTER 11. HYMN TO NĀRĀYAĪ

Commentary

CHAPTER 12. THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS

Commentary

CHAPTER 13. THE GRANTING OF BOONS TO SURATHA AND THE MERCHANT

Commentary

PART III: THE AGAS

INTRODUCTION TO THE AGAS

DEVYĀ KAVACAM

Commentary

ARGALĀSTOTRA

Commentary

KĪLAKASTROTRA

Commentary

RĀTRISŪKTA

Commentary

DEVĪSŪKTA

Commentary

PRĀDHĀNIKA RAHASYA

Commentary

VAIKTIKA RAHASYA

Commentary

MŪRTIRAHASYA

Commentary

PART IV: THE DEVĪMĀHĀTMYA SANSKRIT TEXT AND TRANSLITERATION

FIRST CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀKĀLĪ

CHAPTER 1. THE SLAYING OF MADHU AND KAIABHA

MIDDLE CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀLAKMĪ

CHAPTER 2. THE SLAUGHTER OF MAHIĀSURA’S ARMIES

CHAPTER 3. THE SLAYING OF MAHIĀSURA

CHAPTER 4. PRAISE BY INDRA AND THE OTHER GODS

FINAL CARITA: MEDITATION ON MAHĀSARASVATĪ

CHAPTER 5. THE DEVĪ’S CONVERSATION WITH THE MESSENGER

CHAPTER 6. THE SLAYING OF DHŪMRALOCANA

CHAPTER 7. THE SLAYING OF CAA AND MUA

CHAPTER 8. THE SLAYING OF RAKTABĪJA

CHAPTER 9. THE SLAYING OF NIŚUMBHA

CHAPTER 10. THE SLAYING OF ŚUMBHA

CHAPTER 11. HYMN TO NĀRĀYAĪ

CHAPTER 12. THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS

CHAPTER 13. THE GRANTING OF BOONS TO SURATHA AND THE MERCHANT

Notes

Glossary

Bibliography

Index