Hillary P. Rodrigues

Demonstrates the historical and ritual forces that secured Durga's position as Hinduism's Great Goddess, combining textual, inscriptional, and iconographic evidence with rich, firsthand accounts of contemporary worship. This is the second installment in a two-volume, comprehensive examination of the Hindu Great Goddess (Mahadevi) Durga. Whereas the first traced the goddess’s emergence as Mahadevi through the sophisticated metaphysics of the Devi Mahatmya, the present work investigates the historical, regional, and ritual processes that further consolidated her supremacy across the Hindu world. Drawing together textual, inscriptional, and iconographic evidence with firsthand ethnographic observation, it first follows Durga's development in India and Nepal before turning to Southeast Asia—especially Java and Bali—where her persona took on distinctive forms. With Banaras as a focal point, the analysis then examines major ritual institutions, including Durga Puja and the temple networks associated with the Nine Durga pilgrimage. It also explores both exoteric and esoteric dimensions of devotion, showing how ritual practice intersects with interpretations articulated through yantras, mantras, mythic narratives, and embodied performance. Taken together, these strands reveal how Durga’s appeal expanded beyond sovereign empowerment to encompass her roles as supreme refuge and ultimate reality—an enduring source of protection, grace, and ontological grounding for worshippers across the Hindu world.

Offers the first comprehensive analysis of the Hindu Great Goddess Durga, tracing her evolution from a minor goddess into a transcendent supreme deity central to Hindu theology and the ultimate refuge accessible to all. This study provides the first comprehensive examination of the Hindu Great Goddess Durga, one of the most significant deities in the Hindu pantheon, who is celebrated annually during the Navaratra festival, a widely observed event across the Hindu world. Drawing on textual, inscriptional, and iconographic evidence, the study traces Durga's evolution from a minor goddess to her identification as the Mahadevi, or Great Goddess. It presents an alternative chronology for hymnic materials, aligning them more closely with early iconographic depictions and offering new insights into misidentified attributes of the goddess. The work incorporates evidence from beyond South Asia to contextualize external influences on Durga's persona and her central myths, particularly her defeat of the buffalo demon Mahi?a. A detailed analysis of the myths in the influential Devi Mahatmya against earlier Pura?ic accounts highlights the text's sophisticated theological approach. Its strategy places Durga in a transcendent role while asserting her as the supreme deity and ultimate refuge, accessible to both kings and commoners in dire need of her support.

Offers the first comprehensive analysis of the Hindu Great Goddess Durga, tracing her evolution from a minor goddess into a transcendent supreme deity central to Hindu theology and the ultimate refuge accessible to all. This study provides the first comprehensive examination of the Hindu Great Goddess Durga, one of the most significant deities in the Hindu pantheon, who is celebrated annually during the Navaratra festival, a widely observed event across the Hindu world. Drawing on textual, inscriptional, and iconographic evidence, the study traces Durga's evolution from a minor goddess to her identification as the Mahadevi, or Great Goddess. It presents an alternative chronology for hymnic materials, aligning them more closely with early iconographic depictions and offering new insights into misidentified attributes of the goddess. The work incorporates evidence from beyond South Asia to contextualize external influences on Durga's persona and her central myths, particularly her defeat of the buffalo demon Mahi?a. A detailed analysis of the myths in the influential Devi Mahatmya against earlier Pura?ic accounts highlights the text's sophisticated theological approach. Its strategy places Durga in a transcendent role while asserting her as the supreme deity and ultimate refuge, accessible to both kings and commoners in dire need of her support.

Introducing Hinduism is an invaluable resource for those seeking an authoritative and comprehensive academic overview of the key tenets and diverse practices of Hinduism, past and present. This third edition includes substantial treatments of Tantra, South India, politics, and gender, as well as expanded discussions of Western configurations of Hinduism as in postural yoga and neo-nondual spirituality, and Hinduism in popular culture. Its lively presentation features: updated case studies, photographs, and scenarios that invite the reader into the lived world of Hinduism; introductory summaries, key points, discussion questions, and recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter; narrative summaries of the great epics and other renowned Hindu myths and lucid explanations of complex Indian philosophical teachings, including Sankhya, Vedanta, and Kashmir Saivism; and a glossary, timeline, and pronunciation guide for an enhanced learning experience.

Introducing Hinduism is an invaluable resource for those seeking an authoritative and comprehensive academic overview of the key tenets and diverse practices of Hinduism, past and present. This third edition includes substantial treatments of Tantra, South India, politics, and gender, as well as expanded discussions of Western configurations of Hinduism as in postural yoga and neo-nondual spirituality, and Hinduism in popular culture. Its lively presentation features: updated case studies, photographs, and scenarios that invite the reader into the lived world of Hinduism; introductory summaries, key points, discussion questions, and recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter; narrative summaries of the great epics and other renowned Hindu myths and lucid explanations of complex Indian philosophical teachings, including Sankhya, Vedanta, and Kashmir Saivism; and a glossary, timeline, and pronunciation guide for an enhanced learning experience.

Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past? How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion the same as religious education? These and many other questions are addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of religious studies. Topics include:Definitions of religionPerspectives in the study and teaching of religionHow religion began to be studied: Traditional perspectives—philosophical and theologicalHow people experience religion: Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception—phenomenological and psychologicalStudying religion within communities: Social and cultural perspectives—anthropological, sociological, political, and economicJudging religion: Critical perspectives—feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religionContextual perspectives—historical and comparativeThemes, theories, and current directionsThis thoroughly updated second edition encourages students to think critically about the theories and methods presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and limitations of these approaches, understand connections among religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of religion. Summary boxes, discussion questions, a glossary, a chronology of key figures and texts, and other pedagogic aids help students grasp key concepts.

Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past? How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion the same as religious education? These and many other questions are addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of religious studies. Topics include:Definitions of religionPerspectives in the study and teaching of religionHow religion began to be studied: Traditional perspectives—philosophical and theologicalHow people experience religion: Perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception—phenomenological and psychologicalStudying religion within communities: Social and cultural perspectives—anthropological, sociological, political, and economicJudging religion: Critical perspectives—feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religionContextual perspectives—historical and comparativeThemes, theories, and current directionsThis thoroughly updated second edition encourages students to think critically about the theories and methods presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and limitations of these approaches, understand connections among religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of religion. Summary boxes, discussion questions, a glossary, a chronology of key figures and texts, and other pedagogic aids help students grasp key concepts.

This masterful survey of world religions presents a clear and concise portrait of the history, beliefs, and practices of Eastern and Western religions. The authors, both respected scholars of world religions, have over 50 years of combined teaching experience. Their book is accessibly written for introductory classes, can be easily adapted for one- or two-semester courses, and employs a neutral approach for broad classroom use.The third edition has been revised throughout, with updated material on the history and contemporary configurations of each tradition and new sections addressing gender, sexuality, and the environment. It also includes effective sidebars, photographs, timelines, charts, calendars, glossaries, and a spelling guide.Online resources through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources include Powerpoint/Keynote slides, new maps and videos, and a large question bank of multiple-choice test questions (available to professors upon request).

Introducing Hinduism, 2nd Edition is the ideal sourcebook for those seeking a comprehensive overview of the Hindu tradition. This second edition includes substantial treatments of Tantra, South India, and women, as well as expanded discussions of yoga, Vedanta and contemporary configurations of Hinduism in the West. Its lively presentation features: case studies, photographs, and scenarios that invite the reader into the lived world of Hinduism; introductory summaries, key points, discussion questions, and recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter; narrative summaries of the great epics and other renowned Hindu myths and lucid explanations of complex Indian philosophical teachings, including Sankhya and Kashmir Saivism; and a glossary, timeline, and pronunciation guide for an enhanced learning experience. This volume is an invaluable resource for students in need of an introduction to the key tenets and diverse practice of Hinduism, past and present.

This collection illustrates the spectrum of ideas that people throughout history have had when considering how to understand and study religion. The editors present a selection of key writings that reflect a broad range of voices on the nature and practice of the discipline. Religious studies draws on works by anthropologists, sociologists, philosophers, theologians, and others, which notably impact our understanding of the concept of religion, of particular religious ideas, and on how religion should be studied. The Study of Religion: A Reader contains both classic and contemporary perspectives, including material from non-Western traditions. It provides students of religion with an understanding of how the discipline developed, some of the current issues and lines of thought, as well as future prospects.

This collection illustrates the spectrum of ideas that people throughout history have had when considering how to understand and study religion. The editors present a selection of key writings that reflect a broad range of voices on the nature and practice of the discipline. Religious studies draws on works by anthropologists, sociologists, philosophers, theologians, and others, which notably impact our understanding of the concept of religion, of particular religious ideas, and on how religion should be studied. The Study of Religion: A Reader contains both classic and contemporary perspectives, including material from non-Western traditions. It provides students of religion with an understanding of how the discipline developed, some of the current issues and lines of thought, as well as future prospects.

A first-hand description of the Durga Puja, the Hinda celebration of the Great Goddess.During a nine-day period every autumn, Hindus in India and throughout the world worship the Great Goddess, Durga—the formidable deity who is loved like a mother. One of the most dramatic and popular of these celebrations is the Durga Puja, a rite noted for its visual pageantry, ritual complexity, and communal participation. In this book, Hillary Peter Rodrigues describes the Bengali style of Durga Puja practiced in the sacred city of Banaras from beginning to end. A romanization of the Sanskrit litany is included along with an English translation.In addition to the liturgical description, Rodrigues provides information on the rite's component elements and mythic aspects. There are interpretive sections on puja, the Great Goddess, women's roles in the ritual, and the socio-cultural functions of the ritual. Rodrigues maintains that the Durga Puja is a rite of cosmic rejuvenation, of empowerment at both the personal and social levels, and a rite that orchestrates manifestations of the feminine, both Divine and human.