David Kinsley is Professor of Religion at McMaster University, Canada. He is the author of Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahavidyas (California, 1997), and The Sword and the Flute: Kali and Krisna, Dark Visions of the Terrible and Sublime in Hindu Mythology (California, 1975).

• Preface to the 1997 PrintingIntroduction1. Goddesses in Vedic literatureUsasPrthivlAditiSarasvatlVacNirrtiRatriMinor Vedic GoddessesConclusion2. Sri-Lak~miThe Early History of Sri-Lak~mlSri-Lak~ml in Later HinduismSri-Lak~ml in the Pancaratra and Sri Vai~r;tava SchoolsThe Worship of Sri-Laksmi3. ParvatlEarly References to ParvatlThe Mythology of SatiThe Mythology of ParvatlTension and ResolutionDevotion and Grace4. SarasvatiSarasvati as a RiverSarasvati in Later Hinduism5. SilaThe Early History of SltaKings and the Fertility of the EarthThe Ideal WifeIdeal Devotee and Intermediary6. RadhaThe Early History of RadhaThe Gop!TraditionRadha as Belonging to Another (Paraklya)Radha as Belonging to Kn•Da (Svak!ya)7. DurgaThe Warrior GoddessThe Worship of Durga8. KallEarly HistoryThe Later History and the Significance of Kall9. The MahadevlCentral Theological and Philosophical CharacteristicsMythological Characteristics and FunctionsAuspicious and Terrible Forms10. The MatrkasThe Early History of the MatrkasThe Matrkas in the Later Tradition11. Tara, Chinnamasta, and the MahavidyasThe MahavidyasTaraChinnamasta12. Goddesses and Sacred GeographyEarth as a Goddess/ India as a GoddessThe Sakta PtthasThe Ganges and the Sacrality of Rivers13. Village GoddessesThe Local Rootedness of the Village GoddessesMythological ThemesFestivalsDeath, Disease, and AmbivalenceAppendix: The Indus Valley CivilizationNotesBibliographyIndex