"The monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have severely limited the portrayal of the divine as feminine. But in Hinduism "God" very often means "Goddess." This extraordinary collection explores twelve different Hindu goddesses, all of whom are in some way related to Devi, the Great Goddess. They range from the liquid goddess-energy of the River Ganges to the possessing, entrancing heat of Bhagavati and Seranvali. They are local, like Vindhyavasini, and global, like Kali ancient, like Saranyu, and modern, like "Mother India." The collection combines analysis of texts with intensive fieldwork, allowing the reader to see how goddesses are worshiped in everyday life. In these compelling essays, the divine feminine in Hinduism is revealed as never before -- fascinating, contradictory, powerful."

Prologue: the goddess in India / John Stratton Hawley --
Devi: the great goddess / Thomas B. Coburn --
Vindhyavasini: local goddess yet great goddess / Cynthia Ann Humes --
Kali: blood and death out of place --
David R. Kinsley --
Sri: giver of fortune, bestower of grace / Vasudha Narayanan --
Radha: consort and conquerer of Krishna / Donna M. Wulff --
Ganga: the goddess Ganges in Hindu sacred geography / Diana L. Eck --
Saranyu/Samjna: the sun and the shadow / Wendy Doniger --
Seranvali: the mother who possesses / Kathleen M. Erndl --
Bhagavati: ball of fire / Sarah Caldwell --
Sati: the story of Godavari / Lindsey Harlan --
Bharat Mata: Mother India and her militant Matriots / Lise McKean --
Epilogue: the western Kali / Rachel Fell McDermott.