DEVI THE DEVI BHAGAVATAM RETOLD – (PB)

The Devi Bhagavatam, also
known as the Devi Bhagavata Purana, ‘the old book of the goddess’, is an
integral part of ancient Indian mythology. It is important for the Shakta
sect of Hinduism, which describes the Devi as the foundation of the world and
equivalent in stature to Brahman, the supreme being.   The original text was written in Bengali
and consists of 318 chapters and 18,000 verses, all praising the Devi as
supreme and describing instructions for her worship, including temples and
rituals such as the annual ritual of Durga Puja which is celebrated all over
India, especially in Bengal. The Devi, the mother of the Universe, is
worshipped in India in her many forms as Goddess Durga, Kali, Shakti and
Saraswati, to name a few.  Menon’s Devi
: The Devi Bhagavatam Retold, is a condensed version of The Devi Bhagavatam
and describes the legends of the Goddess in all her forms and
interpretations. The books opens with the birth of Ved Vyasa, who is also
regarded as the author of the Mahabharata and narrates poignant instances
from his relationship with his son Suka, such as the dialogue between them
over the decision to enter Grihastashrama. Also described is the incarnation
of the Devi as Goddess Durga and the epic tale of her destruction of the evil
demons Rakthabija and Mahishasura. The tale depicting the origin of the holy
Indian rivers, Ganga, Padma and Saraswati, is one of the many rich stories
connected to our ancient origins, woven into the tapestry of this literary
piece on Indian mythology.