The Goddess Re-discovered: Gender and Sexuality in Religious Texts of Medieval Bengal

Description

The book critically analyses questions of gender and sexuality in the medieval religious texts of Bengal. It analyses the emergence of religious cults in patriarchal contexts, the humanization of the goddess figure as a wife and mother who is subject to social and ethical codes, and demythologization of folk epics. This book discusses the folk genre of the Mangal Kavyas such as the Chandi Mangal and the Manasa Mangal, against the perspectives of Sanskrit texts like the Devi Mahatmya and the Devi Bhagavata Purana, and compares and contrasts the Kalika Purana against the texts and practices of the Tantric cult, to shed light on the paradoxes and parallels in the images of Kali found in the texts and practices dominant in the eastern region of India. The author also highlights the centrality of Chaitanya in the Gaudiya Vaishnava movement, the social and religious revolution he brought with the philosophy of raganuga bhakti along with the androgynous aspects in his relationships; explores the concept of mystical eroticism in the love of Radha and Krishna as seen in the song sequences of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas; and discusses women’s Rama-kathas found in a variety of languages across India. Rich in archival material, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of gender studies, women’s studies, literature, medieval history, social history, cultural anthropology, religious studies, cultural studies, South Asia studies, and those interested in the history of medieval Bengal. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Chapter 1: The Medieval Period in Bengal: A Brief Introduction Historical and Social Background of the Period Religious Background of the Period The Caste System in the Society of Bengal Hindu Divinities The Influence of Sanskrit The Development of the Bengali Language and Script Bengali Literature Adi Yuga The Madhya Yuga Nath Sahitya Shakta Literature Vaishnava Literature Muslim Literature Notes Bibliography Part I: Shakta Literature in Bengal The Mangal Kavya as a Literary Genre Mangal Kavyas as social chronicles The epic nature of the text Salvific and Hymnic content of the Kavyas Puranic literature and Shakta padavalis Notes Bibliography Chapter 2: Hindu Goddesses and Patriarchal Politics: Unveiling Goddess Imagery in the Chandi Mangal, the Devi Mahatmya and the Srimad Devi Bhagavata Purana Notes Bibliography Chapter 3: Suppression and Resistance: Celebrating Manasa in Text, Performance and Ritual Notes Bibliography Chapter 4: Kali, Goddess Power and Sexuality: The Influence of Tantra on the Kalika Purana VamacaraTantrik Rituals of Kali Worship Notes Bibliography Part II: Vaishnava Literature in Bengal Vaishnavism and the Emergence of the Padavali Genre The Chaitanya Hagiographies Notes Bibliography Chapter 5: Radha as a Social Rebel: Female Sexuality in the Vaishnava Padavalis of Bengal Radha as a Social Rebel Notes Bibliography Chapter 6: The Concept of Androgyny in the Chaitanya Hagiographies of Bengal Notes Bibliography Part III: Interpreting the epics: Anuvada Sahitya or Itihasa Sahitya Notes Bibliography Chapter 7: Empowering the Silenced Voices: The Paradox of Female Chastity in Krittivasa’s Ramayana Women as Cause of Epic Action Concept of Female Chastity and Empowerment in Krittivasa Female Chastity vs. Female Sexuality in the Epic The Subaltern’s Perspective Notes Bibliography Chapter 8: Women’s Ramayanas : Chandraboti’s Folk Ballad Notes Bibliography Index