Goddess Bagalamukhi in Indian Art, Literature & Thought

Pages: 342 (73 B/W Illustrations)


About the Book

India is a land of several goddess cults. The present book attempts to study
the cult of Devi Bagalamukhi from a socio- cultural stand point. Devi Bagalamukhi
is one of the Dasamahiividyiis or incarnation of Goddess, Parvati. She is a
stambhana goddess, destroyer of adversaries- internal as well as external and
one who aids Parasiva (the Absolute) in his cosmic function. Besides these aspects,
She is also the bestower of fulfillment of all desires-worldly as well as 'bliss'.
Her Pithas are located at Datia (M.P.), Varanasi (Sindhiya Ghat), Siddhaparvata
(Raichur) and Gauri Pitha (Navilgund, Karnataka) and few other places. There
are also individual practitioners of the Goddess all over India.
The book consists of five chapters. The first and second deal with a brief
introduction and the Goddess in literature, art and thought. Third to fifth
chapters are exclusively meant for a detailed study of social dimensions, including
efforts made by preceptors of the Pithas. For instance, Sri Annadanesvara the
most recent preceptor of Bagala cult, Sri Cidananda Avadh utaru Rajayogi, Sant
Siromani Mahan Santa Ananta Sri Pujyapada Sri Svamiji and Sri Ajata Nagalinga
Mahasvamigalu. They have reformed many persons by their counseling impact and
spiritual healing.
Hoped that this book would be found useful in inspiring people of this land
to have faith in the desirability of their temples and institutions for the
perpetuation of their religion and culture.


About the Author

Dr C.V Rangaswami (b.1926 ) had his higher education from Mysore Universities
and Karnatak University. He served in both the niversities and its colleges
from 1947 to 1986 as a Lecturer in History and A