Devimahatmyam: In Praise of the Goddess

DETAILS : 

• Author: by Devadatta Kali 
  
• Publisher: ‎ Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House
  
• Publication date: ‎ 1 January 2009
  
• Edition: ‎ 1st
  
• Language: ‎ English
  
• Print length: ‎ 400 pages
  
• ISBN-10: ‎ 8120829530
  
• ISBN-13: ‎ 978-8120829534
  
• Item Weight: ‎ 450 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Devimahatmyam: In Praise of the Goddess by Devadatta Kali (David Nelson) is a masterful, scholarly translation and deep philosophical commentary on the Devi Mahatmyam (also known as the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path), embedded within the ancient Markandeya Purana. The core philosophy of this text centers on the ultimate reality of the Divine Mother as Mahamaya and Parashakti—the supreme, non-dual consciousness that creates, sustains, and dissolves the cosmos. The narrative unfolds across thirteen chapters detailing the three great battles of the Goddess against cosmic forces of delusion and ego, personified as demons such as Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasura, and Shumbha-Nishumbha. Devadatta Kali bridges rigorous academic analysis with profound spiritual insight, providing verse-by-verse English translations, extensive commentary decoding esoteric symbolisms, and insightful introductory essays that illuminate the Shakta tradition's metaphysical foundations for contemporary readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Devadatta Kali (David Nelson, 1948–2012) was an acclaimed independent scholar, author, and practitioner of Indian philosophy and Shakta Tantra associated with the Vedantic and Ramakrishna traditions. Writing with a rare blend of academic precision, linguistic fidelity to Sanskrit, and deep spiritual empathy, his life's work focused on making sacred Hindu texts accessible to Western and global audiences without losing their authentic devotional and mystical depth. His translation of the Devi Mahatmyam is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative and readable English editions available today.