Adapted from ancient Sanskrit texts, these stories comprise the literary heart of Hinduism, wherein divinity assumes innumerable forms. Among these, the portrayal of the Goddess is perhaps the most alluring. In just a few of her manifestations, she appears as a devoted wife, a master of the arts, a terrifying demon slayer, a scornful critic, a doting mother and a crafty lover stealing off into the night. The Vedic tradition, the beauty, power and grace of the Goddess is as one, with God, reflecting the universal truth that male and female are simply different expressions of one supreme, absolute truth. The stories of these and many other goddesses, spanning from the obscure to the iconic, are gathered here in a timeless celebration of Goddess imagery, symbolism and lore. The arresting, original portraits that accompany them complete this mythic repertoire with a stunning gallery of color, form and meaning.
Born in 1955 in London in a Christian family, I have been undergoing training in the monotheistic Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism since 1979. Although I am sometimes referred to as a Hindu priest, there is in fact no defined hierarchical priesthood within Hinduism, or, as I prefer to call it, the Vedic tradition, based as it is upon the scriptures known as the Vedas. There is a class known as the brahmins, whose business is to provide priestly services to society, such as rites of passage and spiritual instruction, and I would put myself in this category. If not a fully qualified brahmin, I am certainly aspiring to become one, in the line of my eternally liberated teacher Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
I do not see my acceptance of the Vaishnava tradition as a departure from Christianity, but rather as a natural continuance of Christ's teachings. For me the instructions of all the great teachers, such as Prabhupada, Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, and many others, contain the same essential thread of spirituality, which culminates in surrender to the Personality of Godhead, who I know as Lord Krishna, but who may also be known by many other names such as Jehovah, Allah, Jahweh and Buddha.
My goal is to bring the wisdom of the East to Western audiences in an easily understandable style that can be accessed by anyone. For me spiritual life, in whatever tradition or faith we choose, should be an enjoyable experience that enables us to transcend the trials and tribulations of present-day materialism, and eventually realise our loving relationship with God.
