Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar

A lot of books on Kali come necessarily from a scholarly perspective that is deeply rooted in patriarchal presuppositions (as this is the nature of most of the research that's been done). However, Hardings book delves into the heart of Kali, creating balance in the approach. This book is a thorough and thoughtful introduction to her history and worship, and demystifies her symbolism and terrible imagery, reminding us that Kali is seen both as the fierce destroyer AND the benevolent, all-encompassing, compassionate mother. I highly recommend this to those who are new to Kali, as it's very accessible for Westerners.

KALIThe Black Goddess Of Dakshineswarby Elizabeth U. HardingAlthough this book is a bit on the patriarcal side a bit. Even when India was very constrictive to women, many Hindu sects considdered the Goddess to be supreme and men who were devoted to the Goddess would want to dress as a woman and become feminine and even have a pyschosematic period without the actualblood. (even though they were not gay) This book goes deep into the Goddess Kali in her many aspects of Kali names such as Shyama Kali, Maha Kali, Raksha Kali and more. This book tells of her benign side (Dakashin) and her terrible aspect (Smashan or Vama)It describes the daily worship and the special puja of Kali. It explains her symbols the reason why she is seen with 50 human severed heads and a girldle of arms. This book is truly for those who are devoted to the Mother Kali.The auther describes how life is in India and how the devotees act toward the Mother Kali.The book has many devotional prayers and writtings that were made to the Great Devi Kali.She has wrote about Kalis Goddess intoxicated saints Rama Krishna, Sarada Devi, Ramprasad, and many of the lives of the devotes of Ma Kali.This book will dispell any of the myths of what you heard of Kali, as Kali is greatly misunderstood by so many people. Kali is beyond good andevil she is pure love and will but make no mistake she is also she who creates and she who destroys. The auther has added some of the writtings from the Gospel of Sri RamaKrishna and some of his visions of the Mother is there as well.She also adds some information on Shiva and Tara as well. Ramprshad made no dstiction between Kali and Tara. Tara is so much like Kali in her Hindu wratful aspect. Tara is the next Mahavidya right after Kali. She also describes the life of Bamakhepa Taras goddess intoxicated saint.She also writes about the left hand tantricts (this is not an evil path of tantra) Left hand tantra defies what is considdered morally right and is useful in free the enslaved mind from human made restrictions.Devotes and saints would sit on top of a corpse in a crematorium and gointo deep traces and do other societies"unacceptable things" NO im not talking of human sacrifices. Also Elizabeth Harding writes about the Rani (Queen) who had the Dakashineswar temple built and what goes on there.There are many wonderful pictures in this book and rare ones as well. Rare because pictures are forbidden to be taken of the inside of templesonly the temple officials can take them. The Christians and the Englishrule could not pull the whole country away from the Hindu religion no matter how bad the tyranny became. This book is inspirational and one ofpure beauty, it is a book of hope against struggle. The book delves into the mysteries of Kalima. In this book Kali is brought to life and danceswith her laughter, you can feel the soirit of the Great Devi in this book. This book has been praised by many Hindu and Goddess devotees. It is a living story and one full of in

Reading this book felt like an adventure. The author took me with her on her trip to India and was able to transmit her devotion, her love and her experiences in remarkable detail. It showed me how to experience Kali and to love her as much as I'm sure the author does.

This book is extremely well written. Her descriptions are excellent. I wish I had read the book before going to the temple. This is not an easily read book. It's more like an academic course, only one penned by a professor that can really write. By the time you finish this book you feel like you have really learned something- not just about Kali but about India and about mythology and religion as well. Because of the subject matter and stark cover photo, this is the kind of book that will have strangers come up to you and ask what you're reading. Because of it's well written and well researched content- you are actualyy going to be able to tell them. Take it Starbuck's and you'll meet someone gauranteed.

This is an inspiring book for all lovers of our Great Mother, and gives us understanding of one of her most Archetypal, and complex forms. The author, Elizabeth Harding, has a true insight (rare in a western mind) into the profound nature of Ma Kali, and a real understanding of her worship, as practised in India today. She marvelously expounds the intricacies of the outward rituals, and illuminates the inner philosophy of this loving Goddess, our mother, from whom all things proceed, and to whom all things eventually return. Her essay on the great saint Sri Ramakrishna is most inspiring. Her descriptions of the Temple make it spring to life in the mind of the reader. As you read her vivid rendering of the great Holy days of the Goddess, you are transported there, and can almost hear the chants, and smell the incense. Her understanding of the mysteries of this Goddess is most profound. I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in Goddess worship. It is also great source material from a religious, theological, anthropological or sociological standpoint. It is greatly empowering! After you read this, you'll want to go on pilgramige to the Temple.