Beyond Fear and Devotion: The Daśa Mahāvidyās, Kāmākhyā, and the Sacred Feminine in Tantric Traditions by Sneha Das

Beyond Fear and Devotion: The Daśa Mahāvidyā, Kāmākhyā, and the Sacred Feminine in Tantric Traditions

AUTHOR- Sneha Das

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INFORMATION

  • AUTHOR : Sneha Das
  • HB ISBN : 978-93-7452-338-4
  • Year : 2026
  • Extent : 284
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Beyond Fear and Devotion: The Daśa Mahāvidyās, Kāmākhyā, and the Sacred Feminine in Tantric Traditions examines the historical, ritual, and symbolic dimensions of the Mother Goddess within Hindu Tantric traditions, foregrounding Kāmākhyā as a pivotal centre of Śākta thought and practice. Situating the Daśa Mahāvidyās within their complex socio-religious and historical contexts, the book explores their iconography, textual sources, and ritual practices from early medieval Kāmrūpa to contemporary forms of worship. Drawing upon a combination of fieldwork, epigraphical evidence, and scriptural analysis, it traces the intersections between localized devotional practices and pan-Indian Tantric traditions. Particular attention is given to ritual events such as the Ambubachi Mela, through which themes of power, transformation, and the sacred feminine are ritually articulated. By integrating historical documentation, anthropological insight, and critical interpretation, this book provides a comprehensive scholarly account of the Daśa Mahāvidyās, emphasizing their enduring significance in shaping religious thought, ritual culture, and conceptions of the sacred feminine.

The Author

Sneha Das is an independent researcher and historian specializing in ancient history, with a focus on ancient Indian religious traditions. She earned a PhD in ancient Indian history from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her scholarship investigates the intersections of ritual, devotion, and cultural identity, with particular attention to goddess traditions in India. Employing epigraphic research, textual analysis, and immersive fieldwork, she traces how historical practices are adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary worship. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates history, anthropology, and religious studies to offer rigorous analyses of spirituality, gender, and empowerment.