Sapta Matrka Worship and Sculptures

CONTENTS Acknowledgements v Abbreviations xiii List of Illustrations xv Introduction 1 Chapter 1: Matrka Prototypes-I 11-30 The divine female and proto-Saptamatrka in Indus Valley culture The divine feminine and the female heptads in Vedic tradition The conceptions of female deities and proto-Saptamatrkas in the post-Vedic literary sources Chapter 2: Matrka Prototypes-II (TULELARY MATRKA DIVINITIES OF THE KUSANA PERIOD) 31-53 A Critique of previous researches The therianthropic Matrkas, Skanda and the Balagraha tradition Harinegamesin (Skt.) or Harinegamesi (Pkt.) and Balaragraha Hariti, Kubera, Laksmi Conclusion Chapter 3: Saptamatrka Worship CONCEPTIONS IN LITERARY AND INSCRIPTIONAL SOURCES 55-70 The hepted traditions and Saptamatrka Sakta cult, Tantrism and Saptamatrka Kings, Skanda and Saptamatrka Saptamatrka in myths Saptamatrka iconography : Silpa texts Chapter 4: Saptamatrka Icons-I (FOURTH TO MID-SIXTH CENTURIES AD) 71-102 A Critique of previous researches and methodological considerations The early iconographical typologies : Central India The early iconographical typology : Western India The early regional traditions : Deccan The conflation of traditions : early sixth century icons in central India and Gangetic Plains Transitions: Western India Iconographical Summary Chapter 5: Saptamatrka Icons-II (MID-SIXTH TO LATE SEVENTH CENTURIES AD) 103-132 The transitions and the two modes of presentation : Western India Further elaborations : Central India The early traditions : Orissa The early traditions : Ellora The genesis of south Indian tradition : Deccan The early south Indian tradition Iconographical summary Chapter 6: Saptamatrka Icons-III (EIGHT AND NINTH CENTURIES AD) 133-153 Medieval elements incubate : Western India Medievalism in prospect : Central India Further elaborations : Ellora Iconographic fixity and perfect iconicity : South India Paramountcy of Saktism, via Tantrism : Orissa Iconographical summary Chapter 7: Iconology of Saptamatrkas HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 155-190 Methodological considerations Neo-Brahmanism and the acculturation of the goddesses Acculturation of female gender : Samkhya, Tantra and the goddesses Sakti myth - a retake : Iconology of Saptamatrka Plates 191-262 Bibliography 263-274 Glossary 275-285 Index 287-301