India, ca. 5th century
A very interesting work in that it is the very earliest, large and comprehensive text in Sanskrit literature that specifically deals with the Indian tradition of the Great Goddess. Although this ‘Glorification of the Great Goddess’ was certainly influenced by Vedic Brahmanism, the text is a major scripture of Shakta, a religious movement then apparently evolving and attempting to re-establish the position the goddess had held before the Aryan invasion.
The Devi Mahatmya, part of the Markandeya Purana but clearly having an independent status, reminds us that the ultimate reality of the most ancient human traditions has always been recognized as being female, and venerated in the form of a goddess.
The Devi (Skt., goddess) is shown here in her manifold aspects, amongst which the rather archetypal virgin (Kumari) and mother (Ambika), wanton (Kamakhya) and virtuous woman (Sati); apparent dualities that in fact are merely possibilities of manifestation.
Coburn, Thomas B. Devi Mahatmya. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1984.
Kathleen M. Erndl. Victory to the Mother.
Pargiter, F.E. Markandeya Purana. Calcutta: Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1904. Reprint. 1969.