The present book attempts to study the cult of Devi Lalitambika as an individual Goddess like those of Siva, Visnu, Laksmi and others, installed independently with a long tradition and elaborate rituals, besides the highest philosophy associated with Her. The great Mother Goddess Lalita, as Her Sahasranama and Trisati, embedded in the Lalitopakhyana of the Brahmanda Purana mentions, is the manifestation of a compassion besides other benign characteristics. Besides this aspect of compassion, She is also the bestower of fulfillment of all desires - worldly as well as bliss. The various forms of the Goddess although their local names are justifiably different who is worshipped by the rituals of Sahasranama, Trisati & Navavarana on the basis of Srividya and the practice of Kundalini yoga, are the representation of Goddess Lalita. She, in turn is the aspect of Mahadevi, a medieval iconographical and theological concept. Although there are a few temples of Goddess Lalita, Her abode with Seed syllables in Sricakra form are found in a number of places. This is one of Her three-dimensional forms found in a number of places.
The book consists of five chapters. First chapter is an introduction and the second deals with the Goddess in Indian Literature, which is based on Lalita Sahasranama stotra. The third chapter - Goddess in Art shows various aspects of Sricakra and the fourth one is the value of meditation as against superstitions. Besides, the value of Sri Vidya in meditation and worship of the Goddess Lalita and their several aspects are highlighted. Thousand word prayer is sung by Vasini and Vakdevis as ordained by Tripurasundari. They were communicated to Narayana or Hayagriva who subsequently imparted them to Agastya and Lopamudra. For the benefit of the reciters, the Vyakhya, i.e. single line meaning of the epithets is added in the book.

About the Author

Dr C.V. Rangaswami (b. 1926) had his higher education from Mysore University & Karnatak University. He served in both the universities and its colleges from 1947 to 1986 as a Lecturer in History and Archaeology and later retired as a Reader. He did his Ph.D. thesis entitled ‘The Government and Administration under the Chalukyas of Badami’, under the guidance of Dr P.B. Desai, an authority in History. In a span of 39 years (1947-86), he has published many textbooks for degree courses and more than 50 articles. His major research work with U.G.C and ICHR are projects on ‘Revenue Settlement Reports as a Source to the History of Twin Cities of Hubli-Dharwad’ & ‘Sri Lalitambika in Literature, Art and Thought’. Other major research work is on ‘Sri Pitambara Devi (Devi Bagalamukhi) in Socio-cultural Field’ was submitted to the ICHR, New Delhi. He has written a short book on ‘Siddha Parvatavasini Devi Bagalamukhi (Pitambara Mai)’ and edited ‘Bagalamba Sataka’ of Cidananda Avadhutaru Rajayogi, an ardent worshiper and saint at Sindhanur near Raichur district, Karnataka. At the age of 86, the author is still active in writing books and articles.