The Lord Who Is Half Woman, livre ebook

A fascinating study from a modern feminist perspective of an androgynous Hindu god in Indian culture.

A fascinating study from a modern feminist perspective of an androgynous Hindu god in Indian culture.

The designation "Lord Who Is Half Woman" refers to the androgynous Hindu god Ardhanarisvara (also known as Siva-Sakti). While iconographical aspects of this significant image have been addressed, the complex theological, philosophical, and social implications inherent in a dual gendered deity have not. This book provides the first extensive study of the influence of Ardhanarisvara, exploring four distinct areas of Indian culture, namely iconography, hatha yoga, devotional poetry (bhakti), and mythology. Ellen Goldberg also offers a feminist analysis of the ways in which "male" and "female" have been constructed in this image and the various representations pertaining to the broader gender implications of an androgynous deity.

List of Illustrations
Introduction
1. Ardhanarisvara in Indian Iconography
2. Ardhanarisvara and Hathayoga
3. Ardhanarisvara in Devotional Poetry
4. An Indian and a Feminist Perspective of Androgyny
5. Sakti and Parvati: A New Interpretation
Notes
Bibliography
Index