Devoted to the Goddess
Subtitle: the life and work of Ramprasad
By: Malcolm McLean.
Series: SUNY series in Hindu studies
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Albany
Language: eng
Number of pages: 205
Subjects: Rāmaprasāda Sena, 1718-1775 -- Criticism and interpretation.
Description: In this book, Malcolm McLean examines the evidence for the life of Ramprasad, and finding little in the historical record, deconstructs the important early biographics, which contain material that is largely legendary in nature. A founder figure emerges whose "life," modeled on that of the earlier saint, Caitanya, became a rallying point for his followers.

An analysis of the approximately 350 songs of this "Ramprasad" are analyzed and show how he skillfully combined three important elements of the Hindu tradition into a consistent whole: the classical Puranic Goddess tradition, especially as it is found in the Devi Mahatmya; the indigenous tradition of Bengali fold Goddesses, still enormously popular; and the previously underground esoteric Tantric tradition.

The book also looks at how these poems/songs, many of which are translated here, might be read today. The author argues that many have a contemporary relevance which might appeal to many Western readers as they do to Bengalis even today.
Notes: Includes some translitaration and translation from Bengali.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-197) and index.