The goddess Lakṣmī
Subtitle: the divine consort in South Indian Vaiṣṇava tradition
By: P. Pratap Kumar.
Series: American Academy of Religion academy series ;; no. 95
Publisher: Scholars Press; Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Atlanta, Ga
Language: eng
Number of pages: 186
Subjects: Lakshmi (Hindu deity)
Description: What is the status of the Goddess Laksmi in relation to her consort Vishnu in South Indian Vaisnavism? In some Hindu sub-traditions the Goddess is seen as a mediator between devotees and God. Other traditions put the Goddess on a par with her male counterpart. In yet other traditions she is worshiped as an independent deity in her own right. South Indian Vaisnavism views the Goddess in all of these ways, and theological debates on these issues have flourished.

In clarifying these debates and the assumptions behind them the author contributes not only to the interpretive study of South Indian Vaisnavism, but also to an understanding of gender issues in the study of religion.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-176) and index.