1 Sri, Devi, Apirami, and Mary: Who and Why
2 Sri in the Sri Guna Ratna Kosa: Divine Equality, Divine Pleasure;
in Light of the Akathistos
3 Devi in the Saundarya Lahari: From Bliss to Beauty; in Light of
the Stabat Mater
4 Apirami in the Apirami Antati: Finding Her Within; in Light of
the Mataracamman Antati
5 Three Hindu Goddesses, Mary, and Reading Ahead
Glossary
Notes
Works Cited
Index
Francis X. Clooney, S.J., is a Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). He is Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard Divinity School.
"Many have looked forward to this kind of book for years... Reading
each of the paired texts allows for extraordinary illumination
between the two, as the author gives close textual analyses dealing
with theology, the use of images, and textual and ritual
structures. A final essay is especially valuable, as it focuses on
some of the larger, broader questions of goddess worship."
--CHOICE
"... [A] notable achievement. It allows new questions to flow about
the nature of the divine, letting gender issues take their rightful
place in mutually enriching conversation." --WATERwheel
"Divine Mother, Blessed Mother is a groundbreaking study of
comparative theology as well as a beautiful book to enjoy, a work
that appears to be as much the fruit of devotion and meditation as
of scholarship and philosophical reflection." --Theological
Studies
"Francis X. Clooney, S.J., once again demonstrates the value of a
comparative approach to theology. Through a close textual analysis
of particular hymns from each tradition, this study of Hindu
goddess traditions in relation to Christian understandings of Mary
reveals fresh insight into both traditions and raises new questions
to each. Entering both into the vigorous contemporary discussion of
gender and divinity, and into the largely intra-Roman Catholic
discussion of the historical and symbolic dimensions of Mary's
role, Clooney's work is both substantive and provocative. I expect
it will engender lively and productive dialogue." --Mary E. Hines,
Emmanuel
College
"Divine Mother, Blessed Mother is a signal contribution to the
growing theological literature on goddesses. Indebted to feminist
scholarship and promoting women's well-being, Francis X. Clooney
provides a close reading of Hindu and Christian texts, offering an
elegant, accessible, and insightful treatment of Sri, Devi,
Apirami, and Mary. His genius is in sparking their mutual
conversation on their own terms. Clooney invites the reader in, and
lets the
theological implications flow as they will. Interreligious work is
enriched immeasurably by this creative contribution."--Mary E.
Hunt, Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual
"Francis Clooney is virtually unique in the field of Hindu Studies
as a Catholic theologian with the linguistic and philosophical
expertise necessary to produce sophisticated comparative analyses.
Written at the intersection of feminist studies, Hindu theology,
and Catholic theology, Divine Mother, Blessed Mother is a
juxtaposition of three Hindu goddess-centered and three Catholic
Marian texts with the aim of investigating the relationship of
gender imagery to
the practical purpose of liberation. This is an invitation for
feminists to view male-authored depictions of sensuous female
figures as potentially undermining, not expressive, of patriarchal
values;
for Catholics to gain empathy for Hindu goddess worship; and for
scholars of comparative religion to learn from a master of the
art."--Rachel Fell McDermott, Barnard College
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