Goddesses in Tantrism and Brahmanism

A Comparative Study

Abstract

A distinctive feature of Hinduism is that its pantheon has a large number of goddesses. This large number of Hindu goddesses can be roughly divided into Brahmanical and Tantric goddesses. In spite of the presence of many goddesses, the myth of masculine superiority could be seen perpetrating religion as much as the social system we inhabit. The goddesses under these two divisions of Hinduism are further broadly divided into “essentially benign” and “essentially fierce”. Thus, the present work attempt to make a comparative study of goddesses in Brahmanism as well as in Tantrism. How the image of Hindu women has been perpetuating stereotype images about Hindu goddesses will also be explored. The paper will analyze patriarchal influence in Hindu deities. And in this light the paper will also try to foreground Tantric goddesses which are lesser known. A distinctive feature of Hinduism is that its pantheon has a large number of goddesses. This large number of Hindu goddesses can be roughly divided into Brahmanical and Tantric goddesses. In spite of the presence of many goddesses, the myth of masculine superiority could be seen perpetrating religion as much as the social system we inhabit. The goddesses under these two divisions of Hinduism are further broadly divided into “essentially benign” and “essentially fierce”. Thus, the present work attempt to make a comparative study of goddesses in Brahmanism as well as in Tantrism. How the image of Hindu women has been perpetuating stereotype images about Hindu goddesses will also be explored. The paper will analyze patriarchal influence in Hindu deities. And in this light the paper will also try to foreground Tantric goddesses which are lesser known.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46700/asssr/2023/v5/i1/223403