THE KALIKAPURANA (Text, Introduction and Translation in English)

Delhi: Nag Prakashan, 2018. Third Edition. Hardcover. Royal octavo. xciv + 760pp. Bound in red cloth with gilt titles to front and spine. A large and heavy volume. Some light wrinkles to cloth (common with many Indian publications), a bit of rubbing to gilt on spine but appears to be an unread copy. Issued without dust jacket. Very good. This is Shastri's translation of the Kalika Purana which was originally issued in three separate volumes. This is the complete text and translation in a massive one-volume edition. The Kalika Purana glorifies the goddess Kamakhya, or Kamakshi, and details the ritual procedures required for worshiping her. It also includes worship of Kali, Durga and other goddesses. The work belongs to the goddess-oriented Shakta branch of Hinduism. Most probably it was composed in or near medieval Kamarupa (modern Assam). Chapters 67 through 78 of the text constitute the Rudhiradhyaya which discusses bali (animal sacrifice) and of Vamacara Tantrism. The Rudhiradhyaya section is notable for its uncommon and quite detailed discussion of human sacrifice. This edition has a lengthy introduction in English, followed by the full English translation along with the Sanskrit text.