Iconography of the Saptamatrikas

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Origin and antiquity of the Saptamatrikas. 2. Evolution of the Saptamatrikas in Indian art. 3. Iconographical Study of the Saptamatrikas. 4. Iconographical Study of the Brahmani. 5. Iconographical Study of the Maheswari. 6. Iconographical Study of the Kaumari. 7. Iconographical Study of the Vaisnavi. 8. Iconographical Study of the Indrani. 9. Iconographical Study of the Varahi. 10. Iconographical Study of the Chamunda. 11. Iconographical Study of the Nrisimhi. Conclusion. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

The worship of Mother Goddess has been prevalent since the very ancient days. Later on the worship of Saptamatrikas become a part of mother cult. Initially the mother cult comprised worship of seven mothers viz., Brahmani, Vaisnavi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Indrani, Varahi and Chamunda, but this number was subsequently increased to eight or even more in the later texts.

A large number of Saptamatrika Panels and images have been noticed from the entire length and breadth of our country ranging from 1st cent. A.D. to 13th cent. A.D. In this book, the origin, development, regional styles and dynastic characteristics of these Saptamatrikas have been studies in a scientific manner.

A complete knowledge of Saptamatrika cult in India, its inscriptional evidences, a glimpse of the Saptamatrika panels in chronological order, the important panels subjected to critical iconographic study based on extensive field work and the portrayal of the Saptamatrikas through eight five illustrations; all have made the book the first of its kind.