Devi and the spouse goddess : women, sexuality, and marriages in India / Lynn E. Gatwood.

By:

Gatwood, Lynn E [author]

Material type:

TextLanguage: English Original language: English Publication details: New Delhi : Manohar, 1985.ISBN:

9789394262188

Subject(s):

Summary: Over the centuries, the idealised roles women were expected to play in Indian society have embodied in images of Hindu deities. Society, particularly the male Brahmanical elite, expected decent upper caste women to conform to the image of the benign Spouse Goddess. The upper caste woman, like the Spouse Goddess, was expected to be a worshipful and dutiful mate to her husband. She appears as Sarasvati, wife of Brahma; Lakshmi, paired with Vishnu; and Parvati, mate of Shiva. The Spouse Goddess' sexuality is controlled by marriage and is directed towards procreation, particularly of male heirs.

Item type:

Print List(s) this item appears in: Global Library New Arrivals May 2026

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Holdings
Cover image	Item type	Current library	Home library	Collection	Shelving location	Call number	Materials specified	Vol info	URL	Copy number	Status	Notes	Date due	Barcode	Item holds	Item hold queue priority	Course reserves
	Print		OPJGU Sonepat- Campus	General Books	Main Library	294.5211 GA-D (Browse shelf(Opens below))					Available			159061

Over the centuries, the idealised roles women were expected to play in Indian society have embodied in images of Hindu deities. Society, particularly the male Brahmanical elite, expected decent upper caste women to conform to the image of the benign Spouse Goddess. The upper caste woman, like the Spouse Goddess, was expected to be a worshipful and dutiful mate to her husband. She appears as Sarasvati, wife of Brahma; Lakshmi, paired with Vishnu; and Parvati, mate of Shiva. The Spouse Goddess' sexuality is controlled by marriage and is directed towards procreation, particularly of male heirs.

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