Kali and Krsna are two of Hinduism's most popular deities, representing dramatically different truths about the nature of the sacred. The cruel and terrible Kali is thought to be born of wild, aboriginal roots. She is the goddess of thieves and often associated with human blood sacrifice. Krsna, in contrast, is the divine lover and inimitable prankster who plays a bewitching flute to draw all to him. But Kali and Krsna have much more in common than their contrasting personalities suggest. Kinsley shows that Krsna's flute can be interchangeable with Kali's sword, revealing important perceptions of the divine in the Hindu tradition.

Contents

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
PREFACE TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION
INTRODUCTION

PART I. THE FLUTE: KRSNA'S CARNIVAL OF
JOY

CHAPTER I
Krsna and the "Krsnas"
The Divine Child: The Spontaneous and Tumultuous Nature of God
Krsna's Sport with Demons: Combat as Play
The Embodiment of Beauty and Grace
The Call of Krsna's Flute
The Divine Lover

CHAPTER II
Introduction
Bhakti: From Lord to Lover
Ananda: The Inherent Bliss of the Divine
Lila: The Divine Player

PART II. THE SWORD: KALI, MISTRESS OF DEATH

CHAPTER III
Introduction
The Prehistory of Kali
Kali in the Mahiibhiirata
Kali in the Devi-mahatmya
The Early History of Kiili in Puriiryic and Dramatic Literature
Kali's Regional Distribution
Kali's Association with Siva
Kali and the Tantric Hero
Kali and Bengali Devotionalism
Summary

CHAPTER IV
Introduction
Kali as Mahamaya
Kali as Prakrti and Dukkha
Kali as Time
Confrontation and Acceptance of Death: Kali's Boon
Kali's "Taming"

THE SWORD AND THE FLUTE: CONCLUSION
WORKS CITED