The Hidden Wisdom of the Goddess

The Hidden Wisdom of the Goddess is an extended meditation in the form of a novel that follows the Devimahatmya's basic outline, condensed here and expanded there in freely imaginative ways. In the Devimahatmya the seer Medhas teaches through the language of myth, which cries out for interpretation because little is spelt out. The Hidden Wisdom to the Goddess communicates the hidden wisdom of the holy man's teachings simply, directly, and eloquently.

Most of the book consists of newly invented scenes, incidents, and conversations between Medhas and his two disciples, King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi. As the book progresses, the main characters become fleshed out and take on a life of their own. All the while, the writing probes ever deeper into the mystery of human existence.

DEVADATIA KALI (David Nelson) began his long association with Hinduism in 1966 and three years later became an initiated disciple of Swami Prabhavananda, a teacher of Vedanta in the Ramakrishna lineage and the founder of the Vedanta Society of Southern California.

He speaks at temples, churches, colleges, and interfaith conferences throughout California and is a frequent lecturer at the Vedanta Society. Devadatta, who lives in Santa Barbara, is also the author of In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and its Meaning, also published by Nicolas Hays and reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass as Devimahatmayam: In Praise of the Goddess.