The Kalikapurana: Text, Introduction and Translation in English Versevise with Shloka Index

The Kalika-purana is one of the eighteen (upa) puranas, and it occupies a prominent place in the vast puranic leterature. Though technically an upa-purana, it is called Kalika-purana or Kali-purana, composed to popularise the cult of Sakti, particularly the worship of the mother Goddess Kamakhya. The first half of the Kalika-p. (though not divided in to parts) deals with the marriage of Sati to Siva, her death and re-birth and re-union with Siva, the identification of Mahamaya (Goddess) with Kamakhya, the Naraka myth and Vasistha’s curse on Kamakhya etc. The second half deals exclusively the ritual procedure of worshipping the Goddess. K. P. also gives a vivid description of the hills, rivers and secred places of Kamarupa, with the presiding deities. The Kalika-purana was composed in Kamarupa (Assam) in late ninth century. The text of the K. P. has been edited critically by comparing all the printed text including one edited by the present author and four manuscripts, two from India office Library, London. The Sanskrit text is followed by a faithful English translation. The work is published in two volumes running in 1400 pages, and a third volume, containing verse-index, notes, study etc. will be published shortly. K. R. Vankooji’s worship of Goddess According to the Kalika-purana was consulted.