Devi Bhagavata
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The Devi Bhagavata (Sanskrit, n., देवी भागवतपुराण, devī bhāgavatapurāṇa, "the old book of the Goddess"; also Devi Bhagavatam) is one of the most important writings in Shaktism, the veneration in Hinduism of the divine feminine.
The Devi Bhagavata is one of the Puranas - works that are not necessarily authoritative for all Hindus, but that have special importance for particular sects within Hinduism. The text describes Devi, the goddess, as the foundation of the world and as identical with Brahman. As the divine mother, she reveals her cosmic form (Book 7, Chapter 33) and describes the proper ways for worshipping her: especially the practice of Yoga, Meditation (Book 7, Chapter 35), and Ritual (Book 7, Chapter 39). The Devi Bhagavata also deals with topics like spiritual knowledge, social and personal ethics, and holy places.
Consisting of 12 chapters and 18,000 verses, the Devi Bhagavata is ascribed to the mythical sage Vyasa, who is also regarded as the author of the Mahabharata and who is credited with dividing the Vedas into four parts. Although the Devi Bhagavata is considered a minor Purana by many, devotees of the goddess call it Maha Purana ("Great Purana").
Like other Puranas, the Devi Bhagavat contains stories, sections praising the Goddess as supreme, and instructions in various types of sadhana. Parts of it have worked there way in popular Hinduism, such as the story of the goddess Durga in her fight against the buffalo-demon Mahishasura (Book 5, Chapter 2-18), which is also described in the Devi Mahatmya. This story provides the mythological backdrop for the annual holiday called Durga Puja, celebrated especially in Bengal.
