The principal branch of Saktism, the Lalita cult, is a revered form of worship of Durga. The book is based on the Lalitopakhyana, a section within the Brahma]n]da Pura]na. Lalitopakhyana, also known as Lalita Mahatmaya, is one of the most ancient of the eighteen Pura]nas and is a form of dialogue between the sages, Agastya and Hayagriva, an incarnation of Vi]s]nu. The work covers the history of Saktism through the ages, the po­pularity of Durga worship and other forms of Sakti cults, the inter-relation of Sakti with Tantricism, and its philosophical aspects. The volume will be valuable to scholars of Hinduism, particularly those interested in Tantricism and Saktism. About the Author Vishnampet R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1896 -1953) was a historian and Indologist from Tamil Nadu. He was a professor of history and archaeology in the University of Madras.