Roar Like a Goddess

May 16, 2022
This strong outing by Shunya (Sovereign Self), president of the Awakened Self Foundation, provides a road map for female empowerment rooted in Hindu traditions. The author examines what the stories of Hindu goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati can teach modern women about “breaking free of patriarchal conditioning and letting go of internalized misogyny.” Shunya encourages readers to fight internalized sexism, likening the struggle against negative thoughts to the battles Durga (“goddess of power and self-determination”) waged against demons. The four hands of Lakshmi (“goddess of abundance and inner contentment”), the author contends, point to the importance of balancing the “four goals of life”: material security, pleasure seeking, higher purpose, and freedom. Shunya proffers suggestions for how to achieve these, including finding pleasure in art and prioritizing earning money for security. Shunya urges readers to embrace the example of Saraswati (“goddess of wisdom”)—who publicly reprimanded her partner after he almost replaced her during an important ritual—by standing up for oneself and expressing one’s feelings. The author’s feminist take on Hinduism finds the radical roots of its mythology and offers a penetrating critique of how these elements have been obscured by “male pundits” and their biased translations of the scriptures. The result is an enlightening and empathetic guide to finding one’s inner strength.

July 1, 2022

In her previous books, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom and Sovereign Self, Shunya mined India's scriptural classics for practical (recipes) and intangible (meditation) self-help. Her new book argues that "spiritual knowledge" can free women or anyone femme-identifying from patriarchal repression, connecting them to their inner goddess. Three revered Hindu figures provide her framework: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Durga embodies power, courage, and righteous rage; Lakshmi represents self-worth, contentment, and balanced goals; Saraswati models wisdom and peaceful authenticity. They are not worshipped as individuals (Hinduism is not polytheistic) but seen as manifestations of Maa Shakti, the Supreme Divine, within. Conversational and hortatory, Shunya's writing reflects her teaching/speaking style. She retells key traditional stories, analyzing them creatively and insightfully, while connecting them to history, social movements, her own and others' experiences (footnotes give sources), and offering brief "contemplation" suggestions. VERDICT Readers looking for life-coaching advice, admonition, affirmation, inspiration, and encouragement will find it here. The text also contributes general knowledge about Hinduism and Indian culture.--Patricia Lothrop

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 28, 2023
Geared not just to devotees of Eastern spirituality, Shunya's (Sovereign Self, 2020) third book covers the life secrets, big and small, that women often hide from themselves: secrets about peace, confidence, and respect. Although couched in Hindu philosophy, culture, and fables, Shunya's teaching doesn't overlook foundational matters like the three faces of supreme goddess Shakti--Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati--and how the powers of each apply to contemporary life. Each of the three goddesses has a particular area of expertise: Durga focuses on ""instant"" anger, self-respect, boundaries, and re-invention; Lakshmi on values, goals, and generosity; and Saraswati, who was Lord Brahmin's consort, on discernment and peace. Shunya draws comparisons to U.S. examples, like Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, and as she shares Hindu stories as well as her students' anecdotes, brings clarity to some abstract concepts. Shunya's mission to bring Vedic wisdom to the world is fulfilled here.

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