King and devī: instances of a special relationship

The study explores the mutual, sometimes ambiguous relationship between the female figure of the goddess and royalty, by examining several ancient Sanskrit texts, and the most recent scholarship findings in the field. It takes into consideration religious, epic and literary texts, as well as iconographic material. Relief is given to the importance of the goddess's weapons, in particular the sword, which in myth and legends is both offered to the goddess, and presented by the goddess to a chosen hero. Part of the explored relationship king-goddess involves problems of legitimation of a dynasty.