Podcast Summary: Wisdom of the Goddess: The Divine Feminine in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art
Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Dr. Raj Balkaran
Guest: Dr. Hilary Langberg, Bard College
Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the creation and scholarly context of the online exhibition Wisdom of the Goddess: The Divine Feminine in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art, curated by Dr. Hilary Langberg for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art. Rather than focusing on a new book, the conversation highlights public scholarship, the significance of the divine feminine across religious boundaries, and the challenge of making rigorous research widely accessible.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Academic & Personal Journey (01:23–06:56)
- Dr. Langberg recounts her entry into academia, rooted in personal encounters with Hindu goddess worship as a young adult, particularly at a Durga temple in San Francisco.
- “I had no idea that there were places in the world where goddesses were worshiped. And this just kind of blew my mind…” — Langberg (03:04)
- Early research focus: The goddess Tara in Western Deccan caves; balance between art history and religious studies.
- Dissertation: Integration of textual and visual analysis for understanding goddess worship in Mahayana Buddhism in India.
2. Public Scholarship and Curating at a Museum (06:56–12:34)
- Awarded the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars Fellowship, enabling work at the National Museum of Asian Art.
- Museum curation as a bridge between academia and public engagement.
- “It allowed me to bring together what was most salient in the museum's collection in terms of both Hindu and Buddhist goddesses.” — Langberg (10:03)
- Developed the Wisdom of the Goddess online exhibition: features nine goddesses, interpretative essays, educational resources, and accessible material for learners of varying backgrounds.
3. Framing the Divine Feminine: Wisdom Beyond Boundaries (12:34–17:28)
- The exhibition foregrounds “wisdom” as a unifying frame, paralleling the museum's Art of Knowing exhibit.
- Many goddesses (e.g., Saraswati, Lakshmi) transcend strict religious boundaries, found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions.
- “They don't necessarily belong to any one tradition…they show up…because they're powerful.” — Langberg (14:13)
- Discussion on selection: Artworks limited by museum collection; includes individual goddesses and broader typologies (e.g., Yoginis and Dakinis).
4. Scriptural Context: The Devi Mahatmya and Kali (18:47–20:45)
- Kali’s narrative in the Devi Mahatmya: her emergence, multifaceted nature, and evolving iconography.
- The paradoxical aspects of goddesses—both nurturing and fearsome—are explored in the exhibit and teaching.
- “She’s an interesting, fascinating figure…both mother and dangerous.” — Langberg (19:40)
5. The Tension in Buddhist Texts: Female Bodhisattvas (21:09–26:15)
- A scholarly puzzle: Female bodhisattvas in a tradition that, in its early Mahayana literature, discourages advanced spiritual attainment for women in female bodies.
- Referenced stories: The Naga Princess (Lotus Sutra) and the goddess in Vimalakirti Nirdesa; the transition from gendered restrictions to more fluid identities.
- “How is it possible that we have these major female bodhisattvas like Tara, in a tradition that initially prohibits the attainment of advanced levels of Bodhisattva hood in a female body?” — Langberg (21:14)
- “Emanation” and ritual hierarchy used to navigate the rising prominence of goddesses within a traditionally male-centered spiritual structure.
6. Current & Forthcoming Research (26:22–29:19)
- Langberg details her in-progress book, Goddesses of the Great: The Centering of the Divine Feminine in Indian Buddhism.
- Emphasis on blending visual (cave sculpture, in-situ art) and textual evidence.
- Analyzes texts such as Gandhavyuha, Sutra of Golden Light, Manjushri Mulakalpa, and others to trace goddesses’ ritual and doctrinal ascent in Mahayana and Tantric Buddhism.
7. Online Exhibitions: Pros, Cons, and Educational Reach (29:19–32:28)
- Accessibility: Online exhibits bridge the gap for global learners and classrooms, providing scholarship-backed resources.
- “The online exhibition is incredibly useful for people to have a resource to understand goddesses that’s backed by scholarship.” — Langberg (29:53)
- Limitation: Virtual experiences lack the sensory and spatial depth of seeing artifacts in person.
8. Bridging Academia and Public Scholarship (32:28–42:45)
- The importance—and challenge—of making scholarly work accessible without diluting rigor.
- “I had to learn or maybe unlearn how to write like a scholar for the museum space. And it actually made my writing much better because…I realized because you only get 75 words for a label…” — Langberg (34:10)
- Practical strategies: Jettison jargon and diacritics, define terms, focus on inclusivity.
- Mutual enrichment: Feedback from students and lifelong learners sharpens and redirects scholarly focus.
9. Resources & Opportunities (43:57–45:52)
- Announcement of upcoming edited volume, The Tantric World, with international scholars, due early 2027 (Routledge).
- Endorsement of the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars Fellowship for recent PhDs; deadline at month's end.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On discovering goddess worship:
"I had no idea that there were places in the world where goddesses were worshiped. And this just kind of blew my mind…”
— Dr. Hilary Langberg (03:04)
On public scholarship and audience:
“You only get 75 words for a label…you have to make it as punchy and as accessible…and not leave the diacritics behind.”
— Langberg (34:10)
On crossing religious boundaries:
“They don't necessarily belong to any one tradition. Historically…they show up because they're powerful.”
— Langberg (14:13)
On mutual benefit:
“It's beneficial for academics because…people often see academia as something…out of reach, that's not important even because they're only…talking to each other, and not trying to reach out and teach the everyday person.”
— Langberg (36:45)
On making scholarship accessible:
“Suspensing with the notion that accessibility necessarily amounts to dilution—not at all.”
— Dr. Raj Balkaran (40:37)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:23: Dr. Langberg’s personal and scholarly journey into goddess studies
- 06:56: Transition from academia to public scholarship and museum curation
- 12:34: Exhibition framework: Wisdom and the Divine Feminine across traditions
- 18:47: The Devi Mahatmya, Kali, and goddess typologies
- 21:09: Female bodhisattvas and gender in Mahayana Buddhism
- 26:22: Overview of Langberg's forthcoming book and research methods
- 29:51: Online exhibition: advantages and challenges
- 32:28: The dynamics and value of public scholarship
- 43:57: Upcoming works: The Tantric World and fellowship announcements
Additional Resources
- Wisdom of the Goddess Online Exhibit: [National Museum of Asian Art]
- Glossary and Teaching Tools: Available through the exhibition site
- Buddhism Public Scholars Fellowship: acls.org
Note: For educators, students, and lifelong learners, Wisdom of the Goddess offers a unique and scholarly yet accessible window into the art and theology of goddesses in Asian religions, suitable for classroom integration and independent exploration.