The work of Canadian Indologist David Kinsley, dedicated to the Mahavidyas, a rare group of goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, sheds light on the amazing rites and practices associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess, which manifests itself in a wide variety of forms. Behind the repulsive and intimidating appearance of some of the Mahavidyas lies the philosophical vision and ideas of the Indians about the spiritual path. The author deeply explores the symbolism, iconography, characteristics of each of the ten goddesses, myths related to their origin, features of ritual worship of them and comes to the following conclusion: Mahavidyas are called to awaken consciousness, destroying stereotypical thinking and taking it beyond the predictable and socially familiar.