As one of the most widely recognized Hindu goddesses Kali or Kali Ma (mother Kali) is said to destroy ignorance and liberate those seeking devotion to God. Kali's name is a form of the Sanskrit word "kala," which means "time" and also means "the black one." She appears in many Vedic texts and is sometimes described as an expansion of the goddess Durga.
Hindu Scriptures and Goddess Kali
Shakta Hindus and Tantric believers worship Kali as Brahman (the ultimate reality.) Most Hindus pray to Kali as a benevolent mother goddess and the consort of Lord Shiva. Kali is associated with many other Hindu goddesses like Durga, Parvati and Chamunda, and is the foremost among the Dasa Mahavidyas (ten Tantric goddesses.)
According to David Kinsley, Kali is first mentioned in Hinduism around 600 CE, and "In the Agni- and Garuda-puranas she is mentioned in invocations that aim at success in war and against one's enemies." In the Bhagavata-purana Kali is the deity worshipped by a band of thieves who are annihilated by the goddess herself when they attempt to offer a saintly Brahman for a blood sacrifice.
Kali Destroys Demon Raktabija
The Devi Mahatmyam describes Kali's most famous myth where she springs out from Durga's frown and destroys the demon Raktabija. Fighting Raktabija was creating problems as the demon reproduces a clone of himself with every drop of blood that falls on the battlefield. The devas (gods) could not kill the demon Raktabija. Within a few minutes of attacking him the battlefield was covered with millions of demons. In despair, the gods turned to Shiva. But Shiva was in samadhi (deep meditation), so they asked his consort Durga for help.
The goddess set out for battle and the form of Kali arose from her anger. Kali drank the demon's blood to prevent any of Raktabija's blood from falling to the ground and reproducing. Becoming intoxicated on Raktabija's blood; Kali raged across the world killing anyone in her path and adorned herself with the dismembered parts of her victims. Shiva threw himself under her feet to pacify the goddess and Kali returned to the benevolent form of Durga.
The Appearance of Kali
The Goddess Kali has a frightening appearance according to the Devi Mahatmyam and has a fearsome countenance with a gaping mouth, tongue lolling out and deep reddish eyes. Most texts describe Kali as dark, naked with long nails and disheveled hair. Armed with a sword, noose and khatvanga (skull-topped staff) the goddess is decorated with a garland of skulls and only wears a tiger's skin.
The skulls, limbs and entrails decorating Kali represent the temporary nature of the material world. Kali's fierce appearance has a deeper meaning and shows the importance of destroying the ego's attachment to the body. Her form when depicted standing on Shiva's form is revered as Bhavatarini or the saviour of the universe.
Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva
In the book Hindu Goddesses David Kinsley states that many texts "treat Kali as an independent deity, unassociated with any male deity. When she is associated with a god, however it is almost always Siva." Bengali devotional hymns often describe Kali and Shiva as possessing similar chaotic habits and are regarded to inhabit cremation grounds - reminding us that the body is only temporary.
Kinsley also emphasizes the dominant nature of Kali in relation to Shiva: "She is usually standing or dancing on Siva's prone body, and when the two are depicted in sexual intercourse, she is shown above him. Although Siva is said to have tamed Kali in the myth of the dance contest, it seems clear that she was never finally subdued by him and is most popularly represented as a being who is uncontrollable and more apt to provoke Siva to dangerous activity than to be controlled by him."
Kali Puja: Praying to Mother Kali
Kali Puja is celebrated on the new day of the Hindu month Ashwin in Bengal and other parts of India. This celebration coincides with Lakshmi Puja during the five day festivities of Diwali. Kali's most well known temples are in Kalighat and Dakshineshvara in India. Kali Puja aims to invoke the help of the goddess in destroying evil. The worship takes place at midnight with Tantric rites and mantras. Some devotees offer red hibiscus flowers, animal blood, sweets, rice and even meat. The mantra for goddess Kali is: "Kring, Kring, Kring / Hing, Hring, Dakshine Kalike / Kring, Kring, Kring, Hring, Hring / Hung, Hung, Swaha."
Associated almost exclusively with Lord Shiva; Kali appears in many myths as an uncontrollable, violent and angry goddess on the battlefield. Kali is popular in Bengal and worshipped by many Hindu devotees especially during Navratri and Kali Puja.
Sources:
Kingsley, David Hindu Goddesses University of California Press, 1988.
SanatanSociety.com. The Hindu Goddess Kali (Accessed October 27, 2010).
TheBuddhaGarden.com The Goddess Kali: The Destructive Kali in Hinduism (Accessed October 29, 2010).
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