Kali
काली • Kālī
"The Black One; She who is Time (Kala = Time/Death + feminine suffix)"
Category & Classification
Iconography
Attributes & Weapons
- Kharga (Sword) (Upper left) - Destruction of ignorance; cutting attachment
- Severed Head (Lower left) - Ego destruction; liberation from limited self
- Abhaya Mudra (Upper right) - Fearlessness; protection
- Varada Mudra (Lower right) - Blessings; granting boons
Distinctive Features
- Tongue protruding (lolling out)
- Garland of 51 or 108 skulls (Mundamala)
- Skirt of severed arms
- Standing on Shiva's chest
- Wild unbound hair
- Third eye
- Naked or minimally clothed (Digambara)
Family & Relations
| Origin | Emerged from Durga's forehead during battle with demons; or primordial goddess existing before creation |
Mythology & Stories
Emerged from Durga's forehead during battle with demons; or primordial goddess existing before creation
Kali represents Time that devours all. She destroys the ego and grants liberation. Her terrifying form is ultimately compassionate - she destroys only what is false, freeing the soul.
Birth from Durga's Brow
During the battle with Raktabija, whose every blood drop created new demons, Kali emerged from Durga's furrowed brow. She spread her tongue across the battlefield to drink all the blood before it could touch the ground, thus enabling the demon's defeat.
Source: Devi Mahatmya, Markandeya Purana
Stopping the Cosmic Dance
After destroying demons, Kali's destructive dance threatened to destroy the universe. Shiva lay down in her path. When she stepped on him, she realized what she had done and stopped, her tongue lolling out in surprise.
Source: Shakta tradition
Daksha's Yajna
When Sati's body was being carried by grief-stricken Shiva, Vishnu cut it into pieces. The parts fell as Shakti Pithas. Kali is worshipped at several of these sites.
Source: Shiva Purana
Chamunda Form
Kali as Chamunda emerged from Ambika to destroy demons Chanda and Munda, thus earning the name 'Chamunda.'
Source: Devi Mahatmya
Worship & Mantras
Mantras
Kreem
Om Kreem Kalikayai Namah
Om Kalikayai Vidmahe Smashanvasinyai Dhimahi Tanno Kali Prachodayat
Om Kreem Kreem Kreem Hum Hum Hreem Hreem Dakshine Kalike Kreem Kreem Kreem Hum Hum Hreem Hreem Svaha
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche
Stotras & Hymns
Offerings
- Red hibiscus flowers
- Blood (symbolic in most traditions)
- Sweets
- Red cloth
- Sindoor
Temples
Kalighat Temple
Kolkata, West Bengal
One of 51 Shakti Pithas; most famous Kali temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Kolkata, West Bengal
Associated with Ramakrishna Paramahamsa; Bhavatarini form
Kamakhya Temple
Guwahati, Assam
Supreme Shakti Pitha; Tantric center
Tarapith
Birbhum, West Bengal
Tantric center; associated with Bamakhepa saint
Associated Festivals
Astrological Connection
Symbolism & Philosophy
Cosmic Role: Time that devours all; destruction of ego; ultimate liberation; primordial Shakti
- Her dark color represents the void before creation and beyond all qualities
- Standing on Shiva shows Shakti as the dynamic principle animating consciousness
- Nakedness represents being beyond maya and social conventions
- Skulls represent the letters of Sanskrit alphabet - she is the mother of language
- Protruding tongue shows surprise (at stepping on Shiva) or drinking of rajas (passion)
- Severed head in hand represents ego-death necessary for liberation
The supreme form of Shakti; all Tantric paths lead to her realization
