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Kali Mata is one of the Dasha Mahavidyas
The regular recitation of Kali Sahasranama blesses one with a long and healthy life. It can speed up one’s spiritual journey faster than any other deity, putting an end to all of one’s troubles. Mother Kali personally looks after such a devotee. What to speak of the benefits of chanting her thousand names?
Kali is the first among the ten Dasha Mahavidyas. The name Kali comes from the word ‘Kala’ which means time. You may find our video titled Benefits of Chanting Kalabhairava Ashtakam | Kalabhairava Ashtakam Benefits interesting to watch. Kali Mata symbolizes destruction as she wears a garland of heads, holding a thirsty sword in her hand.
Lord Shiva under Kali Mata’s feet
Now, I shall briefly cover the story of Mother Kali before going into the process of chanting Kali Sahasranama. After defeating the Asuras on the battlefield, Mother Kali danced in a frenzy causing destruction everywhere. So, the devas approached Lord Shiva for help. In order to stop Devi, He lay down on the ground among the corpses.
Accidentally, Mother Kali steps on Him. Realizing her husband under her feet, she takes out her tongue indicating a blunder done on her part. However, there is another version of the story. In order to calm Kali Mata, Lord Shiva appears as an infant crying helplessly.
The Interpretation of Linga Purana Story
Moved by motherly affection, Kali Mata sits down to attend to the child. She kisses the child on his forehead and breastfeeds the baby. This is the motherly form of Mother Kali. According to the Linga Purana, Devi Parvati merged into Lord Shiva to kill the demon Daruka since he could only be killed by a woman as per Lord Brahma’s boon. She thus slew the demon.
While another interpretation from the Devi Mahatmya suggests that after the death of Chanda Munda, a demon named Raktabeeja challenged Durga Devi. Whenever a drop of his blood fell on the ground, he multiplied into many. In order to kill the demon, Mother Kali spread out her tongue on the ground not allowing a single drop of blood to spill, thus she devoured the demon.
There is a beautiful explanation of the story. Raktabeeja symbolizes vrittis are inner deficiencies, which keep on multiplying as each one is satisfied. Kali Mata devours all vrittis, and ultimately grants one Moksha. Another gross interpretation is that Raktabeeja symbolizes Cancerous cells that keep on multiplying, while Durga devi and Kali ma represent turmeric and black pepper respectively based on their complexion.
It is interesting to note that Turmeric and black pepper have medicinal properties and are used to fight cancer cells.
The Three Forms of Kali Mata
Among the different forms of Kali Mata, three prominent forms are Dakshina Kali, Smashana Kali, and Mahakali. You can easily differentiate between Dakshina Kali and Smashana Kali. If her right foot is on Lord Shiva, then she is Dakshina Kali.
In the Jagannath temple, she is considered as the protector of the holy kitchen. Hence, Lord Jagannath is also known as Dakshina Kalika. If the left foot is on Lord Shiva, then she is Smashana Kali. Smashana Kali is the terrible form of Devi which is worshipped by Sharada Devi, the wife of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Also, check out our video titled Top 5 Spiritual Teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa | Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Teachings on Bhakti.
Smashana literally means the cemetery ground. Tantriks worship Smashana Kali to attain spiritual heights very soon. The third form of Kali Mata is Maha Kali. The prefix Maha means ultimate or Absolute. Mahakali is ten-handed, ten-headed, and ten-legged. This form is the same as Brahman or the all-encompassing effulgence from which the devas have emanated. She carries the paraphernalia of most of the gods.
8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
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The Krishna Kali Form of Kali Mata
There is yet another form of Kali Mata known as Krishna Kali which is a combination of Lord Krishna and Mother Kali. You may also want to watch our video titled Benefits of Chanting Om Kleem Krishnaya Namaha | How to Chant Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah? Now I shall share the process of chanting Kali Sahasranama. It is best to chant the Sahasranama, a few hours post-sunset.
Face the east or north direction. During Kali Sadhana omit non-vegetarian food and onion garlic completely from your diet. Wear red coloured clothes while chanting the Sahasranama. Kali Sahasranama is like a reservoir of energy. Chant the Sahasranama only after being initiated by a guru, else it can be detrimental.
Kali Mata should not be blamed for our experiences
Many times Sadhakas blame Kali Mata for the wrong things happening in their lives. Mother Kali never causes harm to us. However, our preconceived notions and set of vrittis can interfere during sadhana. Kali Devi’s blessings are like currency. You may buy whatever; it may be good or bad for you. The Sadhaka should be intelligent in asking something as Kali Mata fulfills all the desires of the Sadhaka.
It is wrong to ultimately blame Kali Mata as she expects nothing from us. She grants boons to devas and Asuras alike without discrimination. Again I repeat, you need to take Deeksha before chanting the Kali Sahasranama. It is hence advised to invoke softer forms of Devi. Kali sadhana is like fast-forwarding time.
Things start rolling very quickly. The sadhaka’s experiences can be similar and fearful just like the Kalabhairava Sadhana.
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