|| Mahavidya Kali Pujan ||
|| Mata Kali Anushthaan ||
Mahakali is a goddess with a long and complex history in Hinduism. Although
sometimes presented as dark and violent, her earliest incarnation as a figure of
annihilation still has some influence, while more complex Tantric beliefs
sometimes extend her role so far as to be the Ultimate Reality (Brahman) and
Source of Being. Finally, the comparatively recent devotional movement largely
conceives of Kali as a straightforwardly benevolent mother-goddess. Therefore,
as with her association with the Deva (god) Shiva, Kali is associated with many
Devis (goddesses) - Durga, Badrakali, Bhavani, Sati, Rudrani, Parvati,
Chinnamasta, Chamunda, Kamakshi or kamakhya, Uma, Meenakshi, Himavanti, Kumari
and Tara. These names, if repeated, are believed to give special power to the
worshipper.
Goddesses play an important role in the study and practice of Tantra Yoga, and
are affirmed to be as central to discerning the nature of reality as the male
deities are. Although Parvati is often said to be the recipient and student of
Shiva's wisdom in the form of Tantras, it is Kali who seems to dominate much of
the Tantric iconography, texts, and rituals. In many sources Kali is praised as
the highest reality or greatest of all deities. The Nirvnana-tantra says the
gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva all arise from her like bubbles in the sea,
ceaslessly arising and passing away, leaving their original source unchanged.
The Niruttara-tantra and the Picchila-tantra declare all of Kali's mantras to be
the greatest and the Yogini-tantra , Kamakhya-tantra and the Niruttara-tantra
all proclaim Kali vidyas (manifestations of Mahadevi, or "divinity itself").
They declare her to be an essence of her own form (svarupa) of the Mahadevi.
At
the dissolution of things, it is Kala [Time] Who will devour all, and by reason
of this He is called Mahakala [an epithet of Lord Shiva], and since Thou
devourest Mahakala Himself, it is Thou who art the Supreme Primordial Kalika.
Because Thou devourest Kala, Thou art Kali, the original form of all things, and
because Thou art the Origin of and devourest all things Thou art called the Adya
[primordial Kali. Resuming after Dissolution Thine own form, dark and formless,
Thou alone remainest as One ineffable and inconceivable. Though having a form,
yet art Thou formless; though Thyself without beginning, multiform by the power
of Maya, Thou art the Beginning of all, Creatrix, Protectress, and Destructress
that Thou art. He, O Mahakali who in the cremation-ground, naked, and with
dishevelled hair, intently meditates upon Thee and recites Thy mantra, and with
each recitation makes offering to Thee of a thousand Akanda flowers with seed,
becomes without any effort a Lord of the earth. 0 Kali, whoever on Tuesday at
midnight, having uttered Thy mantra, makes offering even but once with devotion
to Thee of a hair of his Sakti [his female companion] in the cremation-ground,
becomes a great poet, a Lord of the earth, and ever goes mounted upon an
elephant.
The
Karpuradi-stotra clearly indicates that Kali is more than a terrible, vicious,
slayer of demons who serves Durga or Shiva. Here, Kali is identified as the
supreme mistress of the universe, associated with the five elements. In union
with Lord Shiva, who is said to be her spouse, Kali creates and destroys worlds.
Her appearance also takes a different turn, befitting her role as ruler of the
world and object of meditation. In contrast to her terrible aspects, she takes
on hints of a more benign dimension. Kali is described as young and beautiful,
has a gentle smile, and makes gestures with her two right hands to dispel any
fear and offer boons. The more positive features exposed offer the distillation
of divine wrath into a goddess of salvation, who rids the Sadhaka of fear. Here,
Kali appears as a symbol of triumph over death.
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