Kali Goddess
of Death and Creation

Who is Kali?
Kali Goddess of Death and Creation

Kali, also known as Maha Kali, Kali Ma, and numerous other names, is one of many Hindu goddesses in the Hindu religion. She is a complex and multifaceted goddess in Hindu mythology, often misunderstood as a symbol of destruction and chaos. However, her role extends far beyond these aspects, encompassing creation, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life. As a powerful deity, Kali’s influence can be seen in various aspects of Hindu culture and rituals, making her a fascinating subject for exploration.

"She takes away the darkness from every individual who strives in the path of perfection by performing the spiritual disciplines of purifying austerities. Kali means She who is Beyond Time." (Shree Maa)

Origins and Evolution of Kali

According to Hindu tradition, Kali's origins date back to ancient Hindu mythology, where she emerged as a fierce warrior goddess, often depicted as a dark-skinned woman with four arms, wearing a garland of skulls. Her evolution over time has led to various interpretations and associations, including her connection to the goddess Durga and her role as a protector of the universe. Kali’s mythology has been shaped by the cultural and historical context of India, reflecting the complexities of human nature and the divine forces that govern the world.

Kali’s story begins with her dramatic birth from the forehead of Durga during a battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura. This moment of intense fury gave rise to Kali, who immediately set about destroying the demonic forces threatening the cosmos. 

After being born, Kali went on a frenzied rampage, consuming all the demons that crossed her path.

Her uncontrollable behavior left everyone unsure of how to bring her to a halt.

Eventually, it was the Hindu deity God Shiva who intervened and put a stop to Kali's rampage. 

He did so by lying down in her path. When she recognized who she was stepping on she immediately calmed down.

The above information was taken from www.worldhistory.org (Kali-World History Encyclopedia)

Over time, Kali’s image evolved, and she became associated with various aspects of life and death, embodying the eternal cycle of creation and destruction. Her fierce demeanor and powerful presence have made her a central figure in Hindu worship, symbolizing the relentless pursuit of justice and the protection of the righteous.

Meaning of Kali's Tongue and Many Arms 

How many arms does Kali have?

Sometimes, Kali is represented with ten arms, and other times with four. For some unknown reason, I selected four for the painting above.

The two arms on the left, the hands are carrying a weapon and a severed head. It symbolizes the destruction of ignorance and the human ego. 

On the right side, there are two arms representing fearlessness and blessings. This signifies that Kali will protect and guide her devotees in this life and the afterlife.                                                     (Wikipedia)

According to www.solanda.com

"Four arms symbolize the four corners of the world.

Right hands symbolize the blessings of the creation.

Left hands holding a chopped-off head and a sword are a symbol of destruction.

The head that Kali holds in her left hand is the symbol of Kali’s power to destroy the false consciousness."

What does it mean when Kali's tongue is out?

Kali's extended tongue represents shame, speechlessness, and embarrassment when she realized she was stepping with her right foot on Lord Shiva's chest.

My Introduction to Kali

A few years ago, I was introduced to Kali, the Hindu Deity of death. A devotee of Kali had given me the name of a website that was dedicated to her.

When I first saw a picture of Kali, I was horrified. I did not know what to think. Was she good or evil? She had dark skin, a red tongue, and wild hair that flew everywhere. When I saw the garland made of severed human heads, I immediately assumed this to be a human sacrifice.

The more I looked at her, the more I believed she was evil. She had all the makings of something evil- blood, skulls, chopped heads, etc.

To me, they were all signs of a diabolical nature.  I wondered why anyone would be a devotee of the dark goddess. 

As I began to familiarize myself with the Goddess, I realized that my initial reaction was inappropriate.

I was guilty of doing the very thing that I detested- judging a person or thing based on its appearance. I began to see her differently.

She was no longer the dark complexion evil creature that I initially saw. Instead, she was the light in the middle of darkness.

She was a goddess, fighting evil with full force. A feminine force to be reckoned with. 

As time continued to move on, the thought of the great Kali Goddess began to fade away from my mind.

From time to time, I would pass by a statue of Kali Ma that had been given to me, smile, and continue walking.

Recently, the Goddess' name began to resurface. Out of nowhere, I felt a powerful urge to paint a picture of Kali. It was as if she was waiting anxiously to come out.

Although I had started another painting, I placed it aside and commenced to paint her portrait (see the Kali Spiritual Goddess painting above).

During the painting process, I was instructed to use certain items. One of the items was wire for her hair.

At first, I thought the idea was outlandish. However, after completing the process, I was delighted with the outcome.

My Viewpoint on Kali Goddess of Death

Even though I am not a follower of the Kali, I am a listener.

It was during the painting process that information was revealed to me. At times, it felt like I was conversing with the woman I was painting.

As words and images began to unfold, I began to understand her true nature.

There is more to the Goddess than what is presented in her paintings and statues.

Many individuals across the globe have misconstrued Kali, including myself at first.

Some see her as a dark devilish creature.

She is neither dark nor devilish.

On the contrary, she is full of light and goodness. She emits light to all of her followers, showing them the path to righteousness and enlightenment.

.Kali represents a divine feminine form that symbolizes female empowerment. She is Mother Earth who gives motherly love to all her followers who do right for themselves, others, and mother nature.

Some individuals who love Kali call her Divine Mother Kali. In fact, she is a mother to all of her followers.

She protects, guides, and nurtures all of her children. Moreover, as a good mother, she disciplines those who have gone astray.

Being a follower of the Goddess is not an easy task. It requires honesty, devotion, and willingness to strip oneself of all mundane feelings such as self-centeredness, anger, hate, fear, bigotry, etc.

She requires that her children travel deep inside themselves, face their demons, and yank them out. This could be an arduous and frightening task for some.

Although she can be extremely benevolent, she can also be a very disciplinary figure.

Many followers find themselves facing the same life lessons repeatedly. It is her way of letting them know that they have not gotten the lesson right and that more work is needed.

What a person believes he or she is doing right may not be right in her eyes.

Kali is also known as the Goddess of Life and Death. When she is fighting evil, her presence is felt strongly on the planet. This is a time when destruction is needed to reconstruct and build a new life. 

Kali’s message is very straightforward- be loyal to yourself and others, destroy all negative behaviors and inner thoughts preventing you from reaching enlightenment, and walk in the light.

If you desire her help, just ask her. She will always be there for you if you are sincere in your request.

She will protect and keep you safe from all negative forces.

Always remember never to call her for any evil doings or selfish motives.

If you do, your head may be one of the many she wears around her waist.

May Kali watch over you and protect you from all that is evil.

Kali goddess of death, Kali goddess of death, 

How to Communicate with Kali?

It is often suggested to perform specific rituals such as saying mantras, giving offerings, or building an altar in order to communicate with Kali.

I believe one should approach Kali with good intentions and an open heart. Talk to Kali as you would to a close friend. She will be the best friend you will ever have. 

Frequent Asked Question

Is Kali Good or Evil?

Kali’s reputation as a destructive force has led many to view her as a “bad” goddess. However, this perspective overlooks the nuances of her character and the context in which she operates. In Hindu mythology, Kali is often depicted as a fierce protector of the innocent and a destroyer of evil forces. Her role is not to create chaos but to restore balance and order in the universe. This dichotomy highlights the complexity of Kali’s nature, making her a fascinating subject.

Kali’s actions, though seemingly violent, are driven by a profound sense of justice and compassion. She destroys not for the sake of destruction, but to eliminate the darkness and ignorance that plague the world. Her fierce countenance .reminds us that true transformation often requires the dismantling of old, harmful structures. In this light, Kali is not a malevolent force but a necessary agent of change, guiding her devotees towards a higher state of consciousness and spiritual awakening.

Comments on Kali

1-Kali Appearance

by J. G

(London )

I was on a big cross-road of my life and everything was going downhill. I never heard of Kali nor any other Hindu god, but I started having visions of small goddess with many hands. Once, just before my life changed forever, she was standing on the wall in my hallway, with her tongue sticking out, and very serious expression on her face.
Some time had elapsed since this vision and I had undergone many changes in my life, some of which were not welcome, but were very much needed. I saw her again in the forest, on the skin of the tree, this time she was huge, all in green and glistening, most beautiful image I had ever seen, and she kept growing, right there, in front of my eyes, and then I got startled and unworthy of this beauty and I ran away. I told my Indian friend that I saw some sort of Indian Goddess and he mentioned that her name could be Kali. He then asked me whether she was beautiful or ugly and I said it was something most beautiful than anything I have ever seen in my life, to which he replied 'then it is all good'. I have not had any visions of Kali since, nor of any other god / goddess

I have been trying to draw, or paint her since but I find that I can not find the way to express her beauty in a proper way

2-Ma kali protected

I have always been a devotee of ma kali. I remembered when I little my grand parents always told me to pray to ma kali, that she will always protect me in life and I never knew what they meant by that but I did what I was told to do.

Then, at 21 yrs old I got married. My first yr of marriage I was diagnosed with lupus, I was sick for 16 yrs, almost died a few times, been on so much medications for all these yrs and thought that the meds were making me see things but one day I have a conversation with my family and they told me to go to Ma Kail church. Well I took their opinion and attended church, to my surprise Ma Kali came up and look at me and said,she is the one protecting me. That she is the one keeping me live. She also said the person I saw it's her and not my meds and I'm not crazy. She started to feed me sweets and poured water on me, I felt great since the day I walked out of this church, I continued to go and now most of my pain is gone and I'm off of some of my medications. I'm doing great. I love Mother kali.

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