Learning about Kālī Ma

Note: This is my first post in a DIR forum, especially one of which I'm not a member, so I sincerely apologize if I'm doing something against the rules (I really don't like breaking rules)


How may someone properly pay respect to Kālī Ma? Or, for that matter, what is the most proper way for someone to learn about and discuss Kālī Ma from a non-westernized perspective?

I am not sure where you live, but if there is an opportunity to visit a Devi (Hindu Goddess) temple within driving distance, or perhaps a Kali Temple, I would suggest you do so. Also many "Hindu community" temples have multiple Devatas and Devi (Hindu Gods who live in the temple as resident "idols") or what is called murtis (forms - viz "statues" that resemble the God or represent Powers) so it is very possible one of these has Mother Kali (Kali Ma) installed or "awakened" if you will.

In otherwords - darshan or communion and "seeing" Her is in my opinion the best first step. In Bengali traditions She has BIG eyes you can look in. If you sincerely take time with a good heart to VISIT Her, She WILL respond to YOU.

This is a great way to learn. Learning is CASTING IMPRINTS in your mind "channels" and a lot of "undedstanding" is stored in your THIRD EYE by means of PICTURES like flash cards written to your "dancing lights" that define you as an individual.

Also, you may place a PICTURE of Mother in front of your eyes, offer a red hibiscus flower you gathered especially for Her. Then sprinkle sented water drops to the sky that smell like orange blossom such that little drops fall on your body and then close your eyes half-way but not entirely, and silently meditate by imaging your own head as a part of Her garland.

You will learn very fast. Here is a picture of Kali Devi that can get you started.



Then more lessons will come naturally and it is all free of charges or tax.

You can offer (just about) anything to her--water, fruit, milk, flowers, rice, a piece of cloth, etc. I usually go with fruit and water, myself.

You can also chant a basic mantra for her, like "Om Shri Kalikayai (or Kalyai, whichever you prefer) namah." This is usually translated as "I bow to the Goddess Kali," or "Salutations to the respected Kali," or something along those lines. You can do this as many times as you like, but the traditional number is 108, or certain multiples of 108, like 3, 9, 27, and 54. The number is less important than the devotion behind it, though.

For devotional songs, you can always search Kali bhajans or something on YouTube. It's (usually) possible to find Roman transliterations of them somewhere online so you can sing along without having to guess blindly at the words and even English translations sometimes. (Beware searching for English translations of x bhajan, though. It seems most of the people who post things like that on websites and blogs don't know the difference between Roman transliteration and actual English translations. I want to write them all letters that tell them to stop getting my hopes up because converting Sanskrit/Devanagari/whatever to the Roman alphabet does not equal an English translation!)

There's more, I know, but it's 3:00 am here, and I should've gone to bed hours ago. Hopefully, some of the more knowledgeable folks will come along and help you soon.

Kali Maa is not the main form of Devi that I worship, but I do worship her at times, and she's been nothing but kind to me and my ignorant self. So I feel sure she'll appreciate anything you choose to do for her.

(Edited to include one of my favorite images of Mother Kali.)

Sri Kali

bubbleguppy said:

Note: This is my first post in a DIR forum, especially one of which I'm not a member, so I sincerely apologize if I'm doing something against the rules (I really don't like breaking rules)

How may someone properly pay respect to Kālī Ma? Or, for that matter, what is the most proper way for someone to learn about and discuss Kālī Ma from a non-westernized perspective?

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By considering her to be the Mother. She is the Universal Mother, Adi-shakti, primeval power. You can discuss about Kali Maa here, in Dharmic Religions DIR or in General Religious Debates forum. There are Western Kali devotees here and they will tell you about it. Going to a Devi/Kali temple and meeting people there will be very beneficial. Forget the ferocity of Kali, that is for your adversaries, that is to protect you, as any Mother, human or animal will do. She is the sweetest girl.

Lastly welcome to the forum. We are not very touchy in this forum. And hey! you have two different shoes on your feet!

My focus these days is the mahadiviyas, or ten manifestations of Kali. When I began to follow my current path I went and visited the Kali temple in Washington, DC. I left after fifteen minutes as I didn't have the slightest idea what was taking place.

rummah said:

I left after fifteen minutes as I didn't have the slightest idea what was taking place.

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It's not necessary to know what's going on. Just being there gets you the blessings and love of our Mother. Not to mention the energies you can feel. On a more mundane level if you go frequently you will begin to piece things together and understand.

ShivaFan said:

Also many "Hindu community" temples have multiple Devatas and Devi (Hindu Gods who live in the temple as resident "idols") or what is called murtis (forms - viz "statues" that resemble the God or represent Powers) so it is very possible one of these has Mother Kali (Kali Ma) installed or "awakened" if you will.

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I was more than a little disappointed to find no murti of Kālī Mā in our temple when it opened. I asked why, thinking there might be many devotees. Personally, I love her. I have a brass murti of her in my shrine. The answer was because she is so fierce. Perhaps, but she has Bhadrakālī form.

Indeed. If it wasn't a three-hour drive, I might go more often. A little odd being the lone white guy, but I'm used to it.

IMHO, generally Hindus do not worship 'ugra' forms (angry forms) of deities at home. If will be a peaceful form of the Mother Goddess or Shiva, and not Kali or Bhairava, unless the person is a follower of the left-hand path, which also is valid in Hinduism. For the same reason, a copy of Mahabharata is not kept in homes, it is always SrimadBhagawat Purana.

Welcome to the forum Rummah, check Google to find a Kali temple in your vicinity.

Aupmanyav said:

IMHO, generally Hindus do not worship 'ugra' forms (angry forms) of deities at home. If will be a peaceful form of the Mother Goddess or Shiva, and not Kali or Bhairava, unless the person is a follower of the left-hand path, which also is valid in Hinduism. For the same reason, a copy of Mahabharata is not kept in homes, it is always SrimadBhagawat Purana.

Welcome to the forum Rummah, check Google to find a Kali temple in your vicinity.

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That explain why I don't see a statue in some of my Hindu friend house - the only statue I see of Maa is in my Yoga teaches house as she is Bengali and her Father used to serve at the big Kali temple in Calcutta

The Swamis at the temple I go to recommend very much against having a murti of Kali at home, saying it's better to either have a milder aspect of Mother or a picture of Kali if you keep a tranquil atmosphere. This is because a worshipped murti acts to amplify whatever energy is around, and a fiercer aspect like Kali, Murugan, some forms of Siva, are much stronger at this. So really it's gotta be a very tranquil atmosphere with really good energy for a Kali murti to be helpful for you, but I think maybe this can vary? Some people seem to have Kali murtis without problems, and we know She is arranging everything according to Her perfect plan Here is Mum at the temple I mentioned!



As for the OP, I'd say learn a bit about her from devotees and Internet and book reading, but more importantly talk to Her. Make a time, ten minutes a day, when you just talk to Her. Tell her about your problems, your desires, your relationship with Her. She wants absolute truth (satyam) from you. Tell Her your deepest secrets, unearth it, hide nothing (you can't hide anything from Her!) and then at the end say 'It's up to you. Whatever happens is your will, you know best.' Experience Her within and without. It's such a beautiful journey it can take you on sister.

What an amazing Murit! Is it from Skanda Vale? Ive not been there for years!

Yogi1054 said:

What an amazing Murit! Is it from Skanda Vale? Ive not been there for years!

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Yeah, Skanda Vale! It keeps on growing, it'll have changed a lot over the years since you've been.

It's Navaratri starting tomorrow, perfect excuse to go

I have the form where she is stepping forward with her right foot and has the sword in her left hand. That is the benevolent form. If she steps forward with her left foot, and holds the sword in her right hand that is the ugra form. I think the benevolent form is overwhelmingly the form you find.

Benevolent form:



Terrible form:

I've noted that from other commentators, no one wants to deal with the fierce aspects of Kali at home. I understand why,although I don't always agree. I have a series shrines to the ten Mahadivyas that I venerate. All are hidden on my property as I don't want to scare my neighbors. LOL.

Aupmanyav said:

IMHO, generally Hindus do not worship 'ugra' forms (angry forms) of deities at home. If will be a peaceful form of the Mother Goddess or Shiva, and not Kali or Bhairava, unless the person is a follower of the left-hand path, which also is valid in Hinduism. For the same reason, a copy of Mahabharata is not kept in homes, it is always SrimadBhagawat Purana.

Welcome to the forum Rummah, check Google to find a Kali temple in your vicinity.

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Thank you. The nearest Kali temple is 3.5 hours away in good traffic. It's nice but exists to serve the Indian immigrant community. The other one is the ten micro-mandir's I have on my property. I'll up-load a photo of one of them when i get the chance.

That will be nice and sufficient.

rummah said:

I've noted that from other commentators, no one wants to deal with the fierce aspects of Kali at home. I understand why,although I don't always agree. I have a series shrines to the ten Mahadivyas that I venerate. All are hidden on my property as I don't want to scare my neighbors. LOL.

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Personally I welcome the "fierce" form of the mother. A little golden murti, the "terrible form" which ironically seems to be the most frequently sold, sits atop my Roald Dahl collection next to my bed. (Yeah I'm a hardcore Dahl fan too lol.)

There is a purpose for "fierce" Kali Ma.
The idea is if you can face her, if you can not fear her, this allows you to detach yourself from the fear of death.
I figure if one cannot do that at home then the fear is not conquered. I intentionally look for the fierce aspect for my home use for this reason.

But in saying that, it might be for another completely selfish reason. Because I don't always, I don't know, acknowledge my feels. So I figure if fierce Kali is supposed amplify things maybe I can address things in my life easier.

That may not line up with traditional thinking but I was never one to simply go with tradition. Kalikula is a bit of a rebellious path anyway. And I'm a rebel at heart.

Fierce or loving, the Mother is a Mother.