Questions tagged [kali]

Kali is the ferocious form of Durga, created to slay a demon called Mahishasura. She got the name Mahishasuramardhini for this. She is black in appearance and wears a garland of skulls.

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20 votes
8 answers
18k views

Is the ritual of killing an animal as offering to Maa Kali correct?

I personally believe that a mother would never ask someone to kill her own children; moreover she would ask to kill the wrong and the negative things within each individual. I have been told in my ...
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

Is there any mention about kali purush in Bhavishya malika?

As kaliyug is of kali purush and kalki avatar is also for the end of kali purush and kaliyug so in bhavishya malika many predictions are there , i read the small version of bhavishya malika and i didn'...
0 votes
2 answers
148 views

Was it Parvati who became Durga?

As far as I know Parvati and Kali are the same person .It was Parvati who became Kali. Are Durga and Parvati also same person ? Was it Parvati who became Durga ? Are they the same woman ? Or Are they ...
3 votes
0 answers
43 views

Is there an explicit mention of a curse by Damayanti on Kali in the given excerpt from the Mahabharata?

Considered the following excerpt from Mahabharatha. And Nala upon becoming acquainted with the science of dice, Kali came out of his body, incessantly vomiting from his mouth the virulent poison of ...
1 vote
1 answer
205 views

Mansa Devi & Goddess Tradition Animal Sacrifice

Just wondering is animal sacrifice is clearly written in devotion instructions in religious texts for Mansa Devi ? They seem to kill many many goats for her :( Sucks, MansaDevi is one of my faves, I ...
8 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why do Bengalis celebrate Kali Puja during Diwali?

I don't know why, during Diwali, the Bengalis celebrate Kali Puja? Why don't they worship Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha?
1 vote
0 answers
106 views

Worship of multiple Devis/avatars?

Please understand from the outset that I am a Westerner who is very new to the idea of bringing Hindu precepts into my life formally, so anything foolish or ignorant I say should be taken with that in ...
12 votes
2 answers
6k views

What is the relation between Dash Mahavidyas and Dashavatar?

Various Tantrik texts like Mundamala Tantra and Todal Tantra mention the Dash Mahavidyas in respect to the Dashavatar. For example in Todal Tantra CHapter 10 we find the following declaration: "...
1 vote
0 answers
43 views

How to increase my concentration for Japa?

Recently, I'm not getting interest to do japa. While I somehow doing the japa internally (Rama nama), I used to get Maa Kalika sometimes in meditation too. Now, I'm not getting interest to do any japa ...
1 vote
0 answers
148 views

How to meet lord Ram in real-life?

I'm a Ram Bhakta. I was told to chant Hanuman Chalisa when I was 16 years old by a relative. I was an eccentric person with a lot of temper and bad mood swings. After starting Hanuman Chalisa chant ...
1 vote
0 answers
63 views

How were Chanda and Munda born?

Chanda and Munda were asuras who were killed by Kali. This is alluded to in many hymns and prayers to Devi, such as in the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram and the Lalita Sahasranamam. But there is little ...
1 vote
0 answers
273 views

Looking for english version of the kalika puran.?

Looking to read the kalika puran. What is the best unabridged/critical English translation to get into.? Links or author name will be greatly appreciated.
8 votes
2 answers
696 views

How are the Dakinis associated with Kali

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayan_(witch) The above Wikipedia article mentions "Dakinis have been described in medieval Hindu texts such as the Bhagavata Purana, Brahma Purana, Markandeya ...
5 votes
1 answer
185 views

Hindu Symbolism Of Kali Maa Earrings

Kali Maa’s earrings are dead bodies of babies, like this is from Exotic India book excerpt description : “her ornaments are a garland or necklace of severed human heads, girdle of severed human arms, ...
1 vote
0 answers
59 views

Strota to increase attraction power?

I've been surfing through the internet about strotas like kali sahasranama/karpuradi stotra, that can increase attraction power of an individual. Is there any other stotra or anything like this?
1 vote
0 answers
69 views

How to chant Sahastranama Stotram?

Can anyone pronounce Sahastranama Stotram? Is it ok if I mispronounce some names, can I take the help of YouTube videos to chant?
2 votes
0 answers
23 views

Can anyone chant saum sanischaraya namha?

I've been listening to a spiritual master(online) he advised to chant om saum shanischaray namha on Saturday for blessin of Saturn can anyone chant this mantra??
0 votes
0 answers
24 views

How to chant ashttotar satnamavali?

I want to know which is a better way to chant ashttotar satnamavali like all 108 names at one time by seeing a book,page or phone (coz obviously I can't remember every name line by line) or chanting ...
1 vote
1 answer
52 views

Any sloka/strota to improve my skills?

I want to be an actor but my acting skills aren't that great is there any sloka/strota/prayer which can help me with it
2 votes
0 answers
70 views

Benifit of chanting devi suktam individually?

In an article on hindupedia website which talks about strota chintamani it says to chant ya devi sarva bhuteshu smirti rupenaa" 108 times for 40 days to improve memory does same applies to things ...
1 vote
0 answers
288 views

Favorite Fruit, Flower, Leaf For Durga Maa & Kali Maa

Googled this several times in the past and again recently. Is it always red hibiscus for flower in puja ? Could someone tell me which is best fruit to offer for Devi Maa Thx
11 votes
5 answers
11k views

Why do we see Lord Shiva under the feet of Mother Kali?

Shiva doesn't exist without Shakthi. Shiva and shakthi are one. I recently visited a temple of Mother Kali. I was purplexed to see lord shiva in a smiling face is under the feet of angry Mother Kali. ...
2 votes
0 answers
180 views

Can I take back a promise made to kali? [closed]

I(29M) made a promise to goddess kali that I will stop watching porn/masturbation. But I could not keep up this how hard I try. I have been stuck in this for 8 years and in one way or the other I ...
2 votes
1 answer
195 views

Is Goddess Kali mentioned in the Mahabharata?

I know Goddess Kali mentioned in Puranas and Tantras too. But, Is any mention of Goddess Kali in Mahabharata?
1 vote
0 answers
55 views

Is brahmacharya necessary in bhakti yoga?

I just want to know is brahmacharya necessary in bhakti yoga does any scriptures mention following brahmacharya in bhakti yoga
1 vote
0 answers
54 views

Do Tantra Texts Or Hindu Texts Mention Eco-Friendly Kali/Durga Idols Visarjan

Festival idols question : Hey guys, do Hinduism texts say anything about carrying out puja rituals in a way that is eco-friendly ? Kinda alarming to see the visarjan of Kali/Durga Maa idols. So much ...
0 votes
0 answers
204 views

Can beej mantra be initiated someone other than guru?

Let's say I want to do kreem mantra sandhna so can someone who's not by guru(but have sidh the kreem mantra) initiate me
3 votes
1 answer
325 views

Is true Goddess Kali killed two demons named Kolasura and Ghorasura?

In Wikipedia, I have read Goddess Kali killed two demons named Kolasura and Ghorasura. But, Is it true Goddess Kali killed Kolasura and Ghorasura? What was the story?
3 votes
0 answers
74 views

Who is Devi Kali? Is she among the 64 yoginis or Devi herself? And who killed Asuras?

As per this answer, the list of the main 64 yoginis, a group of Sahacharis of the Devi, includes personalities like Bhadrakali and Kalaratri. Which indicates the Devi Kali could be separate from Devi ...
2 votes
0 answers
87 views

Hindu Texts Kali Wearing Sari ? Idols Question

Just wondering about this, in many Kali Puja, Shyama Puja ceremonies they have Kali murti atop MahaDev as per usual. But she is sometimes wearing full on rich brocade sari with almost bridal level ...
16 votes
9 answers
20k views

Why is goddess Kali shown topless?

We've often seen in many photos that Goddess Kali is topless or half-nude. What is the meaning of this image? Is this image questioning Hinduism's morality level?
20 votes
2 answers
4k views

In which scriptures can we find the original stories of the Mahavidyas?

The Dash Mahavidyas are an enigmatic group of goddesses worshiped majorly in the Tantrik disciplines but except Kali, the origins of most are unclear. In which scriptures can we find more about the ...
3 votes
0 answers
68 views

What to do on navratri?

What are the best thing to do on navratri, Any type of yoga,or mantra(pls don't suggest any which need initiation) or anything else
2 votes
0 answers
32 views

How to do trataka on a deity/idol?

I want to know about doing trataka on idol/deity what's the method, what's the benifits and which deity the best to start with
3 votes
0 answers
83 views

Forms of Kalika

Is Samshana kali mentioned in Jayadrathayamala tantra? I've heard that Siddhilakshmi is flanked by Samshana kali and Raktakali. Your help will be appreciated.
3 votes
0 answers
81 views

Importance/Significance Of Birth Name

Wanted to ask this question : Hey guys, does it say anywhere in shastras or puran or such that the birth name of a bhakt will have influence over their chosen Isht-Dev or path of bhakti ? So like if a ...
2 votes
0 answers
447 views

Favorite Color of Devi (Kali/Durga/Mansa)

Perusing topics on here and came across this thread discussing favorite color of Narayan for Vishnu-bhakt : Favourite colour of Vishnu Ideal to know for choosing which flowers for arpit and such, ...
2 votes
0 answers
67 views

Question regarding Churels

Churels are often associated with spirits on The peepal tree https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churel My questions Who are churels, are they Dayans Are there any mention about these evil entities in the ...
2 votes
0 answers
105 views

Shakambhari Navrathri

I had thought there were four Navrathri every year, the two gupt ones then the two well-known ones in spring/fall. These are the ones I was observing as starting down devi-bhakti path. However now ...
2 votes
0 answers
138 views

Mata Ka Jagrata Tradition (Mata Ki Chowki)

Is there some religious history or scriptural mention re all-night prayer of Devi w/ Mata Ka Jagrata ? Like how and where the tradition of it started ? I was reading that Kali Puja was started by King ...
1 vote
0 answers
98 views

Do Shakta beliefs explain Hindu cycles of time?

Hey guys I had to delete my first account, I was the new Shakta one with the vegan puja questions. My question here is : Are there places in the Shakta texts where cycles of time are explained ? Like ...
1 vote
0 answers
86 views

Names/list of prominent or well known bhakts of Devi in India

I’ve been a Hindu-mytho addict for many years now so listened to and watched/read many stories from Hinduism with notable and respected Shiv-bhakts and Vishnu-bhakts. So, lots of info re bhakts of ...
3 votes
0 answers
57 views

What type of Jyotish do Shaktas use?

Vaishnavas are known to follow Bhrigu and Lomasha Jyotish. Shaivas follow Shiva Jyotish. Smartas, and sometimes Vaishnavas with Shaivas, follow Parashara Jyotish. And what type of Jyotish is followed ...
2 votes
0 answers
132 views

Where is Adya-Kali mentioned?

In addition to the Mahanirvana Tantra and Taradipika Tantra, what other tantric texts talk about the so-called Adya-Kali?
3 votes
1 answer
159 views

What is the symbolic meaning of Goddess Kali's garland and girdle?

Long back, I read in a Bengali article that her garland of skulls represents 51 Sanskrit alphabets. Together it represents the visible universe, which is nothing but a collection of names and forms (...
4 votes
1 answer
745 views

BamaKhepa/Tarapith & Different Types of Bhakti

Reading about different Shakta saints/mystics,  Trailanga Svami, NigamAnand ParamHans & Bamakhepa at Tarapith, trained by Swami Kailashpati, and I came across these descriptions below. In addition ...
2 votes
0 answers
115 views

Amavasya Kali Puja

Another question from beginner level here, if anyone might have info : Ok, so I knew some people a while back who kept Kali puja & vrat every Amavasya. So like twelve-thirteen times a year, I ...
9 votes
1 answer
415 views

Is Goddess Kali ever represented in the form of a child?

We know that Goddess Parvati is worshiped in her child or Kumari form and in north India Kanya-pujan is done at the end of Navratri as a symbolic offering to the goddess. To some extent the ...
4 votes
1 answer
721 views

Could someone perhaps direct me to info regarding Smashan Kali & Guhya Kali?

I'm looking for scriptural info about Guhya Kali and Smashan Kali with translations if possible (Yogini Tantra and the like.) As in what the Tantra background/stories are for these forms of Kali, and ...
1 vote
0 answers
159 views

Regarding meat eating

Is there any process or procedure available in Hinduism before eating meat like halal in Islam or some other process in Christianity? Any prayer or deity to be remembered before eating meat? Please ...