Kali
Hindu goddesses personify Nature - its bounty, beauty, wisdom and mystery. In benevolent forms, they nurture life. But in malevolent forms, they destroy everything. They are therefore adored and appeased with offerings of flowers and bridal finery. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. There are numerous gods and goddesses worshipped by Hindus all over India. Among these is Kali, the black earth mother whose rites involve sacrificial killing. She is associated with dark, obscene rites and devil worship. She has black skin and hideous tusked face, smeared with blood. Kali is the Hindu primal Mother Goddess who brings Life and Death, from which all things sprang. She is the furious embodiment of the divine feminine that is released when she becomes enraged. In general we might describe Kali as a Goddess who threatens stability and order. She is the destroyer of the very world She is supposed to protect. Kali was the basic archetypal image of the birth-and-death Mother, simultaneously womb and tomb, giver of life and devourer of her children: the same image portrayed in a thousand ancient religions
One legend says that Kali manifested when the demon Daruka appropriated divine power and the powerful Goddess Parvati knitted Her brows. From Her fury sprang Kali, armed with a trident. She dispatched Daruka and remained in existence, beyond even the control of Parvati, of whom She is an aspect. Kali is regarded as the supreme goddess of the Saktas, who almost always associate her with Shiva. As the latter's consort or associate, she plays the role of inciting him to wild behavior. As a goddess having an awful, frightening appearance, she is addressed as Siddhasenani (general of the Siddhas), Mandaravasini (dweller on the Mandara), Kali (black or dark), Kapali (wearer of skulls), Bhadrakali, Mahakali, Chandi (formidable), Karali (frightening), etc. To many of her devotees, she is also Kumari (virgin), Tarini (deliverer), Vijaya (victory), Jaya, `younger sister of the chief of cowherds', `delighting always in Mahisa's blood', Kausiki, Uma, `destroyer of Kaitabha', mother of Skanda, Svaha, Svadha, Sarasvati, Savitri, `mother of the Vedas', Mahadevi, Mohini, Maya, Hari, Sri, Sandhya, Vindhyavasini (an epithet of Durga), Chamunda, etc. Mahakali is very dark, usually
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 792
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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