In India, particularly in the West, on the day of Diwali people take much interest in performing prayers and fasts, and when the Goddess Kali is much revered. Rather than talking about the festival, I'll tell you about the Goddess who is worshipped on this day. For you see, every festival though not essentially religious, has something of the divine nature in it. It's been believed that Goddess Kali, on the day of Diwali incarnates herself in 64,000 different forms. Considered as the icon of both happiness and tragedy, Goddess Kali is believed to have control over each and every life in this world,or at least in India.
Goddess Devi, is usually depicted as Parvati, Lakshmi,Lalitha, Bhuvaneshwari and Kamatchi and at the same time she is also depicted as Durga, Kali,Bhairavi,etc. Tracing the origin of Kali, the only book that gives us ample information about her is 'Shridevi Mahatmeeyam. One of the 18 major epics of Hinduism, this book has over 700 prayers or hymns.
It has been said that when Sanddan and Mundan, the soldiers of the well known Shumbha and Nishumbaa, the demon kings, attacked Goddess Devi, a scary figure of black emerged from the Goddess' forehead. This figure is said to have three eyes, with wheels, arrows bows and many other weapons in her hands. She killed both Sanddan and Mundan and threw their heads over the feet of Goddess Devi as a sacrifice. For this reason, Kali is also called "Samundaa"- a name given by the Goddess Devi.
The hymn goes something like this:
"Shyaama Sanddam Sa Mundamsa Kruhithvaatvam Ubaathakaa Saamunndaethi Dhadho Lokae Kyaatha Devi Pavishyathi"
Even after killing the two Asuras,Goddess Kali still fuming with anger, continued killing(and dancing as well). Seeing this, alarmed Devas ran to Lord Shiva who in turn came around and lay down on the path where she was walking. After placing a leg on his chest, she belatedly realized that it was her husband and immediately then cooled down.
Agni, the Fire God is said to have seven different tongues which in turn is said to have seven different names which are 'Kali,Kaarali, Manojava, Kalohitha, Dhoomravarna, Spulungini and Viswaroobhi' which are nothing else but the seven names of Goddess Kali.
Go To Page: 1 2
