Kali - Revision history

Ash at 19:23, 15 March 2005

2005-03-15T19:23:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:23, 15 March 2005
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	Generally, '''Kali''' is viewed as the [[Hindu]] Goddess of destruction. The worship of Kali in [[India]] is very popular, with special reverance paid to her in the Bengal region. To many of her followers, she is seen as the supreme Goddess, (i.e. Kali, the Mother of the World and Time). ~~She~~ is considered to have the power to save humanity from the evil, sins, & disasters that befall the human race within the Kali [[Yuga]] or "Age of Calamity". It is believed she protects her followers from all occurrences that can kill or make them ill and grants them both temporal and transcendental abilities. Kali is primarily associated with [[Durga]], a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] warrior goddess, who later became a mother goddess.		Generally, '''Kali''' is viewed as the [[Hindu]] Goddess of destruction. The worship of Kali in [[India]] is very popular, with special reverance paid to her in the Bengal region. To many of her followers, she is seen as the supreme Goddess, (i.e. Kali, the Mother of the World and Time). As such, she is considered to have the power to save humanity from the evil, sins, & disasters that befall the human race within the Kali [[Yuga]] or "Age of Calamity". It is believed she protects her followers from all occurrences that can kill or make them ill and grants them both temporal and transcendental abilities. Kali is primarily associated with [[Durga]], a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] warrior goddess, who later became a mother goddess.

	== Historic Background ==		== Historic Background ==
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	==See also==		==See also==
	*[[Hinduism]]		*[[Hinduism]]

			[[Category: Hinduism]]

Ash: formatting, NPOV

2005-03-15T19:21:51Z

formatting, NPOV

Show changes

Hierophag(e): /* Introduction */

2005-03-15T02:53:46Z

Introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:53, 15 March 2005
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	== Introduction ==		== Introduction ==

	Generally, '''Kali''' is viewed as the Hindu Goddess of destruction. However, to her followers, she is the supreme Goddess, (i.e. Kali, the Mother of the World and Time) and is therefore deserving of the highest worship. To them she is the only goddess with power enough to save humanity from the evil, sins, & disasters that befall the human race within the Kali [[Yuga]] or "Age of Calamity". She protects her followers from all occurrences that can kill or make them ill and grants them both temporal and transcendental abilities.		Generally, '''Kali''' is viewed as the [[Hindu]] Goddess of destruction. However, to her followers, she is the supreme Goddess, (i.e. Kali, the Mother of the World and Time) and is therefore deserving of the highest worship. To them she is the only goddess with power enough to save humanity from the evil, sins, & disasters that befall the human race within the Kali [[Yuga]] or "Age of Calamity". She protects her followers from all occurrences that can kill or make them ill and grants them both temporal and transcendental abilities.
	The goddess Kali is primarily associated with Durga, a Hindu warrior goddess, who later became a mother goddess.		The goddess Kali is primarily associated with Durga, a Hindu warrior goddess, who later became a mother goddess.
	The worship of Kali in India is very popular, with special reverance paid to her in the Bengal region of India.		The worship of Kali in India is very popular, with special reverance paid to her in the Bengal region of India.

Hierophag(e): /* The Forms of Kali (Kali Murti) */

2004-12-03T05:20:23Z

The Forms of Kali (Kali Murti)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:20, 3 December 2004
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	=== The Forms of Kali (Kali Murti)===		== The Forms of Kali (Kali Murti)==
	The goddess Kali comes in many forms depending on the importance accorded to her, the literary timeframe in which the goddess appears, and aesthetic details that may vary from region to region. Below is a list of the symbols found in the standard <i>murti</i>, or "form" of the goddess most commonly found in India today.		The goddess Kali comes in many forms depending on the importance accorded to her, the literary timeframe in which the goddess appears, and aesthetic details that may vary from region to region. Below is a list of the symbols found in the standard <i>murti</i>, or "form" of the goddess most commonly found in India today.

Hierophag(e): /* Kali Forms */

2004-12-03T05:19:43Z

Kali Forms

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:19, 3 December 2004
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	== Kali ~~Forms~~ ==		=== The Forms of Kali (Kali Murti)===
			The goddess Kali comes in many forms depending on the importance accorded to her, the literary timeframe in which the goddess appears, and aesthetic details that may vary from region to region. Below is a list of the symbols found in the standard <i>murti</i>, or "form" of the goddess most commonly found in India today.

	~~The four arms~~ of '''Kali'~~'' are believed~~ to ~~represent~~ the ~~complete circle~~ of ~~creation~~ and ~~destruction~~, ~~a energy~~ of ~~transformation~~ and ~~spiritual awakening~~, both ~~contained within~~ her.		* <b>Location</b> - Kali is typically seen in images where she is dancing at night in the crematory grounds (<i>smashan</i>) where the dead are incinerated. Within the scope of the story most commonly told about the goddess, these charnel grounds are in fact the earth. She stands with one foot on the chest of the god [[Shiva]] who is in the "corpse pose" or <i>shavasana</i> commonly found in [[yoga]].
	In her ~~right hands, making~~ the [[~~mudra~~]] ~~position~~ of ~~“fear not” and conferring boons~~, are the ~~creative aspect of '~~''Kali'''.
	~~Her left hands~~, ~~holding sword and~~ a ~~head~~ are ~~her destructive aspect~~. ~~The bloodied sword~~ and ~~severed head symbolize~~ the ~~destruction~~ of ~~ignorance and apathy~~, the ~~awakening for~~ the ~~knowledge, in this frame we can assume~~ that the sword ~~that she holds are~~ the sword of knowledge ~~it self~~, that cuts the roots of ignorance ~~and dismember the~~ false consciousness (the ~~severed head~~) from the body.		*<b>Kali's Head</b> - These may be separated into the following:
	~~Her three eyes represent~~ the ~~sun,~~ the ~~moon,~~ and the ~~fire, with~~ which ~~she sees though~~ the ~~past~~, the ~~present and~~ the ~~future~~. ~~This last tree attributes~~ are ~~also~~ the ~~reason of~~ the ~~name ''~~'Kali''', which is the ~~feminine form~~ of ~~‘Kala’~~, a '~~'Sanskrit'' term for Time~~.		** <b>Hair</b> - Kali's hair is wild, unkempt, and immense symbolising her freedom from all restrictions. This is in direct opposition to the careful and mostly symmetrical coiffures of Hindu goddesses in particular and the classical female hairstyles of indian women in general. It is also said that each follicle represents a human soul or <i>jiva</i>, and therefore all of humanity is rooted within <i>kala</i>, or Time.
			** <b>Eyes</b> - The goddess, like most Hindu deities, has three eyes. These may be said to represent the sun, the moon, and the fire, with which she sees though the past, the present and the future.
			**<b>Skin</b> - Kali's skin is typically described as being of the deepest black, or the color of the darkest night, or even the color of "monsoon clouds ready to burst." Regardless of the hue, these colors represent the limitless void that Kali both personifies and creates through her insatiable hunger. It is also said to represent the <i>tamas [[guna]]</i>, i.e. the "mode" of delusion.
			** <b>Teeth and Tongue</b> - Kali's white fangs are firmly clamped upon her immense red tongue in a gesture commonly interpreted as "coyness" for her trammeling over Lord [[Shiva]]. An esoteric interpretation of this gesture reveals the control of the <i>rajas [[guna]]</i> (the "mode" of passion symbolized by the red tongue) by the <i>sattva [[guna]]</i> (the "mode" of wisdom represented by her white teeth). This interpretation has additional meanings in images of the goddess when she is shown sexually mounting [[Shiva]] rather than merely stepping on him.
			**<b>Kali's Garland</b> - The necklace of the goddess is typically composed of severed human heads. Traditionally this garland is called the <i>varnamala</i>, or the "garland of letters". There are said to be fifty heads composing the garland with each head representing a letter within the Sanskrit alphabet. Unfortunately, most <i>murtis</i> that are commercially available do not represent the entire <i>varnamala</i> with the garland only showing anywhere from eight to twenty-four heads.

			*<b>Kali's Arms</b> - As stated above, the goddess' form may change depending on a number of factors. This is nowhere more apparent than in the number of Kali's arms and their contents. Generally, the more arms a Hindu or Buddhist godform has the more powerful they are. That is to say the more weapons and ritualized gestures([[mudra]]s)they have the closer they are to the divine source which issues all qualities. For the purpose of this entry, the commonly viewed "four-armed" form will be used. Note: The four arms of Kali are believed to represent the complete circle of creation and destruction that are both contained within her.
			** <b>Upper Left Hand (elevated)</b> - Object: [[sword]]. Here the sword may be viewed as the sword of knowledge itself, that cuts the roots of ignorance.
			**<b>Lower Left Hand (lowered)</b> - Object: severed head. Importance: The removal of false consciousness away from the body.
			**<b>Upper Right Hand (elevated)</b> - Object: <i>Abhaya [[Mudra]]</i>. Importance: The removal of fears. Made by presenting the open palm out from the front of the body with fingers pointing upwards, as when one gestures a halt.
			**<b>Lower Left Hand (lowered)</b> - Object: <i>Varada [[Mudra]]</i>. Importance: The granting of boons or mercy. Made by presenting the open palm out from the front of the body with fingers pointing downwards, as when one gestures to another to take.

			*<b>The Skirt of Arms</b> - Kali is often shown wearing a skirt composed of severed arms. These are often attributed to be the arms of demons. An esoteric interpretation of this symbol is that the skirt and the arms of which it consists represent the false identification with actions and their results and consequently, with the removal of that illusion by the goddess. She is viewed as the only "doer" potentially or otherwise while humans are merely her vehicles. Also, the skirt (this false identifation with deeds and their results)conceals the goddess' sex and thereby obscures the true source of creation.

			*<b>Kali's Feet</b> - The goddess is always shown with two feet. However, a great deal of importance goes into which foot rests atop [[Shiva]]'s chest. If it is the laft foot, then the image is of <i>Smashana Kali</i>, or "Kali of the Burning Grounds". If her right foot is placed on [[Shiva]]'s chest, then she is called <i>Dakshina Kali</i>, or "Benign Kali".

Hierophag(e): /* Introduction */

2004-12-03T03:27:11Z

Introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:27, 3 December 2004
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	== Introduction ==		== Introduction ==

	~~The supreme Goddess~~, '''Kali''', the Mother of the World and Time, the only goddess with power enough to save ~~the Humankind~~ from the evil, sins, disasters~~, protecting us~~ from all ~~the~~ occurrences that can kill us or make us ill~~, through her grace there is no limits to Men~~.		Generally, '''Kali''' is viewed as the Hindu Goddess of destruction. However, to her followers, she is the supreme Goddess, (i.e. Kali, the Mother of the World and Time) and is therefore deserving of the highest worship. To them she is the only goddess with power enough to save humanity from the evil, sins, & disasters that befall the human race within the Kali [[Yuga]] or "Age of Calamity". She protects her followers from all occurrences that can kill or make them ill and grants them both temporal and transcendental abilities.
	The goddess Kali is ~~also~~ associated with ~~Ganga~~, ~~also~~ a ~~Mother. This two~~ goddess ~~are often connoted to be sisters~~, ~~but '''Kali''' is more powerful that ''Ganga'' and likely ''Ganga'' could be seen as~~ a ~~daughter of '''Kali'''~~.		The goddess Kali is primarily associated with Durga, a Hindu warrior goddess, who later became a mother goddess.
	The worship of ~~'''~~Kali~~'''~~ in India is very popular, with special ~~relevance in the Eastern, where she’s worshipped both at home in~~ her ~~benevolent aspect, associated with ''karma'' ideologies and~~ in ~~shrines associated a [[tantric]] rituals. Besides daily deities the Goddess '''Kali''' is also object of special worships on special dates like~~ the ~~day~~ of ~~''Dipavali''~~. ~~Her ''Vijamantra'' is ''Krim'', the mantra of ''Kriya Yoga'', the [[Yoga]] of practice. Animal sacrifice is used in some occasions during the worship of '''Kali'''.~~		The worship of Kali in India is very popular, with special reverance paid to her in the Bengal region of India.


	== Historic Background ==		== Historic Background ==

Jportugal: The mother of the World and Time

2004-11-30T16:08:12Z

The mother of the World and Time

New page

== Introduction ==

The supreme Goddess, '''Kali''', the Mother of the World and Time, the only goddess with power enough to save the Humankind from the evil, sins, disasters, protecting us from all the occurrences that can kill us or make us ill, through her grace there is no limits to Men.
The goddess Kali is also associated with Ganga, also a Mother. This two goddess are often connoted to be sisters, but '''Kali''' is more powerful that ''Ganga'' and likely ''Ganga'' could be seen as a daughter of '''Kali'''.
The worship of '''Kali''' in India is very popular, with special relevance in the Eastern, where she’s worshipped both at home in her benevolent aspect, associated with ''karma'' ideologies and in shrines associated a [[tantric]] rituals. Besides daily deities the Goddess '''Kali''' is also object of special worships on special dates like the day of ''Dipavali''. Her ''Vijamantra'' is ''Krim'', the mantra of ''Kriya Yoga'', the [[Yoga]] of practice. Animal sacrifice is used in some occasions during the worship of '''Kali'''.

== Historic Background ==

'''Kali''' is regarded as one of the famous deities in India. The earliest reference of Kali can be found in the ''Mundak Upanishad''. Also in the ''Oriya Ramayana'' written by ''Balaram Das'' in 15 A.D. we can see a vivid description of ''Kali'' and in ''Shyamasaparyavidhi'' written by ''Kasinath'' in the year 1699 A.D. a reference of '''Kali''' worship.
''Hindu Vedic'' literature associates '''Kali''' with the goddess ''Nirtti'' since both of them are dark complexioned, but in [[post-vedic]] period ''Nirtti'' had lost popularity and Kali raise in importance and deities
Some believe '''Kali''' is the later form of ''Vedic'' goddess -''Nirtti''.
The actual forms of '''Kali''' worship are based in three texts: ''Kali Tantra'', ''Tantrasara'' and ''Shyamarahasya''.

== Kali Forms ==

The four arms of '''Kali''' are believed to represent the complete circle of creation and destruction, a energy of transformation and spiritual awakening, both contained within her.
In her right hands, making the [[mudra]] position of “fear not” and conferring boons, are the creative aspect of '''Kali'''.
Her left hands, holding sword and a head are her destructive aspect. The bloodied sword and severed head symbolize the destruction of ignorance and apathy, the awakening for the knowledge, in this frame we can assume that the sword that she holds are the sword of knowledge it self, that cuts the roots of ignorance and dismember the false consciousness (the severed head) from the body.
Her three eyes represent the sun, the moon, and the fire, with which she sees though the past, the present and the future. This last tree attributes are also the reason of the name '''Kali''', which is the feminine form of ‘Kala’, a ''Sanskrit'' term for Time.