Kali (Mahavidya)

Kali is the first of the ten Mahavidyas — the tantric 'great wisdoms' or supreme forms of the Divine Mother. As Mahavidya Kali (specifically Dakshina Kali), she represents the ultimate reality beyond time itself. Her terrifying form is a mask — she is the most compassionate and direct path to liberation for the sincere tantric sadhaka. She destroys ego, ignorance, and the bondage of karma. The great saints Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sri Ramprasad Sen were devotees of Mahavidya Kali, and their experiences of her grace are recorded in thousands of Bengali devotional songs.

Black complexion, naked or wearing only a skirt of severed arms and a garland of severed heads. Four arms holding a severed head, a bloody sword, and showing abhaya and varada mudras. Long red tongue lolling out. Standing or dancing on the body of Shiva. Wild disheveled hair.

Sacred Day

Tuesday