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There are many different belief systems existing about Kali Ma, her forms, and her worship. Today I’d like to share the belief system I grew up with. Some who read this may find that it “makes sense” to them on a subconscious level. Some will say no, no this is wrong. What I can tell you is that my understanding of Ma Kali has been extended many times by many teachers but in the end, I keep returning to the belief I grew up with. Not because it is ingrained in me, but more because I found that it works for me.

You see, I was born to a Kali devotee and a Krishna devotee. My mom and I were both born with Kali Ma as our Ishtadevi. My parents both agreed that a relationship with God is beneficial for all. My father always says “Who needs? Not God. We need.” This saying may have been born from a history my parents shared of dealing with spiritual attacks from petty people. Their hope was that they could give me a foundation where I would have protection. Their plan was to raise me to love Kali Ma so I would always feel confident going to her if I need help. Their strategy was to teach me about Ma, her different forms, and how she changes lives (based on scripture stories and personal accounts from others), to help me build a relationship with her. There are 3 forms that have always been dearest to my heart and so today I’ll share my beliefs about MahaKali, Ma Kalika, and Ma Bhadrakali.

I was taught MahaKali is the personification of the universal power of transformation, the transcendent power of Time, the Great Goddess who rules unchallenged over the universe and all that is in it. We do not do pujas for her or give her offerings. Instead, we look within and meditate upon her. We can also chant Om Shri Mahakali. We all come from her. She is the energy that is us. There is nothing on this land we can offer her because it’s all her. Instead, we connect with her.

She has ten faces, ten feet, and three eyes for each head.

Each of her ten hands is carrying a different component. These weapons represent the power of one of the Devas or Hindu Gods.

She is decked with ornaments on all her limbs. In this form, she does not stand on Lord Shiva.

It is said that meditating on MahaKali brings spiritual advancement very quickly as she bestows the power of Kundalini Shakti.

She is regarded as a repository of great compassion.

MahaKali sub-divides herself into the 10 goddesses known as the Mahāvidyās (ten objects of transcendent wisdom) which are the 10 aspects of the cycle of time — they’re representative of the entire processes of projection and withdrawal of the universe. They are the underlying subtle energies of which the gross universe is the outer expression. Based on the Shiv Purana, Sati Ma was able to manifest all 10 forms, as explained in the story where she wanted to force Lord Shiva to face his fears when he tried to stop her from attending her father’s Yagna. Here are those 10 forms/aspects:

Kālī,

Tārā,

Tripurasundarī,

Bhuvaneśvarī,

Chinnamastā,

Bhairavī,

Dhūmāvatī,

Bagalāmukhī,

Mātaṅgī

Kamalā

Kali Ma is not the easiest Goddess to reach. For first-timers, it takes a lot of devotion, faith, and consistency.

I was taught that Kalika Ma is this first sub-division of MahaKali known as Kali but also that she is Durga Ma’s (also known as Ambika Ma) other half, known as Kalika. Durga Ma and Kalika Ma were the two halves of the Goddess Parvati. I was taught that you could not pray to Kali Ma without praying to Durga ma and vice versa. Here is the story I learned growing up:

Two demon brothers, named Sumbha and Nisumbha, did a very long Tapasya (austere spiritual meditation practice) that pleased Lord Brahma so much that he granted them a boon that no male, from birds to deities, could ever destroy them.

With the power of this boon at their disposal, the demon brothers returned to their home, and the oldest, Sumbha, was soon crowned king of all demons. The best-of-the-best demon warriors vowed their fealty to Sumbha and brought their own armies to stand with the new demon king and his brother, with the goal to take over the heavens.

The demons succeeded.

The Devas left the heavens and fled, out of terror, to the caves of hills and mountains and the lonely forests of the earth. They were deprived of all their devotees’ offerings, they were without any weapons, without power, and without any home.

One thousand years passed and the Devas came to a point where they were drowning in difficulties and troubles. They found a great Muni and asked for his help. They asked him to use the spells of the Vedas to overcome these demons so that the Devas may take their Heaven back. But the Muni said he could not because all those spells in the Vedas were dependent on the blessings of these same Devas who were now in difficult times themselves. What were they to do now? The Muni reminded them that long ago, the Great Bhagavati Ma granted the Devas a boon that they need only remember Her in times of difficulties and She will relieve them of all their troubles and sorrows. The Muni then advised them to head off to the Himâlayâs Mountain and call on the Great Devi with their hearts and lay their troubles at her feet.

So off the Devas went to the Himâlayâs Mountain to sit in a cave that they were told was visited by the Divine Mother occassionaly. The Devas sat in meditation upon the Divine Mother, with her distilled in their hearts and her beej mantra HRIM on their minds and lips.

One day, after an age had passed, a bright light washed through the mountain and the Devas opened their eyes to find the Great Goddess Parvati before them. Their hearts filled with love and joy and they cried out to the Divine Mother,“Devi Bhagavati, Sumbha and Nisumbha torment the worlds. They have cast the Devas out of Devaloka and rule the three worlds in our place. Evil stalks creation and demons like Raktabija, Chanda, and Munda hold sway over time and the elements. Like Mahishasura of old, Sumbha and his brother cannot be slain by any man. You are our only refuge, Mahamaye. Merciful Mother, save us!”*

When the Divine Mother saw the condition of the Devas a great rage took her and she started to tremble so strongly that the whole mountain shook. Her roars of outrage and sorrow could be heard across the land. Just as the shaking and outcries became unbearable to even the Devas, and all thought the universe was about to end, the Devi Ambika on her lion stepped out of Parvati Ma’s body, and Parvati Ma was now left as Kalika Ma. Dark as a night without stars, known by the name of Kalaratri too. As terrifying looking and Durga Ma was pretty. Ambika Mata gave Kali Ma a seat on her lion and promised the Devas that they would deal with the demons and give the Devas back their home. They won the war of course, but not without a little help from a third Devi, BhadraKali.

*excerpt from theDevi Bhagvatam Retold.

Of these three great forms of the Divine Mother, I believe I feel closest to Ma BhadraKali. Many refer to her as Kali Ma. Many refer to all Devis as Kali Ma with the belief that all are one. As I mentioned earlier, I was raised to love Kali Ma in all her forms and to feel confident about going to any of her forms for help but I must admit that in my older years I have found that Ma BhadraKali is always quick to show up to help. Maybe it’s because of the story that I learned that is also in the Devi Bhagvatam.

Durga Ma and Kalika Ma were on the battlefield fighting against armies and armies of demons. A moment came where Durga Ma became dark with rage and from her stepped out Ma BhadraKali, and launched herself at the asura armies, swallowing whole chariots and blowing out fireballs like candles on a birthday cake.

While Durga Ma and Kalika Ma defeated the armies, Chanda and Munda attacked Ma Bhadrakali. Fools. Ma Bhadrakali rounded them up and took them to Kalika Ma and Durga Ma to offer the demon brothers heads to the great Devis. Ma Durga and Ma Kali said there is no cruelty, only purity, from leaving this land at the hands of Ma Bhadrakali and so the offering was made. Ma Durga praised Ma Bhadrakali by naming her Chamundayai because the souls of the demons were saved as the demon bodies died at Ma Bhadrakali’s blessed hands.

OM AIM HREEM KLEEM CHAMUNDAYE VICHE

Yes I know, I know, many say that this mantra is for Ma Durga, but is Ma Bhadrakali not a part of her? Growing up, whenever I felt fear of my environment, like when I was walking home from school or as an adult walking home from the train after the evening shift, I would repeat this mantra constantly in my head, and I would feel Ma Bhadrakali with me all the way home. Protecting me. Comforting me.

(If you use malas when chanting mantras,these handmade malas are my favorites.This is not an affiliate link but I did ask for a coupon code for my readers. Use code KKRam for 35% off Malas while supplies last. I notice inventory is low but the merchant says it’s because they’re handmade.)

Well, I hope you enjoy my stories and find it helpful and shareworthy. If you’re a TikTok user, you can find me athttps://www.tiktok.com/@keekaliram