What is the mythology of Kali Purusha?

 Disclaimer: Kali Purusha is not to be confused with Kali Ma (i.e., Goddess Kali, whose name is pronounced 'Kaa-lee', whereas Kali Purusha is pronounced ‘Kuh-lee’).

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!

Kali Purusha is the personality that is the embodiment of all negativity in Kali-yuga (i.e., the age of quarrel) and can loosely be termed as the Vedic equivalent of the personality of Satan in the Abrahamic traditions.

Kali Purusha is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam as the son of anger and envy, the grandson of cunningness and greed, the great-grandson of pride and illusion, and the great-great-grandson of sin and falsehood.

mṛṣādharmasya bhāryāsīd dambhaṁ māyāṁ ca śatru-han asūta mithunaṁ tat tu nirṛtir jagṛhe ’prajaḥ tayoḥ samabhaval lobho nikṛtiś ca mahā-mate tābhyāṁ krodhaś ca hiṁsā ca yad duruktiḥ svasā kaliḥ

Translation:

“Another son of Lord Brahmā was Irreligion, whose wife’s name was Falsity. From their combination were born two demons named Dambha, or Bluffing, and Māyā, or Cheating. These two demons were taken by a demon named Nirṛti, who had no children. Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Māyā were born Greed and Nikṛti, or Cunning. From their combination came children named Krodha [Anger] and Hiṁsā [Envy], and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech).” - Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.2–3

It is said once Lord Krishna’s leela was finished, Kali Purusha began to reign and increase the influence of adharma and paap (i.e., unrighteousness and sin) in ignorant individuals who lack spiritual consciousness and are attracted to materialism.

yasminn ahani yarhy eva bhagavān utsasarja gām tadaivehānuvṛtto ’sāv adharma-prabhavaḥ kaliḥ
nānudveṣṭi kaliṁ samrāṭ sāraṅga iva sāra-bhuk kuśalāny āśu siddhyanti netarāṇi kṛtāni yat
kiṁ nu bāleṣu śūreṇa kalinā dhīra-bhīruṇā apramattaḥ pramatteṣu yo vṛko nṛṣu vartate

Translation:

“The very day and moment the Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, left this earth, the personality of Kali, who promotes all kinds of irreligious activities, came into this world. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was a realist, like the bees who only accept the essence [of a flower]. He knew perfectly well that in this Age of Kali, auspicious things produce good effects immediately, whereas inauspicious acts must be actually performed [to render effects]. So he was never envious of the personality of Kali. Mahārāja Parīkṣit considered that less intelligent men might find the personality of Kali to be very powerful, but that those who are self-controlled would have nothing to fear. The King was powerful like a tiger and took care for the foolish, careless persons.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.5–8

To prevent Pariksit Maharaja from killing him, Kali Purusha agreed that he would only reside in places where unrighteous activities were performed.

sūta uvāca abhyarthitas tadā tasmai sthānāni kalaye dadau dyūtaṁ pānaṁ striyaḥ sūnā yatrādharmaś catur-vidhaḥ

Translation:

“Sūta Gosvāmī said: Mahārāja Parīkṣit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.38

He was not destined to be killed by Pariksit Maharaja because it is prophesied that Lord Vishnu, as His incarnation of Lord Kalki, will kill all adharmic personalities, including Kali Purusha, and end Kali-yuga:

aśvam āśu-gam āruhya devadattaṁ jagat-patiḥ asināsādhu-damanam aṣṭaiśvarya-guṇānvitaḥ
vicarann āśunā kṣauṇyāṁ hayenāpratima-dyutiḥ nṛpa-liṅga-cchado dasyūn koṭiśo nihaniṣyati

Translation:

“Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings.” - Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.19–20

This is stated by Lord Vishnu Himself in the Kalki Purana to the devatas:

"After hearing everything that the demigods had to say regarding the situation on earth, the lotus-eyed Lord Hari said: O Brahma, rest assured that I will soon descend to the earth and appear in the village known as Shambhala. I will take birth in the house of a Brahmana named Vishnuyasha, from the womb of his wife, Sumati. My mission will be to eliminate the wicked Kali and his influence with the help of My four brothers. O devatas, your expansions should also take birth on the earth to assist Me in My mission. My consort, the beloved lotus-eyed Kamala-devi, will also appear on the earth, having the name Padma. She will be born from the womb of Kaumudi, the wife of Brihadratha, the king of Simhala. O demigods, you should not delay. By your plenary portions, take birth on the earth. Later on, I will entrust the responsibility for ruling the earth to two powerful kings named Maru and Devapi. I will then again establish Satya-yuga, and thus reinstate the principles of religion as they were before. Rest assured that I will return to Vaikuntha only after destroying the poisonous snake, Kali." - Kalki Purana (2.4–8)

Hare Krishna

How did Cāmundā Kālī come into existence according to the story of Śumbha and Niśumbha?

 Chamunda Kaali is a roopa of Umadevi’s Durga roopa. When the devatas were frustrated by the nuisance of Shumbha and Nishumbha, they approached Kailasa and prayed there to Vishnumaya Durga, who had previously killed Mahishasura. They praised Her as present in every soul in the form of power, intellect, hunger, mother, peace, forgiveness, shyness, sleep/slumber, knowledge, growth, satisfaction, courage, etc. She is present in every soul as these qualities in three forms - Sattvika, Raajasika and Taamasika. That’s why the devatas say, “Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha”, thus bowing to the three forms of the Devi.

When this was going on, Umadevi was going for a bath when She saw the devatas praying. She thought, “When I am here, whom are these devatas praying to?” Suddenly, a Devi came from Her body cell. She was dark in color and was holding a bell, trident, plough, conch shell, and a cylindrical club, a discus, a bow, and an arrow. This was none other than Mahasaraswati. This is Umadevi’s Durga roopa. Earlier, Umadevi had a dark body, due to which Lord Shiva once mockingly called Her Kaali. She felt bad and did penance to please Lord Brahma, and She got a golden body, after which She was known as Gowry. Now, this dark body didn’t go to waste. It was in Her body cells. The devatas have the power to do so. So, now when these devatas were praising Vishnumaya Durga, this Vishnumaya Durga entered that dark body of Umadevi present in Her cell and came out as Mahasaraswati. That body contained Uma sannidhana; therefore, it is Umadevi’s Durga roopa. Since She came from Umadevi’s body cell (Kosha or cell), She was known as Kaushiki.

Now, when this Chandika Durga (Mahasaraswati) was sitting on Her vehicle, which is the lion, then Shumbha and Nishumbha both saw Her. They were captivated by Her beauty and wanted to marry Her, due to which they sent a messenger to Devi. That messenger came and told Chandika Durga that Shumbha and Nishumbha were attracted by Her beauty and wanted to marry Her. Devi, on hearing this, said, “Out of childishness, in my childhood I had vowed that I would marry the one who could defeat me. If they defeat me, then only I can marry them. Go and tell this to both of the demon kings.”

The messenger went and told everything that Devi told. Both Shumbha and Nishumbha were very angry about this and considered that Devi was being adamant. So, they sent a demon by the name Dhoomralochana. Dhoomralochana came with a large troop to attack Devi. He came running towards Devi in pure anger. Devi reduced him to ashes just by Her humkaara (making of the ‘Hum’ sound). When the news of Dhoomralochana’s death reached Shumbha and Nishumbha, they were very much angry, and they sent Chanda and Munda, named demons, to fight Devi. Here, the lion of Devi started destroying the soldiers. With its nails, it killed the demon soldiers; with its bare hands, it hit the soldiers and beheaded them. The lion pounced on some soldiers and killed them. Thus, the king of lions destroyed many soldiers in this manner.

Now, Chanda and Munda came there to fight. On seeing Devi sitting on the Mount Kailasa, on Her vehicle, the lion, they both ran towards Her to attack Her. At that time, Devi was very angry at them. And from Her forehead came Kaali. She was a very fierce form of Devi, with blood-red eyes and a garland of human heads; Her tongue had come out as She came out, wearing the tiger skin as Her clothes. As She was coming out, She started killing the demons. She pulled out the demons by their legs, heads, etc., and ate them and killed them. She pulled some demons by their hair, some by their neck, some by their legs, some by their thighs, like this, and ate them. This way, Kaali was fiercely fighting with the demons. This Kaali now fought with Chanda and cut his head and killed him. On seeing this, Munda was frightened. He ran from there, but Devi caught him and laughed aloud, beheaded Munda too, and killed him.

Now, this Kaali went to Chandika Durga and told Her that She had killed Chanda and Munda. Chandika Durga said, “Since you killed these two wicked demons, Chanda and Munda, you will be known as Chamunda/Chamundi. That’s why Kaalidevi is known as Chamunda.

यस्माच्चण्डं च मुण्डं च गृहीत्वा त्वमुपागता।
चामुण्डेति ततो लोके ख्याता देवि भविष्यसि॥
Because you have captured and brought to me the severed heads of both Chanda and Munda, you, O Goddess, shall henceforth be known and revered throughout the world by the name Chamunda.
[Markandeya Purana, Devi Mahatmya, Uttara Charita, Chanda Munda Vadha, Shloka 27]

Hope this helps!
Jay SriRam!
ShriKrishnarpanamastu!

Are Kali and Shiva the same?

 Yes, absolutely.

Kali is Shiva in his absolute femininity. The projection or the executive power (Shakti) of Shiva depicted in a female form is Kali. And vice versa, the stable base or the consciousness that eternally holds Kali depicted in a male form is Shiva. The relationship of Shiva and Shakti is beyond everything, unlike in humans or animals where there are two different entities or souls that come into a relationship, for example.. A husband and wife, in case of Shiva and Shakti, it's one Supreme Entity that functions in duality.. However, the truth is non-duality.

So definitely, Shakti is not separate from Shiva. The Ultimate Brahman has two aspects– Purush and Prakriti.

One is the static, unmoving, still consciousness and the other is the flowing, active, dynamic energy. The static aspect has the flowing energy to keep it charged and the flowing aspect has the static consciousness to hold it in a right direction.

The union of these two aspects is the one complete reality. It is only for the expansion that the split happens and then creation takes place, from one to two to infinite forms are taken by Parabrahman.

Shiva's own reflection manifests as Kali (Shakti)

Har Har Mahadev 🙏 Jai Mahakali 🙏

What does the depiction of Kali with Shiva and Mahakal reveal about the roles of these deities in Hindu mythology?

 It’s a deep concept in Tantra.

The image of Goddess Kali with Shiva & Mahakal shows a very deep concept in Tantra. These 3 aren't 3 but actually 1 Ultimate Truth represented in 3 forms.

Firstly, Shiva is depicted lying down in Shavasana, above him is Mahakal who is Shiva himself but in a more intense and fierce form. Above Mahakal, it's Maa Kali who is seated.

It is actually the depiction of the energies.

Firstly, Shiva as the auspicious, benevolent one serves as the base. This is the calm, peaceful force, the Consciousness.

Above him is Mahakal, the fierce form of Shiva who is the controller of time, he is the Ultimate Ruler who brings the transformation, the necessary change and evolution. Above Mahakal is Mahakali, his Queen, the Ultimate Energy who acts as the unstoppable force who makes things happen.

Now this depiction is not about superiority of one over the other, it is the perfect depiction of the static, still Aadhara (Shiva) upon which the active forces Mahakal (Shiva) and Kali (Shakti) function.

The idea is that when you are absolutely still (Shiva), it serves as the foundation for the transformation (Mahakal) and then you turn into the unstoppable, uncontrollable force (Kali). So the peaceful, calm and stable Shiva serves as the base for the transformation (Mahakal) who then eventually becomes Mahakali. Kali (Shakti) is Shiva himself at 100% femininity (dynamic force) when Shiva puts down his masculinity to 0 level (static), the more stable and still remains, his Shakti emerges from him with more intensity.

Mahakal is the perfect balance, equilibrium between the inactive state of Shiva and the unstoppable force of Kali. The union of Shiva and Shakti is the perfect representation of the functioning of Prakriti over Purush as the Aadhara (Base).

This depiction serves as a great lesson in understanding the basic Tantra in a sense that if you want to be unstoppable in growth, if you want nothing to control you then you must have a solid base which leads you to a transformation into that powerful personality. It can be understood in this way too.

So Shiva and his Mahakal swaroop along with Kali are the forces within us that make us function properly. Without Shakti, there is no life, we would be Shava (corpse) and without Shiva, there is no stability, we’ll be wild and crazy. For functioning, Energy is needed but to hold that energy, consciousness is needed. That's the play of consciousness and energy that together make things happen properly.

Jai Mahakal 🙏 Jai Mahakali 🙏

Why did the goddess Kali appear before Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa?

 Because of the great deeds of his past life. Great Karmas of past life lead him towards true and immense devotion to Maa Kali.

When he was appointed as priest in Maa Kali temple, he always used to think about Maa Kali. He always used to sing songs for his mother. In front of the idol of Maa Kali, he used to say - O Maa, Am i a very bad son? Why don't you give darshan to me?

Then he firmly decided to have darshan of Maa Kali. Ramakrishna ji did severe penance for 6 years and due to less sleep his eyes were always red, day and night he remembered only and only mother, but even after trying so hard , he did not get darshan of Maa Kali, due to which he was extremely pertubed.

Then, in anguish he went infront of Maa's idol and spoke to idol that if she doesn't come to give her darshan , he would end his life at that moment only. Then, seeing a sword placed in a close by room withinside the temple of Maa Kali, he ran towards it to end his life. And guess what happened?

Just before that sword was caught, the doors of the temple , walls of the temple , idol of maa kali , and the floor on which he was standing ( literally everything ) completely disappeared, as if there was nothing.

Then, he saw the huge waves of ​​light coming from all the directions which was giving him the ultimate thrill and then Maa Kali appeared before her son. He was completely overwhelmed by this experience and his happiness was on another level, he finally got the darshan of his dear mother which he desperately wanted and was blessed forever.

• Without Maa Kali's wish, one cannot be as devoted to her as Ramakrishna was.
• Same is the case with Parmeshwar Shiv. They themselves choose their top devotees to whom they wish to give Kaivalya/Nirvana [ The Ultimate Moksha mentioned by Sri Ram in Muktika Upanishad ]
• Since Ramkrishna was a pure soul (free from lust, jealousy and hatred, obviously due to Maa’s grace) and his bhakti was on another level , he had the privilege of having direct darshan of Maa Kali.
• Maa Parvati/Kali/Lalita Tripura Sundari can be seen only by rishis (who try to fight their inner enemies like lust, greed, anger without any reason, jealousy etc.).

Such intelligent pure souls ( like Ramkrishna Paramhansa , Adi Sankaracharya , Ramana Maharishi , Goswami Tulsidas etc ) never abused any deity ( who was not their Aradhya ) in their lifetime. They never said pilgrimage related to other gods is sinful or Lord Shiva/Vishnu inferior than "deities like Vayu or Indra" because they were true scholars and gentlemen.

Unfortunately, in this Kali Yuga, such great personalities are/were abused a lot by diskCONites and andh-bhakts of a hateful cultist Madhvacharya who abused Shiv-Sakti badly ( Example : Sheshnaag or Tulsi or Vayu > Maa Durga , Maa Laxmi will kill Parmeshwar Shiv, Vayu > Parmeshwar Shiv , Parmeshwar Shiv is a sinner, Kedarnath pilgrimage is a sin etc).

What are some amazing lesser-known facts about the Hindu goddess Kali?

 

Shri Kali Ji -- The Ultimate Form Of Brahman, "Devourer of Time".

• Beej Mantra of Shri Kali Ji is Kreem(क्रीं). Om(ॐ) is the primordial sound of Universe. The Beej Mantra Kreem is the seed of Creation. It contains the unmanifested Creation. Universe materialises from Kreem and gets dissolved into Kreem. Since Matter is Energy in vibrations so the vibrations produced from Kreem can cause Universe to Manifest from Void and also has the capacity to Dematerialize back into the seed.
• Shri Kali Ji's black complexion symbolises dissolution of creation within Her and from this Darkness everything is born. The pitch black colour is darkest than the dark of the Death Night representing the Brahman in supreme unmanifest state. It also represents Her being Nirguna, beyond all Dualities and Transcendent.
• Shri Kali Ji is shown only wearing garland of Skulls and Skirt of Arms but without any clothing as clothes cannot cover Her infinite form. She appears without any worldly clothing as She represents Prakriti or Mother Nature. When we are born we are born naked. Clothing is essential because we are of impure mind. Clothing is a worldly possession and Kali being Nirguna is beyond the covering of Maya. Like Digambars who renounce every worldly possession including clothing.
• Shri Kali Ji's dishevelled hair compliments her rage in battlefield. In Her rage Shri Kali Ji can't be controlled but can only be pacified through surrender.
• Shri Kali Ji is standing on Shiv Ji's chest and worshipped in this form because She is Shiv Ji's Shakti i.e. Mahakaal's feminine aspect Mahakali or Shakti. Shakti is always supreme as without Shakti, Shiv Ji is Shava or Dead. Even we are like dead without Energy or Shakti. If Bhagavān Shiv Ji is flame then Shri Kali Ji is heat of the flame.
• Kali Ji's tongue is protruding out because it's like an "awww" expression or embarrassment that She in Her rage stepped on Her physical aspect that is Purusha or Shiv Ji. This symbolizes a woman's," lajja". It also signifies that the White Teeth symbolising Sattvic Nature conquers the Red Tongue symbolising the Rajasic Nature.
• Both Bhagavān Shiv and Shri Kali Ji concept is like Consciousness and Matter. Where Shiv Ji is Pure Consciousness which is responsible for making living beings conscious about themselves and Shri Kali Ji is like Matter which is responsible for Materialization of whole Creation. We cannot segregate the two i.e. Shiva and Shakti otherwise the whole Creation will come to an end. Just like Prakriti(active but Non Self) and Purusha(inactive but Pure Consciousness) coming together for Creation. Similar analogy can be given of Brahman and it's Maya which are inseparable as Maya is Shakti of Brahman but also responsible for Ignorance(Avidya) which gives a sense of Duality in all conscious Beings as they can't segregate themselves from Pancha Koshas(5 Sheaths) and realise themselves as Knower of the 5 Sheaths and distinct from it.
• Shri Kali Ji is Mahamaya so it is necessary to propitiate Her as without Her wish one cannot look beyond the veil of Maya and realize one's true Self(Ātman).
• Bhagavān Shiv Ji and Shri Kali Ji doesn't represent Materialism but are beyond it. That's why their abode is Shmashana. They are giver of Moksha which is final aim of every Jivatma. Together they take you towards end of Karmic Cycle and not bind you with it through the worldly norms or attachments. So the form in which they are represented physically cannot be justified through any worldly point of view. Interpretation of the forms of the Formless Brahman requires deep spiritual bent like Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
• Can anyone who resides in Shmashana be considered acceptable in normal society?The answer is NO. So Bhagavān Shiv Ji and Shri Kali Ji should be understood outside the periphery of worldly norms because within it everything is perishable but Mahakaal and Mahakali are beyond this impermanent world or body.
• Shri Kali Ji is first Mahāvidyā, if one gets Siddhi in Shri Kali Mahāvidyā Sādhanā then due to Her grace one can get Siddhi in the rest 9 Mahāvidyās with much less efforts. Mahāvidyā Sādhanā Siddhi also grants success in other sādhanā like Apsara Sādhanā as the Tapobal of the sādhaka is increased due to Mahāvidyā Sādhanā and Apsaras are easily attracted towards an advanced sādhaka with high Spiritual Vibrations.
• In reality, Shri Kali Ji is very benevolent. Though She is not Black at all but Her ferocious form(Ugra) is for the Adharmis. Through sādhanā one can experience Her if the sādhaka has pure Heart like a child. She is very innocent and caring. One can have Her Visions as She is easily pleased through Bhakti and Devotion.
• Sometimes She plays with you like a child. For e.g. If you are sleeping, She will suddenly appear and will wake you with Her beautiful Divine Vision and then go away instantly. Then the sādhaka will feel like a fish which has been taken out of pond and will long for Her Darshan. But if asked for Her Darshan once She is pleased then She starts visiting regularly. The example cited by me is from my own experience.

What is the difference between Kali and Dakhina Kal?

 Kaala is time personified. Kaali is the shakti of Kaala, i.e. Kaali is the

animator of Time. It is She who causes the time to flow (or even to stop).

The concept of time and its flow are behind the entire delusion of duality. As

per Vedanta, there is nothing called past or future, here or there, I or you.

There is Brahman at all places and all times. The objectification of Brahman

into various objects is possible due to the play of Kaala and Kaali and the

creation of a concept of " time". One absorbed in non-dual Brahman without any

concept of time or objectification is immortal. Time, the great devourer,

catches up with anyone stuck in duality, sooner or later.

BTW, Kaala and Kaali are inseparable. Without the " flow of time", there is no

" time " itself. Similarly, without time, there cannot be a flow of time. Thus,

time and its flow exist together and cannot exist without each other.

* * *

Dakshina not only means the south, but it also means right. Tantra texts talk of

Dakshina Kaali and Vaama Kaali. Dakshina Kaali is propitiated using

dakshinaachaaraa (right-handed practice), while Vaama Kaali is propitiated using

vaamaachaara (left-handed practice). The former is worshipped in temples, while

the latter is worshipped in shmashaana (cemeteries). The latter is also known as

Shmashaana Kaali. Symbolically these two versions are depicted with the right foot

and left foot forward, respectively.

The right side is associated with Pingala nadi, Surya (Sun) and devatas (gods). It

is also linked to the left brain and structured thinking. The left side is

associated with Ida nadi, Chandra (Moon) and pitris (manes). It is also linked

to the right brain and emotional and intuitive thinking.

Dakshinaachaara attempts to reach the supreme using a structured approach. One

does not try to destroy layers of deep conditioning of the mind in one shot and

takes an orderly and structured approach. It is appropriate for temples (places

of public spiritual practice) and for the general public too. Vaamaachaara

(left-handed path), on the other hand, attempts to nuke the layers of deep

conditioning of the mind by throwing the mind into dark alleys that force the

mind to realize the non-distinction between light and darkness. Of course, there

is a chance one will fall and settle down in the darkness.

The tools and imagery used by dakshinaachaara followers worshipping Dakshina

Kaali and those used by vaamaachaara followers worshipping Shmashaana Kaali may

be different, but they are searching for the same primordial energy that results

in the flow of time.

Thus, Dakshina Kaali and Shmashaana Kaali are not really different and merely

represent different paths to obtain the same realization. Different forms of

Kaali represents different paths to arrive at the same realization.

* * *

Bhadra means auspicious. While one aspect of Time is that Time devours all and

brings the end of every object in the field of duality, the flow of Time does

more. The flow of time brings the fruits of various karmas, brings maturity and

transformation in various objects of the field of duality and brings them closer

to liberation. When one ponders the primordial energy that results in the flow

of time, from these angles, this path is represented by Bhadra Kaali. She is

also worshipped in temples like Dakshina Kaali.

* * *

Mahaa Kaali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati are three parts of the very

initial root primordial energy that is referred to as the golden-hued " Mahaa

Lakshmi " in Saptashati rahasya. This very initial root primordial energy Mahaa

Lakshmi divides Herself into 3 parts - Mahaa Kaali, Mahaa Lakshmi and Mahaa

Saraswati, 3 distinct aspects of primordial energy. These 3 energies create

3 couples - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and their consorts. We may see this very

initial root primordial energy " Mahaa Lakshmi " as the expression of the supreme

cosmic being, as the energy that makes the supreme cosmic being be, want, think

and know.

Chandi represents fierce energy that makes one battle and overcomes various

weaknesses and conditioning of the mind and reach this very initial root

primordial energy.