Maa Maha Kaali, often simply Referred To As Maa Kaali, Is A Powerful And Fierce Aspect Of The Divine Mother In traditions of Indian subcontinent. Maa Maha Kaali Is Associated With Kaal or Time, Creation, Transformation and Dissolution. Maa Kaali Is Revered As The Divine Mother Of Death And Rebirth, Symbolizing the cycle of life And The Divine Mother’s Power To Destroy evil and ignorance. Maa Maha Kaali Is Also Venerated As The Ultimate Reality Or Brahman, Transcending the material world.
The worship Of Maa Kaali dates back to ancient india, with known roots in the vedic traditions and the tantric practices. Over time, it is believed, that the rituals of worship Of Maa Maha Kaali evolved through the puranic texts and gained significance in various parts of india, especially in bengal.
The Sacred compilation “Devi Mahatmya”, a part of the markandeya purana, is one of the earliest written texts which extensively Describes The Divine Mother As Maa Maha Kaali and speaks about Battles And Other Myths. The worship Of Maa Kaali became especially significant during the medieval period with the rise of “shaktism”, a sect that Venerates The Divine Mother As The Supreme Deity.
However, it is known that in the Indian tradition and culture the act of writing down Sacred Subjects is considered disrespectful – that Sacred, Holy And Divine Matters should be preserved in the heart and mind, not written down somewhere as it is believed that the Spoken Word and Written Text or Symbol Are Alive, and although inanimate similar to a mountain, Are Expressions Of The Divine with the consciousness of the human and other entities. As the mountain may often erupt as the volcano, so do The Seemingly Inanimate Forms Remain Alive. In Ancient Indian traditions the spoken word- vibrations- are given the highest significance, as it is considered to be the subtlest form of interaction – which The Divine Seem To Prefer More. Spoken Words retain the Formlessness Nature Of The Divine more than Taking Any Form, i,e, written text. In fact, those writing down to remember would be considered inferior to others who retained the vedas, scriptures and wisdom in their minds. Therefore, The Sacred Texts, Information, historical facts were always passed down orally, over generations, with complete integrity of information intact – at least within selective communities. Such as the kaula and other traditions which Revere The Divine Mother As Maa Maha Kaali.
India is famous for the oral tradition of – especially the fact of retaining integrity of information due to the highly careful way of communicating and handling by the shishyas from the gurus. Similarly, The Myth Of The Divine Mother Maa Maha Kaali is known to be much older than the oldest written texts found or discovered. They are said to be hundreds of thousands of years old. In many large and living communities, they are fully convinced that the Myths are many millions of years old.
Worship Of Maa Maha Kaali can be performed through rituals, prayers, and meditation.
Common practices include:
– Puja (ritual worship): Offering oblation flowers, incense, and food To The Idol Or Image Of The Depiction Of Maa Maha Kaali.
– Chanting mantras: Reciting specific prayers and mantras for the worship Of Maa Kaali.
– Meditation: Focusing On The Depiction Of The Divine Form Of Maa Maha Kaali.
– Tantric rituals: Involves more esoteric practices that may include the use of yantras (geometric symbols) and mantras for the worship Of Maa Maha Kaali.
Some popular mantras for the worship Of Maa Kaali include:
– “Maa Kaali Mantra”: “Om Krim Maa KaliKayai Namah” (I bow To The Divine Mother Maa Kaali)
– “Maha Kaali Mantra”: “Om Sri Maa Maha KaliKayai Namah”
– “Maa Kaali Gayatri Mantra”: “Om Maa Maha Kalikayai Cha Vidmahe SmashanaVasinyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Maa Kaali Prachodayat”
Maa Maha Kaali is often depicted holding various Weapons, each symbolizing different aspects of Her Power:
Maa Kaali’s Blue-Black Complexion Symbolizes the infinitude of the night sky and the infinite nature of time and space. It Also Symbolizes Maa Maha Kaali’s Transcendence Of All Forms And Attributes. The Dark Color Indicates That Maa Maha Kaali Is Beyond the physical realm And Embodies The Void From Which all creation emerges.
Maa Maha Kaali Standing On lord shiva Symbolizes The Dynamic Interplay Of The Destructive And Regenerative Forces Of the universe. Lord shiva symbolizes the passive potential of creation. Maa Maha Kaali Is Symbolic Of The Active Force. Thus, The Depiction Of Maa Maha Kaali’s Standing On lord shiva Symbolizes the balance of energies necessary for cosmic harmony.
The yantra for the worship Of and meditation On Maa Maha Kaali is a geometric design. The yantra for the worship Of Maa Maha Kaali is composed of a central point or “bindu.” The bindu resides within five downward-facing triangles which are insidethree circles. The circles themselves eight lotus petals, and the eight lotus petals are enclosed within a square shape, symbolizing the four directions – protected.
This Sacred Yantra preserves many esoteric secrets. The secrets contained include deepest wisdom, highest wisdom as well as access to attaining siddhis by sadhaks/devotees. Many of the secrets Of This Sacred Yantra are not divulged to the public and only retained through initiated torch-bearers, secret communities, preserved for safekeeping – ensuring such power does not fall into the wrong hands. Without proper initiation, it is not advisable to meditate with the Yantra or “Draw”, paint or carry as emblem. A yantra – by literal definition – means instrument. These “shapes”, as they may appear, are nothing but POWERFUL INSTRUMENTS- preserved throughout ages, by the sages, and made public with limited exposure – and described only to the extent which is safe for them. Just as how one would use an instrument in their homes to turn on the light, but make sure no cable is exposed which a child can touch and get electrocuted. Below, is a common and general description of the meaning of the Elements in THIS Yantra:-
The bindu symbolises the point – of creation and destruction – and also represents the spot of extreme concentration for the sadhaka to attain samadhi with. The elaboration and deeper meanings of bindu can fill many books easily.
The five inverted triangles symbolize the creative power of The Divine Mother. They also symbolise the 5 layers/sheaths of consciousness which are within the understandable/accessible realms of a human mind. The 5 wisdom Provided from the 5 downward-facing triangles, in yogic language, include knowledge of purusha, prakruti, chitta kaal, and beyond.
The three circles, or chakras, signify the rotating or cyclic progression of the universe. They also symbolise the higher dimensions which are not directly accessible to the human mind unless allowed. They include knowledge of past-present-future, one’s soul’s purpose and lifetimes, liberation.
The eight lotus petals, known as padma, symbolize purity and spiritual detachment. They also symbolise the most fundamental siddhis which are “Awarded” to the sadhak, sincere, devoted, who are Allowed these to perform towards the fulfillment of their human life-journey.
The Yantra, when one is initiated, can Directly take a worshiper to samadhi without much effort and bring about realisation of The Maa Maha Kaali and
allow to seek The Blessings From The Divine Mother Maa Maha Kaali.
The Wisdom Imparted By The Depiction Of Maa Maha Kaali Emphasize the impermanence of life, destroying the ego’s dominance, and overcoming ignorance and attitude of weakness. Maa Maha Kaali Blesses the sincere seeker with Tremendous Life Force And Enabling them to bring about transformation in their lives.
How to apply the wisdom:
The Depiction Of Maa Kaali Varies across different regions:
To attain Wisdom and deeper spiritual insights on must worship The Divine Mother Maa Maha Kaali. The process may include:
Maa Maha Kaali Is Depicted With Three Eyes That Witness the past, present and future, Which Is Symbolic Of Divine Omniscience – All-Seeing And All-Knowing.They Also Symbolize the sun, moon, and fire. The Third Eye, In Particular, Signifies spiritual wisdom and insight, beyond ordinary perception. They Also Symbolise The OmniPresence Of The Divine Mother in all three worlds, One Who Pervades And Resides In All Three Lokas, Yet Remains Outside And Beyond.
The tamasic aspect of ego is characterized by feelings of fear, despair, and lethargy stemming from ignorance. Meditating On Maa Maha Kaali, Depicted Wielding Symbolic Weapons, helps in overcoming this aspect. For instance, The Sword Of Maa Maha Kaali Symbolizes the knowledge that destroys ignorance, And The Spear Symbolizes the penetrating insight of spiritual awareness. Through focused meditation and devotion, one can transcend these negative qualities.
Each Weapon Maa Maha Kaali Is Depicted Holding Has Symbolic Meaning Which Can Enable one to overcome obstacles.
– The Sword Destroys ignorance.
– The Discus Symbolizes the relentless passage of time and the inevitability of change.
– The Mace Destroys unrighteousness.
– The Bow And Arrow Symbolize control over the tamasic aspect of the ego, senses and actions.
– The Iron Bar Symbolizes self-control.
– The Spear Signifies spiritual insight.
– The Sling Symbolizes To Affect Over Distances
– The severed human head represents the vanquished ego.
– The Conch Awakens awareness and destruction of ignorance and ego driven impulses.
One may recite mantras while focusing On The Depiction Of Maa Maha Kaali And The Understanding Of The Symbolisms during worship aids in deepening concentration, focus. During the meditation, picture your thoughts being sliced by The Sacred Sword Of The Divine Mother. It will instantly bring emptiness and freedom from thoughts. The internal verbal noise will be cleared, and the visual shall remain free.
You may worship with this verse while visualising the same.
“OṀ.
I Bow To Maa Maha Kaali,
Three-Eyed, With Ten Faces And Feet
And Holding In Her Ten Divine Hands
Adorned With Jewelry On All Her Divine Limbs,
And Sparkling Like a sapphire;”
– From The Meditation On Maa Maha Kaali, First Carita, Of “The Devi Mahatmya”
Some popular mantras for the worship Of Maa Maha Kaali include:
“Om Krim Maa Kalikayai Namah”
“Om Maa Maha Kalikayai Cha Vidmahe
SmashanaVasinyai Cha Dhimahi
Tanno Maa Maha Kaali Prachodayat”
“Maa Kaalir Joy, Devi Bhabanir Joy”
By The Blessings Of The Divine Mother, developing deep sincerity and insight requires regular and devoted practice of meditation and worship. Approaching the practice with humility, seeking guidance from knowledgeable teachers, studying Sacred Texts, and reflecting on the deeper meanings Of Symbols can help in attaining profound insights. Sincerity in one’s spiritual journey, combined with a disciplined practice, opens the path to understanding Esoteric Symbols.
