Kali is a Hindu goddess who is associated with death, destruction, and the dissolution of the ego. She is often depicted as a fierce, dark-skinned woman with multiple arms holding weapons, and a necklace of human heads.
One of the most famous stories about Kali comes from the Devi Mahatmya, a Hindu text that describes the goddess in her various forms. In this text, the goddess is depicted as a fierce warrior who is summoned to defeat a demon king named Raktabija. The demon had the ability to create multiple copies of himself from each drop of blood that fell to the ground, making him nearly invincible.
Kali was summoned by the other goddesses to defeat Raktabija. She enters into a fierce battle with the demon, and as she fights, she becomes increasingly wild and ferocious. Eventually, she becomes so caught up in the violence that she begins to indiscriminately kill anything in her path. The other goddesses become frightened and call upon the god Shiva to intervene. Shiva lays himself down in front of Kali’s path, and she, in her wild state, unknowingly steps on him.
The touch of Shiva, her consort, is enough to bring Kali back to her senses. She sees the destruction she has caused and is filled with remorse. She then sticks out her tongue in shame and makes a vow to never again let her rage consume her in such a way.
In another version of the story, Kali is depicted as the destructive aspect of the mother goddess, who is called upon to destroy evil forces. She is often associated with the dark and mysterious aspects of the feminine, and is often seen as a symbol of transformation and regeneration through destruction.
Kali is a goddess who is revered and feared at the same time. She is a reminder that death and destruction are an inevitable part of life, and that the ego must be dissolved in order for spiritual growth to occur. Her stories and imagery continue to be an important part of Hindu worship and devotion, with many temples and shrines dedicated to her throughout India and Nepal.