Birthday
Ashvayuja Krishnastami
SIGNIFICANCE
Maa Kali is the first of the ten Mahavidyas and is the goddess of ultimate power, time, destruction and change in Shaktism. Kālī is the feminine form of Kāla (an epithet of Shiva) and thus the consort of Shiva. She presides over the time before the creation of the universe.
Maa Kali is most often characterized as black or blue in complexion, partially or completely naked, with a lolling tongue, multiple arms, a skirt or girdle of severed human arms, a necklace of decapitated heads, and a decapitated head in one of her hands. She is often portrayed standing or dancing on her consort, Lord Shiva. The divine mother has diverse forms namely Maha Kali, Badra Kali, Dakshina Kali, Shyama Kali, Shweta Kali and so on.
Six hundred years ago, blessing his tapas in Himalayas in the previous birth of His Holiness Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya, Courtallam Shankaracharya, Sri Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharati Swamiji, Mother Kali appeared before him and turned into an idol. In this birth, that idol came to him through the cosmos and materialized. Some devotees were fortunate to see this astonishing event. Swayam Siddha Kali Peetham was established for this deity. This Kali idol which received the prayers and services of Trilinga Swamy, Bhairavi Brahmani, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swamy Visuddhananda, Baba Kalaleswara Kalidas etc., is now receiving traditional worships in accordance with her wish at Guntur.
ORIGIN
As per Devi Mahatmya, Mother Kali is said to have emerged from an angry forehead of Goddess Durga to slay the demon Raktabija(“blood-seed”).Raktabija had a unique ability when injured and blood drips out of his body, he was able to clone himself out of the dripped blood on the ground. During the battle it was impossible to kill Raktabija. Mother Kali vanquishes Raktabija by consuming every drop of the blood that streamed from the demon.
Another legend goes on that at the time of creation, Maha Vishnu was in the meditative state of yoganidra. At that time, a lotus came out of his navel on which creator “Brahma” was seated. As Brahma was about to start creation two demons Madhu and Kaitabha, both originated from the earwax of Maha Vishnu’s ears. The two asuras had become powerful enough to annihilate Brahma. However, Brahma spotted them, and begged the goddess Mahamaya for help. When Vishnu woke up, he started a war against the two demons. After a long battle when Madhu and Kaitabha were enchanted by Maa Kali, Maha Vishnu killed them.
SPECIAL DAYS FOR POOJA
- During all Devi Navaratri utsavs (Magha, Chaitra, Ashadha and Sharan) among which Sharan Navaratri is considered most auspicious.
- Kalikastami(According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, it is observed on Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha (8th day of the waning moon) of Shraavana Masa.
- Amaavasya (New Moon)
- Pournami (Full Moon).
- Tuesday – Raahu Kaal.
BENEFITS OF WORSHIPPING KAALI DEVI
Kali Devi is the very essence of every existence. All the dualities of life, light and dark, beautiful and fearsome, are united and reconciled in Kali. Mother Kali protects us from.
- Black magic and evil spirits
- Incurable diseases and prolonged illness
- Unfortunate and traumatic events
- Enormous financial debts, betrayals in personal and professional life.
SLOKA
“Aaraktha Jihvaam Vikatogra Damshtraam
Sunyaambaram Sundara Bheeshanaamgeem
Kara Trisulam Gala Mundamaalaam
Kaaleem Karaaleem Satatam Bhajameem.”