The term Kali is derived from Kala, which is mentioned quite differently in Sanskrit. The homonym kālá (time) is distinct from kāla (black), but … See more

The goddess has two depictions: the popular four-armed form and the ten-armed Mahakali avatar. In both, she is described as being … See more

Mantras
Kali could be considered a general concept, like Durga, and is primarily worshipped in the Kali Kula sect of worship. The closest … See more

Although the name Kālī appears as early as the Atharva Veda, the first known use of it as a proper name is found in the Kathaka Grhya Sutra (19.7) . Kali's worship likely has … See more

Her most well-known appearance is on the battlefield in the sixth century text Devi Mahatmyam. The deity of the first chapter of Devi Mahatmyam is Mahakali, who appears from the … See more

Interpretations of the symbolic meanings of Kali's appearance vary depending on Tantric or devotional approach, and on whether one views … See more

Scholar Marvin H. Pope in 1965 argues that the Hindu goddess Kali, who is first attested in the 7th century CE, shares some characteristics with some ancient Near Eastern goddesses, such as wearing a necklace of heads and a belt of severed hands like See more