Bhadrakali (A member's request....)

[Guest guest]

Namaste Aravind, Adi Shakthi, and everyone.

 

I have a copy of _Hindu Religion and Iconology_ in front of me.

 

It gives two relevant dhyanas (from the Tantrasara of Krishnananda) one for

"Bhadra- or Guhya-kali" and one for "Bhadra-kali". Both are given in

Sanskrit with English summaries. Here are the English summaries.

 

Bhadra- or Guhya-kali

 

Colour: Black as a cloud

Arms: Two

Attributes: A dead body which she is licking

Seat: Bed of serpents

Attendants: Siva as a boy

Special Characteristics: Wears black dress and ornaments of snakes; the

serpent Ananta adorns her head which is crowned with a tall chignon; half

moon on head; laughing; hanging tongue and fangs. Worshipped by Narada and

other sages. She is terrifying and laughs loudly.

 

Bhadrakali

 

Colour: Black as ink

Arms: Two

Attributes: Two nooses as bright as burning flame

Special Characteristics: Emaciated body and sunken eyes; flying hair; she

cries all the time saying: "I am not satisfied. I feel like devouring the

whole world at once."

 

I thought you might also be interested in the following verse from the Devi

Mahatmya (as translated by Swami Jagadiswarananda, chapter 11 verse 26 ):

 

Terrible with flames, exceedingly sharp, destroyer of all the asuras, may

your trident guard us from fear. Salutation be to you, O Bhadrakali!

 

Om Shantih,

 

Colin.

>I received this request from one of our respected members in my e-

>mail.

>Meanwhile, I request Colin, devi_bhakta, nora, ompremji,kalikaputri,

>or any other member here to please look up this reference in your

>local library and post the description of Bhadrakali for our member

>aravind...

>****************

>From reading footnotes in other books,

>it seems that "Hindu Religion and Iconology" may

>contain a description of the iconography of

>Bhadrakali, which I have been trying to find a

>description of for a very long time.

>If at some point when it would be completely

>convention you could look that passage up for me, I

>would be most extremely grateful.

>Jai Kali Ma

>--Aravind