Fw: Forms of Kali?

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Can anyone suggest a good book or other resource with information about

the various iconographic variations of Kali Devi?

 

E. Usha Harding in her book on Kali pounts out that Sri Ramakrishna

worshipped <Dakshina-Kali>, and that this form has four arms, with sword

in upper left, demon's head in lower left, no-fear mudra in upper right,

and boon-granting mudra in lower right, while Ma's right foot is before

Her left foot.

 

Harding also mentions <Smashana-Kali>, the mirror image of <Dakshina>,

with sword and head in Her right hands, and left foot forward.

 

I know <Maha-Kali> in the Chandi Path has ten arms, ten legs, and ten

heads. I more often see an image with just ten arms and a normal number

of legs and heads. Is this still <Maha-Kali>?

 

I frequently see a <murthi> of Ma Kali with sword in upper right hand,

trident in lower right hand, demon head in upper left hand, and a bowl

catching blood from the head in lower left hand. What is the name of

this aspect?

 

I've even seen <Shveta-Kali>, with a white complexion, dancing on a

coal-black Lord Shiva!

 

I know there's a list of 32 different Ganapati's, describing Ganesha's

with a variety of colors, heads, postures, and attributes. Is there a

similar listing of the various forms of Kali?

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

 

 

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