Mother Kali - 6

[Guest guest]

This terrific and poignant imagery starkly

reveals the nature of Kali as the Divine Mother.

Ramaprasad expresses his feelings thus: <br><br>Behold my

Mother playing with Shiva, lost in an ecstasy of

joy!<br>Drunk with a draught of celestial wine, She reels, and

yet does not fall.<br>Erect She stands on Shiva's

bosom, and the earth <br>Trembles under Her

tread;<br>She and Her Lord are mad with frenzy, casting Aside

all fear and shame.<br><br>.. Ramprasad

(1718-75)<br><br>Kali's human and maternal qualities continue to define

the goddess for most of her devotees to this day. In

human relationships, the love between mother and child

is usually considered the purest and strongest. In

the same way, the love between the Mother Goddess and

her human children is considered the closest and

tenderest relationship with divinity. Accordingly, Kali's

devotees form a particularly intimate and loving bond with

her. But the devotee never forgets Kali's demonic,

frightening aspects. He does not distort Kali's nature and

the truths she reveals; he does not refuse to

meditate on her terrifying features. He mentions these

repeatedly in his songs but is never put off or repelled by

them. Kali may be frightening, the mad, forgetful

mistress of a world spinning out of control, but she is,

after all, the Mother of all. As such, she must be

accepted by her children- accepted in wonder and awe,

perhaps, but accepted nevertheless. <br>

<br><br>......contd.