Her garland of human heads, each representing one of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, symbolizes the repository of knowledge and wisdom. She wears a girdle of severed human hands- hands that are the principal instruments of work and so signify the action of karma. Thus the binding effects of this karma have been overcome, severed, as it were, by devotion to Kali. She has blessed the devotee by cutting him free from the cycle of karma. Her white teeth are symbolic of purity (Sans. Sattva), and Her lolling tongue dramatically depicts the fact that She consumes all things and denotes the act of tasting or enjoying what society regards as forbidden, i.e. Her indiscriminate enjoyment of all the world's "flavors".

The ten arms represent Her absolute command over the ten directions. Her three eyes represent the sun, moon, and fire, with which She is able to observe the three modes of time: past, present and future. This attribute is also the origin of the name Kali, which is the feminine form of 'Kala', the Sanskrit term for Time.

The image of a recumbent Shiva lying under the feet of Kali represents Shiva as the passive potential of creation and Kali as his Shakti. The generic term Shakti denotes the Universal feminine creative principle and the energizing force behind all male divinity including Shiva. Shakti is known by the general name Devi, from the root 'div', meaning to shine. She is the Shining One, who is given different names in different places and in different appearances, as the symbol of the life-giving powers of the Universe. It is She that powers him. This Shakti is expressed as the i in Shiva's name. Without this i, Shiva becomes Shva, which in Sanskrit means a corpse. Thus suggesting that without his Shakti, Shiva is powerless or inert.

Goddess Kali's boon is won when man confronts or accepts Her and the realities She dramatically conveys to him. The image of Kali, in a variety of ways, teaches man that pain, sorrow, decay, death, and destruction are not to be overcome or conquered by denying them or explaining them away. Pain and sorrow are woven into the texture of man's life so thoroughly that to deny them is ultimately futile. For man to realize the fullness of his being, for man to exploit his potential as a human being, he must finally accept this dimension of existence. Kali's boon is freedom, the freedom of the child to revel in the moment, and it is won only after confrontation or acceptance of death.

To ignore death, to pretend that one is physically immortal, to pretend that one's ego is the center of things, is to provoke Kali's mocking laughter. To confront or accept death, on the contrary, is to realize a mode of being that can delight and revel in the play of the gods. To accept one's mortality is to be able to let go, to be able to sing, dance, and shout. Kali is Mother to Her devotees not because She protects them from the way things really are but because She reveals to them their mortality and thus releases them to act fully and freely, releases them from the incredible, binding web of "adult" pretense, practicality, and rationality.

Embracing the Divine Feminine: Understanding Kali and Her Significance

Goddess Kali is one of the most powerful and revered deities in Hinduism and is worshiped by many people across the globe especially in the eastern part of India. She is considered to be a ferocious form of Goddess Durga and is regarded as the ultimate manifestation of Shakti. Goddess Kali also manifests as the material nature and is regarded as the mother of all living entities in the material world. Just like a caring mother, she protects the living entities who follow the principles of Dharma from demonic persons who always go against the laws of the Supreme Lord.

Having a dark complexion, open hair, and bearing multiple arms holding different weapons, Goddess Kali is often depicted standing on the chest of Lord Shiva, her consort, as she displays her rage toward the demon Raktabij. This pastime is mentioned in various Puranas of Vedic literature in which Goddess Kali severed the head of the demon who was creating havoc on earth. This shows the protective nature of the Goddess. The Vedic scriptures also mention that Goddess Kali is an obedient devotee of the Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu who tests living entities on their determination and devotion toward the Lord.

What does Kali symbolize?

Goddess Kali is the manifestation of material nature. She is like a benevolent mother who protects her children from any kind of mishaps and misfortune. Mother Kali considers all living entities her own children and takes care of them. She reforms the forgetful souls who have turned their faces against the Supreme Lord Krishna. Thus, she symbolizes mercy, compassion, and kindness. Although she has a ferocious form, she is actually carrying out the order of the Supreme Lord by utilizing her power against those who blaspheme the Lord and do not abide by His laws.

What is Kali worshiped for?

We can find thousands and lakhs of devotees of Goddess Kali all over the world. She is especially venerated in the festival of Kali Puja in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. Being a merciful Goddess, she fulfills the desires of her devotees. Some people worship Goddess Kali for some material gains and profits and receive her blessings. However, those who serve her selflessly and approach her to know about the Absolute Truth and the real aim of human life, receive the highest benediction of Goddess Kali. Being a devotee of the Supreme Lord Krishna, she bestows her blessings upon them and guides them to the path of devotion toward the Lord.

Where to place Kali statue at home?

Keeping the deity of Goddess Kali at home is very auspicious. If you worship her regularly with faith and devotion, she will become pleased and will shower her blessings upon you. Knowing that she is worthy of our respectful obeisance is important and therefore, you should not keep or handle her deity with a casual attitude. You must keep the deity on your home altar.