Kali: The Goddess of Time, Death and Destruction
Kali (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Kali and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Kali (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Lhamo Tromo (Tibetan)
Kali is a Hindu goddess whose name means ‘she who is black’ or ‘she who is death’. However, she is also known by other epithets and has many forms. For Hindus, she embodies the very essence of time and hence, she is believed to devour all things. She is a goddess of time, death and destruction but also the goddess of rebirth and growth as all things new must have its causes in something old. She is widely worshipped by gods and men and in some traditions, she has also come to represent the benevolence of a mother goddess.
In Hindu Tantra, Kali embodies shakti, the feminine power, creativity and fertility, and she is widely considered to be the incarnation of Parvati, the goddess consort of Shiva. She is widely represented in art as a wrathful figure bearing a necklace of heads, a skirt of arms, a lolling tongue and brandishing a knife dripping with the blood of the slain demons.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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First time coming across this word Kali an Hindu goddesses who is the reincarnation of Shiva’s wife, Parvati. Kali is considered a strong mother-figure and symbolic of motherly-love. She does have several other names as well been traditionally worshipped throughout India. Kali is one of the most well-known Hindu saint, mostly because of her immense power and responsibility. There are many legends and stories regarding this powerful goddess .
Depicted with Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri in this beautiful thangka which paints a thousand words.
Thank you for this sharing.