SHARADA NAVRATRI FESTIVAL PART-II 2014

SHARADA NAVRATRI FESTIVAL PART-II 2014

As we enter the third day (Tritiya) of the Sharada Navratri of the present Jaya Samvatsar, the dominating spiritual influence and divine grace of Mother Kali seems to be oozing out every where.   The Mother of the terrible form has been first invoked by Lord Brahma in the ratri suptam as a prelude to the main cantos of the Holy Durga Saptashati text.  This Ratri Suktam again forms part of the first canto in the prathama charitra of the Devi Mahatmyam in which the yoga nidra power of Mother Kali has been addressed to leave and issue out of the system of Lord Mahavishnu so that the latter slays the two demons namely Madhu and Kaitabha, who emerged out of the refuse from the ears of Lord Janardhan and advanced to kill the creator Lord Brahma who was busy in the act ordained to him. 

In the first canto of the Durga Saptashati, Mother Kalika herself does not indulge in any warfare with the demons; rather she only withdraws her tamasic force i.e. Yoga Nidra from the person of Lord Mahavishnu and it is the latter who then engages in a long drawn duel with the demons and finally slays them.

It is mentioned in the Kurmapurana that once when sage Narada asked Lord Shiva about the manifestation of his executing power to control evil forces in the world, Lord Shiva replied thus; “I am the eternal one always in bliss; whenever I need union for the welfare of the world, Bhavani assumes a female form with me; when the turmoil in the world increases, Narayana emerges out of myself with a Sudarshana Chakra to put down the evil forces; when the menace of the evil forces multiply and create havoc, I invoke Durga who deals with them in a befitting manner; and finally when the evil forces assume ugly forms and foul methods to dominate the world, a terrible female form issues out of me assuming the name of Kali who devours them all and tramples them under her powerful feet”.

This terrible form of Mother Kali has been a great fascinating experience for many Saints and Sadhus despite the Mother’s awe inspiring character.  Despite Mother Kali, who is believed to be ever residing in the cremation ground and swallowing in all the karmic remains of Humankind irresepctive of the fact whether one is her devotee or not, there is a compelling magical power that she wields which attracts the devotee towards her Lika Piece Of Iron To The Magnet.  SHE IS JUST AWESOME.  SHE IS THUS INVOKED;

OM Jayanti Managla Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini
Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namastute ….(1)

Om Karalavadanam Ghoram muktakeshim chaturbhujam
Kalikam Dakshinam Divayam mundamalam vibhushitam….(2)

There are two mainstreams of worship of divine mother – Shrikul and Kalikul and they are the ten Mahavidyas or the wisdom goddesses. The Shrikul consists of Mahashodashi, Bhuveshwari, Bhairavi, Bagalamukhi, Mantangi and Kamalatmika. The Kalikul consists of Kali, Tara, Chhinamastika and Dhrumravati.

There is always a talk, story, janashruti that between Shri and Kali, Kali is the Adibhoota Mother - Adi Devi and Shodashi is her daughter. 

It is mentioned in the kaalika purana where it is said that the divine Mother Shodasi has 72,000 mantras and maha mantras and she is considered to be Shabdabhrahman - ultimate of sound vibrations in shatka sadhana. But the divine mother kalika is even the mother of shodashi.

That is why it is always said that Kali is the beginning - middle and end of creation. Sir John Woodroofe or Aurthor Avialion in his beautiful work “Garland Of Letters” has described Mother Kali as the Shabhdabhrahman, the ultimate in sound vibration.

Again in the Kalika Purana it is mentioned that Shabhdabhrahman is manifested by Tripura Bhairavi, which is derived from Kali. That is why it is said 
“Mahapadma Vanantaste Karanananda Vigrahe 
Shabdabramha Maiyee Sachi Vande Tripurasundari, Tripurabhairavi”. 

In a way Shree and Kali are one and the same. Shree derives from Kali and further extends into her own kula and Kali goes into her own kula. 
There is a wonderful stotra known as “Karpuradi Stotram, which consists of 22 Shlokas and the Rishi or the Seer for the Shlokas is Mahakaal himself and the Beejas or the syllables of the shloka comes to the great Mantra of Shri Dakshina Kalika.

The Mantra of Dakshina Kalika, Her Mahima, Her Phalastuti - all are encompassed in various works including the Kalika Tantra, The Kamakhya Tantra, the Grabha Kularnava Tantra and so on.

The easiest way in present times to understand the concept of Mother Kali, her prowess, her omnipotent – omnipresent and Omniscient presence is to sing her tunes, sing her litanies in a very easy and intelligible manner.

There is wonderful poem called Kali Chalisa which is creation of anonymous authors in our system known as Karna Parampara – or traditional hymns learnt from Guru to Shishya and passed on from generation to generation. 

This Kali Chalisa describes names, forms, divine sport and play of the mother right from the most innocent childlike Kali to the most terrible destructive form of Kali. The Kali Chalisa has tremendous meaning and reciting her names and singing her glory is a sure shot way to attain salvation, to attain peace, to attain all the four Purusharthas of Life that is Dharma, Artha, Kamya and Moksha. That is why it is said 
“Kali Kali Maha Kali Kalike Paapa Nashani 
Dharmartha Mokshare Devi Kaala Ratri Namostute”.

The Kali Chalisa has been rendered by Gana Kala Vibhushana Sangeetha Ratna Smt. Bhanumathy Vishwanath, disciple of Shrividya Guru H.H Sri Sri Vimarsha Nandendra Saraswati Swamiji Maharaj on the spiritual side and Padma Vibhushan Late Smt. D.K. Pattamal on the musical side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id9OgWA3Ck4