Goddess Kalaratri: Protective Form of Goddess Parvati
Origin of Goddess Kalaratri
Goddess Kalaratri is one of the fiercest and most powerful manifestations of Goddess Parvati. According to Hindu mythology, when the Goddess removed her outer golden skin to slay the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, she took the form of Goddess Kalaratri. Her name signifies “the one who brings the night of destruction”, making her a formidable force against evil.
Navratri Worship of Goddess Kalaratri
Goddess Kalaratri is revered and worshipped on the seventh day (Saptami) of Navratri. Devotees seek her blessings for protection, courage, and wisdom. Her worship is believed to eliminate fear, negative energies, and obstacles from one’s life.
Governing Planet
Goddess Kalaratri is associated with the planet Shani (Saturn). It is believed that her blessings help mitigate the malefic effects of Saturn and bring stability and peace to devotees’ lives.
Iconography of Goddess Kalaratri
Goddess Kalaratri is depicted in a terrifying yet protective form:
- She has a dark black complexion symbolizing the infinite cosmos.
- She rides a donkey (Gardabh) as her divine vehicle.
- She has four hands:
- Her right hands are in Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and Varada Mudra (gesture of blessings).
- Her left hands carry a sword and a deadly iron hook.
- Her hair is loose and flowing, and she has three eyes that radiate power.
Blessings of Goddess Kalaratri
Despite her fierce form, Goddess Kalaratri is a benevolent deity who blesses her devotees with courage, strength, and protection. She is also known as Goddess Shubhankari (शुभंकरी), meaning “the one who brings auspiciousness”, highlighting her divine grace hidden within her terrifying appearance.
Devanagari Name
The name of Goddess Kalaratri in Sanskrit is written as कालरात्रि.
Favourite Flower of Goddess Kalaratri
The Goddess is associated with Night Blooming Jasmine (रात की रानी), which symbolizes her connection to the night and cosmic energy.
Sacred Mantra of Goddess Kalaratri
Reciting the mantra of Goddess Kalaratri invokes her divine energy and protection:
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥
Prarthana (Prayer to Goddess Kalaratri)
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।
Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥
Stuti (Hymn in Praise of Goddess Kalaratri)
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana (Meditation on Goddess Kalaratri)
करालवन्दना घोरां मुक्तकेशी चतुर्भुजाम्।
कालरात्रिम् करालिंका दिव्याम् विद्युतमाला विभूषिताम्॥
दिव्यम् लौहवज्र खड्ग वामोघोर्ध्व कराम्बुजाम्।
अभयम् वरदाम् चैव दक्षिणोध्वाघः पार्णिकाम् मम्॥
महामेघ प्रभाम् श्यामाम् तक्षा चैव गर्दभारूढ़ा।
घोरदंश कारालास्यां पीनोन्नत पयोधराम्॥
सुख पप्रसन्न वदना स्मेरान्न सरोरूहाम्।
एवम् सचियन्तयेत् कालरात्रिम् सर्वकाम् समृध्दिदाम्॥
Stotra (Hymn of Goddess Kalaratri)
हीं कालरात्रि श्रीं कराली च क्लीं कल्याणी कलावती।
कालमाता कलिदर्पध्नी कमदीश कुपान्विता॥
कामबीजजपान्दा कमबीजस्वरूपिणी।
कुमतिघ्नी कुलीनर्तिनाशिनी कुल कामिनी॥
क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं मन्त्र्वर्णेन कालकण्टकघातिनी।
कृपामयी कृपाधारा कृपापारा कृपागमा॥
Kavacha (Protective Shield of Goddess Kalaratri)
ऊँ क्लीं मे हृदयम् पातु पादौ श्रीकालरात्रि।
ललाटे सततम् पातु तुष्टग्रह निवारिणी॥
रसनाम् पातु कौमारी, भैरवी चक्षुषोर्भम।
कटौ पृष्ठे महेशानी, कर्णोशङ्करभामिनी॥
वर्जितानी तु स्थानाभि यानि च कवचेन हि।
तानि सर्वाणि मे देवीसततंपातु स्तम्भिनी॥
Aarti of Goddess Kalaratri
कालरात्रि जय जय महाकाली।
काल के मुँह से बचाने वाली॥
दुष्ट संघारक नाम तुम्हारा।
महाचण्डी तेरा अवतारा॥
पृथ्वी और आकाश पे सारा।
महाकाली है तेरा पसारा॥
खड्ग खप्पर रखने वाली।
दुष्टों का लहू चखने वाली॥
कलकत्ता स्थान तुम्हारा।
सब जगह देखूँ तेरा नजारा॥
सभी देवता सब नर-नारी।
गावें स्तुति सभी तुम्हारी॥
रक्तदन्ता और अन्नपूर्णा।
कृपा करे तो कोई भी दुःख ना॥
ना कोई चिन्ता रहे ना बीमारी।
ना कोई गम ना संकट भारी॥
उस पर कभी कष्ट ना आवे।
महाकाली माँ जिसे बचावे॥
तू भी भक्त प्रेम से कह।
कालरात्रि माँ तेरी जय॥
Goddess Kalaratri is both destructive and protective, embodying power, wisdom, and fearlessness. Her blessings remove obstacles and bring peace and prosperity to her devotees.
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