Kali

~~OM~~

    Kali Visualization and Diksha

  1. I have a strong desire to visualize myself as Kali, also, I am assuming that is the case. Is that correct or is it just a front visualization?

    There are two parts to the meditation. One is becoming Kali and drawing the yantra upon Her chest. The second is becoming Shiva and dancing upon that yantra.

  2. Is self-visualization permitted before receiving diksha?

    Definitely diksha is preferred in every spiritual practice. The Guru is the example of the way you want to worship, someone whose behavior you want to emulate, whose attitudes you want to reflect, whose being you want to become.

    Diksha is the solemnization, the confirmation, of that relationship. Without an image it is impossible to perform visualization. The activities of the guru become the image that we visualize.

    There is a lot that can be done to prepare for diksha. First comes siksha, and then comes diksha. First, make yourself ready to become a disciple. Learn as much as you can about the example you wish to follow. What does he or she do to cultivate a relationship with God? Why do they do it? In what tradition is it being done? Who were their examples?

    Only through knowledge can we honestly devote ourselves to a path and a practice. Then we become a part of that tradition. Then we become authorized to practice in that tradition. Then we can actually become disciples.

    I recommend that you read the Guru Gita. It is in the book titled Shree Maa, the Guru and the Goddess.

    3. Multiple times chanting Kali's 100 names

  3. When reciting the 100 Names of Kali (from the Kali Puja book) multiple times in one sitting, does one chant the entire stotram including the introductory verses at the beginning and the phala shruti at the end each time, or does one chant the introductory verses followed by multiple repetitions of the actual names section, followed by the phala shruti verses the last time through?

    Either way is acceptable.

    4. Kali Puja and Amavasya/Tuesday

  4. On page 106 of Kali Puja book, it says, "Whoever will worship on the Tuesday night of the New Moon, offering the five principles to the Great Foremost She Who Takes Away the Darkness, the Supreme Goddess of the Three Worlds, and recite these hundred names, actually becomes the manifestation of She Who Takes Away the Darkness, and knows no obstacles from anywhere in the three worlds." What are the five principles?

    They are speaking of all the five specific ingredients:

    the five jnana indriyas

    the five karma indriyas

    the five maha bhutas: elements of creation

    Please read my book on Tattva Jnana.

    5. Offering limes to Kali

  5. I have seen in many temples the devotees offer small size limes to Durga or Kali Maa. I have not seen that offering made to any Vishnu or Shiv temples. What is the significance of offering Lime to Goddess, what does it mean and why only offered to Goddess?

    Every locality has its own traditions. I do not know of any scriptural reference to offering limes only to the Goddess. I believe it must be a local custom.

    6. Kali Rudraksha

  6. Beloved Swamiji, as a seven mukhi represents Mahalakshmi and a four mukhi represents Saraswati - which mukhi would represent Kali Maa?

    13 faces

    7. Chamunda Kali

  7. Since Chamunda Kali is reflected as having Chanda and Munda head in her hands as well as wearing tiger skin and also having skull made staff and bowl in her hand with full image description in Chandi Path is there an appropriate dhyanam mantra in purohit darpan or any other scripture available for Chamunda Kali?

    Yes, there are several dhyanams for Chamunda. Also, in addition to the Navarna Mantra, we can use Om Hrim Chum Chamundayai Namah or Swaha.

    8. Dakshina Kali

  8. I am interested to know about the Kali with only four hands on the Cosmic Altar. She holds a cup and the "c" shaped sword in Her hands on the Cosmic Altar. May I know her name, please?

    She is Dakshina Kali with 4 arms. Her dhyanam is in the Kali Puja book.

    9. Kali Nyasa

    Swamiji, In Kali Puja book you have described the Kali Gayatri Mantra and Kali Dhyanam mantra and Kali Kavacha for Dakshina Kalika are as stated in Nirutara Tantra - I hope I am correct. However the Kali Nyasa is not stated in this text, so could you please tell me which text does the nyasa come from?

    Purohit Darpana.

    Kali at Devi Mandir

  9. What is the specific name of this Kali at Devi Mandir?

    The ten-headed Kali is called Dasha Mahavidya Mahakali.

  10. Can you please let me know in which text is it mentioned that ten headed Kali is called Dasha Mahavidya Kali?

    Kalika Purana and Purohit Darpana.

    11. Kali Picture

  11. Swamiji, it seems that you carried 2 pictures with you (I read this from either Sahib Sadhu or Before Becoming This). One is Chandi Maa and the other is one of Maa Kali (it was mentioned that this picture was blue in color). Can you please tell me the name of this Kali and may I get a scanned picture?

    She is the Kali on the cover of the Kali Puja book.

    12. Kali Mantra

  12. Is "Klim" the bija mantra for Kali?

    Yes, and for Vishnu as well.

  13. I see 3 different japa mantras for Maa Kali in Kali Puja book:

    Om Kring Kaalyai Namah

    Om Hring Shring Kring Parameswari Kalike Svaha

    Om Kring Kring Kring Hung Hung Hring Hring Dakshine Kalike Kring Kring Kring Hung Hung Hring Hring Swahaaa

    Which is ideal for japa?

    The best for japa is Om Hring Shring Kring Parameswari Kalike Svaha.

  14. Since Kali (Chamunda) destroys anger and passion, is the worship of Kali designed for those that have a problem with anger and passion. Put in another way, if I have a problem controlling my anger and passion, is it most effective for me to worship Kali and chant her bija mantra?

    First, everyone has darkness of some kind. Kali takes away the Darkness. Therefore, it is appropriate for everyone to worship her.

    Second, Her bija mantra and her entire worship as well as the entire Chandi are effective in combating anger and passion.

  15. Are Krim and Kring different variations of the same bija mantra?

    Yes, regional pronunciation and spelling differences.

  16. I am a shakta sadhak for some years now. I need guidance. I would like to do an anusthan with the Smashan Kali bija mantra and with the Kali Satanama and Kali Sahasranama stotras, individually. Please guide me how to do a paath anushthaan. Please also guide me what is the appropriate number of times to say the bija mantra for an anusthan

    The system for performing the anushthan is in the Kali Puja Book. The number of repetitions depends upon your sankalpa.

  17. Is there a Kali Mantra in this exact sequence: OM HUM HUM KRIM KRIM KRIM HRIM HRIM DAKSHINE KALIKE SWAHA. If it is familiar, what different effect does it have in comparison with the 22-syllable Kali mantra?

    I have seen it in a different order. Each variation of any mantra has a slightly different vibration, but generally it is not so significant to be concerned with. Use the mantras that you have received in initiation from your guru, or those you deem to have come from a reliable source.

    18. Kali Sahasranama

  18. Some devotees in Brazil aren't familiar enough to Sanskrit to recite the Kali Sahasranama. Is there is a alternative practice that can be done instead?

    Make japa of Her mula mantra: Om Hrim Shrim Klim Parameshwari Kalike Swaha.

    19. Tantric Offerings

  19. Does one make tantrik offerings such as a sacrificial animal and alcohol for Kali Puja at Devi Mandir? Are there any detrimental effects associated with such offerings?

    Worship is organized according to the three gunas or qualities of nature: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Tamasic worship causes harm to someone else. Rajasic worship brings about personal enjoyment. Sattvic worship aims at self purification. We try to worship in the Sattvic tradition. We are vegetarians, so we worship the Goddess who takes away Darkness by offering our animalistic tendencies: kam, krodh, moha, etc. For intoxicating spirit we offer the nectar of pure devotion.

  20. Is the Consecration of Tantric offering in the Kali Puja recited as part of daily puja or is it used as an initiation?

    It is used only on special occasions.

    21. RatantiKalika Puja

  21. Can you please tell us something about the RatantiKalika Puja?

    Ratanti means celebrated, famous. There are two Kali Pujas that are most famous: this famous one in Paush, and the more famous one which is before Diwali in Ashvin. We will recite the entire Kali Puja book on the occasion, along with the appropriate offerings.

    22. Depictions of Kali

  22. How many heads does Kali have in her garland? 108 or 50?

    Different images have various amounts. I have seen both of those and many others, often determined by the convenience of the artist.

  23. I have seen Kali sometimes depicted with a sword, trident, head and skullcup and other depictions with a sword, head, and the two mudras. Which is the correct depiction of Her?

    The first is Kali and the second Chamunda.

  24. I have a poster of Chamunda. I do not perform my Kali Puja to it, even though I love it dearly, because it does not match the Dakshina Kali dhyanam. Is it OK to perform the puja to this image without the dhyanam matching, or is there a Chamunda dhyanam I should use instead. Would then the sankalpa and mula mantra for the puja need to change?

    It is perfectly okay to perform puja to a deity, even though the exact details of that deity do not correspond to the dhyanam. There is no need to only worship the image whose characteristics you are reciting.

    25. Kali and Krishna

  25. I would like to know if there is any connection between Durga/Kali and Lord Krishna. The only thing I know regarding this is that Mahamaya incarnated Herself as His Sister.

    Kali and Krishna share the same bija mantras: Klim and Krim. The also have similar intrinsic natures: Krishna as the Doer of All from Kri, and Kali as the Remover of the Darkness of all attachment.

    26. Shiva Puja within Kali Puja

  26. Where in Swamiji's Kali Puja format would it be best to insert a short Shiva Puja?

    After the Prana Pratishtha Shukta and before the Adya Stotram.



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Submitted by webdev on Sat, 2006-02-04 14:23.