Kali Visualization and Diksha
Question:
I have a strong desire to visualize myself as Kali, is this ok?
Swamiji Says:
There are two parts to the meditation. One is becoming Kali and drawing the yantra upon Her chest and the second is becoming Shiva and dancing upon that yantra.
Question:
What is diksha? How does it relate to visualization?
Swamiji Says:
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.
Question:
How do we prepare for diksha?
Swamiji Says:
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 reading the Guru Gita in the book titled “Shree Maa, the Guru and the Goddess.”
Multiple times chanting Kali’s 100 names
Question:
When reciting the 100 Names of Kali multiple times in one sitting, does one include the entire stotram in the repetition, or does one do the introductory verses at the beginning followed by multiple repetitions of the names, followed by the phala shruti verses the last time through?
Swamiji Says:
Either way is acceptable.
Offerings to Kali
Question:
On page 106 of Kali Puja book, it says, “Whoever will worship on the Tuesday night of the New Moon, offering the five principles …… ” What are the five principles?
Swamiji Says:
They are speaking of all the five specific ingredients: the five jnana indriyas, the five karma indriyas, the five maha bhutas: elements of creation as outlined in the book Tattva Jnana.
Question:
I have seen in many temples the devotees offer small size limes to Durga or Kali Maa, but 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?
Swamiji Says:
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.
Kali Rudraksha
Question:
Which rudraksha mukhi represents Kali Maa?
Swamiji Says:
13 faces
Aspects of Kali
Question:
Is there an appropriate dhyanam mantra in purohit darpan or any other scripture available for Chamunda Kali?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, there are several dhyanams for Chamunda. Also, in addition to the Navarna Mantra, we can use Om Hrim Chum Chamundayai Namah or Swaha.
Question:
What is the name of the Kali with only four hands– she holds a cup and the “c” shaped sword in Her hands?
Swamiji Says:
She is Dakshina Kali with 4 arms and Her dhyanam is in the Kali Puja book.
Question:
What is the specific name for the 10-headed Kali and which spiritual texts reference it?
Swamiji Says:
The 10-headed Kali is Dasha Mahavidya Mahakali and She is referenced in the Kalika Purana and Purohit Darpana.
Kali Nyasa
Question:
Which text does the Kali Nyasa come from?
Swamiji Says:
Purohit Darpana
Kali Picture
Question:
Where can I locate a copy of the “blue colored” Kali that Swamiji carries with Him?
Swamiji Says:
She is the Kali on the cover of the Kali Puja book.
Kali Mantra
Question:
Is “Klim” the bija mantra for Kali?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, and for Vishnu as well.
Which Kali Mantra is the best for japa?
Swamiji Says:
The best for japa is “Om Hring Shring Kring Parameswari Kalike Svaha.”
Question:
Since Kali (Chamunda) destroys anger and passion, is the worship of Kali and Her bija mantra designed for those that have a problem with anger and passion?
Swamiji Says:
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.
Question:
Are Krim and Kring different variations of the same bija mantra?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, regional pronunciation and spelling differences.
Question:
How does one do an anushtan with the Smashan Kali bija mantra and with the Kali Satanama and Kali Sahasranama stotras, individually? What is the appropriate number of times to say the bija mantra for an anusthan?
Swamiji Says:
The system for performing the anushthan is in the Kali Puja Book. The number of repetitions depends upon your sankalpa.
Question:
Is there a Kali Mantra in this exact sequence: “OM HUM HUM KRIM KRIM KRIM HRIM HRIM DAKSHINE KALIKE SWAHA’? What different effect does this mantra have in comparison to the 22-syllable Kali mantra?
Swamiji Says:
I have seen a variation of this mantra 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.
Question:
Some devotees aren’t familiar enough with Sanskrit to recite the Kali Sahasranama. Is there is an alternative practice that can be done instead?
Swamiji Says:
Yes. Make japa of Her mula mantra: Om Hrim Shrim Klim Parameshwari Kalike Swaha.
Tantric Offerings
Question:
Does one make tantrik offerings of sacrificial animals and alcohol for Kali Puja at the Devi Mandir? Are there any detrimental effects associated with such offerings?
Swamiji Says:
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.
Question:
Is the Consecration of Tantric offerings in the Kali Puja recited as part of the daily puja or is it used as an initiation?
Swamiji Says:
It is used only on special occasions.
Question:
What are the subtle meanings of Panchamakara?
Swamiji Says:
Watch and hear Swamiji’s answer by clicking on this icon: 
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RatantiKalika Puja
Question:
What is the RatantiKalika Puja?
Swamiji Says:
Ratanti means celebrated, famous. There are two Kali Pujas that are most famous: one famous one in Paush, and another, more famous one, which is before Diwali in Ashvin. At that occasion, we will recite the entire Kali Puja book along with the appropriate offerings.
Depictions of Kali
Question:
How many heads does Kali have in her garland?
Swamiji Says:
Different images have various amounts. I have seen 108, 50 and many others, often determined by the convenience of the artist.
Question:
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?
Swamiji Says:
The first depiction is Kali and the second depiction is Chamunda.
Question:
I have a poster of Chamunda. I do not perform my Kali Puja to it because it does not match the Dakshina Kali Dhyanam. Is it OK to perform the puja to an image of Chamunda which does not match the description in the dhyanam?
Swamiji Says:
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.
Kali and Krishna
Question:
Is there any connection between Durga/Kali and Lord Krishna?
Swamiji Says:
Kali and Krishna share the same bija mantras: Klim and Krim. They also have similar intrinsic natures: Krishna as the Doer of All from Kri, and Kali as the Remover of the Darkness of all attachment.
Shiva Puja within Kali Puja
Where in the Kali Puja would it be best to insert a short Shiva Puja?
Swamiji Says:
After the Prana Pratishtha Shukta and before the Adya Stotram.
Fear of Worshipping Kali
Question:
Should we fear worshipping Kali?
Swamiji Says:
Watch and hear Swamiji’s answer by clicking on this icon: .
Tattoo of Kali Mantra
Question:
Is it ok to get a Kali Mantra tattoo close to my heart?
Swamiji Says:
There is nothing in scripture prohibiting such an inscription, but it is not necessarily the best way to remember Her. There are many other things that we can do to demonstrate our love for Her.
Kali Yantra
Question:
In the Kali Yantra worship, what are the prefixes and suffixes to be used for the deities of the Bhupuras, of the Eight Petals, of the Nine Corners, and the Hexagon corners ?
Swamiji Says:
The deities of the Bhupuras are: Bhairavi, Mahabhairavi; Simhabhairavi, Dhumrabhairavi,Bhimabhairavi, Unmattabhairavi; Vashikaranabhairavi, Mohanabhairavi.
For the Kali Yantra it will be:
Om Hrim Shrim Krim (in the dative case) Bhairavyai namah, etc.