Kali
Kali, which means black, represents the terrifying aspect of the Mother Goddess, whose kindly or benign aspect is reflected in the goddess Lakshmi. She is usually depicted naked or wearing a tiger skin, with disheveled hair and eyes rolling with intoxication. She has fang-like teeth, and her lolling tongue dripping with blood hangs from her mouth. Around her neck is a necklace of skulls.She is usually shown with four arms, two of which hold severed heads while the other two hold a dagger and a sword. A strangling noose also features in some of the images. She dances on the body of her consort Shiva.
Though her hands are blood stained, one is often raised in a gesture of protection or assurance in the midst of destruction. Kali reflects the Indian tradition of bringing together seemingly contradictory aspects of life and some see a link with the ancient worship of the Great Goddess as an Earth Mother whose power was shown both in the fertility of the earth and in the receiving of the bodies of dead.
Kali represents the realities of life and death. Kali, the devourer of time (kala) stands for the frightening, painful side of life which all who desire to progress spiritually must face and overcome.
