Understanding the kindness of Kali

[Sirona]

Namaste,

I’m intrigued by the Goddess Kali but I have trouble imagining her (as I have read) to have a kind and caring side. To me it is like being confronted with an almighty “evil mother”, being glad that she just spared you. This doesn’t seem a rewarding kind of happiness to me. I hope I don’t hurt religious feelings but to me it just feels that way. I used to be into a tradition of Tibetian Buddhism where they worship the “dharma protector” (watchdog or "bodyguard" of the faith) Mahakala so I am not totally unfamiliar with angry or fierce gods. Still I’d appreciate your views about why Kali is a kind goddess and what is the exact nature of her kindness. Thank you.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Still I’d appreciate your views about why Kali is a kind goddess and what is the exact nature of her kindness. Thank you.

Ah, it is the forms that you are talking about. But there is just one Mother Goddess, 'Adi Shakti' (primordial power) - call her any way you want - Saraswati, Laxmi, Parvati, Durga, Kali, Sita, Rukmani, Radha. So many other names too. Which mother won't be fierce when her children are in danger? Which mother would not be delighted to see her children prosper? We worship nine forms during Navaratri, but that is not the end of her forms. Actually, Hindus should consider all women but one as forms of Mother Goddess.

 

[George-ananda]

Namaste,

I’m intrigued by the Goddess Kali but I have trouble imagining her (as I have read) to have a kind and caring side. To me it is like being confronted with an almighty “evil mother”, being glad that she just spared you. This doesn’t seem a rewarding kind of happiness to me. I hope I don’t hurt religious feelings but to me it just feels that way. I used to be into a tradition of Tibetian Buddhism where they worship the “dharma protector” (watchdog or "bodyguard" of the faith) Mahakala so I am not totally unfamiliar with angry or fierce gods. Still I’d appreciate your views about why Kali is a kind goddess and what is the exact nature of her kindness. Thank you.

This is why Hinduism has so many gods. You can worship the one that agrees with you most.

I personally am not much into worship but prefer the wisdom 'Jnana Yoga' approach to finding peace, love and contentment. That is why Hinduism offers several paths.

 

[Vinidra]

At first, I, too, had a hard time understanding Durga and Kali, for similar reasons to the ones you describe. I was drawn to Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati, the gentler, more benign forms of Mother.

But as Aup says, all forms of Mother are just that--forms. There's only one of her, but she puts on different "outfits" to appeal to different devotees.

And since Durga and Kali are closely linked with Parvati, I found that it helped me to think of Durga as Parvati in her warrior queen outfit and Kali as Parvati in her beserker warrior outfit. Same Mother, just different trappings to appeal to different people.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The nine Navratri colors for 2016 are:

Pratipada – October 1, 2016 (Saturday) – Grey
Pratipada – October 2, 2016 (Sunday) – Orange
Dwitiya – October 3, 2016 (Monday) – White
Tritiya – October 4, 2016 (Tuesday) – Red
Chaturthi – October 5, 2016 (Wednesday) – Blue (Navy Blue)
Panchami – October 6, 2016 (Thursday) – Yellow
Sashti – October 7, 2016 (Friday) – Green
Saptami – October 8, 2016 (Saturday) – Peacock Green
Ashtami – October 9, 2016 (Sunday) – Purple
Navami – October 10, 2016 (Monday) – Sky Blue
Dasami – October 11, 2015 (Tuesday) – Pink
http://www.india.com/whatever/navra...-to-wear-this-year-on-different-days-1519513/

 

[Jainarayan]

There's only one of her, but she puts on different "outfits" to appeal to different devotees.

And as the need arises. Even the most lovable cuddly house cat will turn aggressive if her kittens are threatened.

 

[Vinayaka]

With Hindu deities, it is like first impressions of a person walking the street. That first impression is just so personal, based on the individual's experience. For about 5 years I reacted strongly to tall blonde women. I had been through a 'fight the battleaxe' situation with a parent at school, that tossed me into a nasty depression. The parent was a tall blonde woman, and every tall blonde woman I saw hit me like a brick.

My brother in law comes across on first impression as some kind of creepy criminal. He's not the best looking guy, is rough around the edges, but because I know him, I just think he's got the best sense of humour out there.

Some versions of Shiva are similar to Kali ... to the non-Saiva, non-Hindu, He can be somewhat spooky or worse. To me, He's Love personified, and more.

So again we see people not taking individual perceptions into account. The only important thing is what Kali means to you.

 

[Sirona]

And as the need arises. Even the most lovable cuddly house cat will turn aggressive if her kittens are threatened.

Good point.

I somehow heard Ramakrishna was a great Kali bhakta. Maybe someone in the forum could tell me more about him?

 

[Aupmanyav]

I hope you have seen this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna

 

[SomeRandom]

The kindness is one of liberation. To a Bhakti Kali can offer Moksha, or prevail over one's ignorance. The Tantrics view her as the other side of the coin. One cannot expect a mother to be always peaceful. A mother is also a powerfully fierce force.
They see worship of her as a sign of courage and acceptance of all a mother offers not just the bits you like. I mean who hasn't at one point "hated" their parents during youth? A parent will do things you don't like often for your own benefit.

 

[Aupmanyav]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teachings_of_Ramakrishna for Sirona.
https://www.google.co.in/?gfe_rd=cr...1&q=The+phiolosophy+of+Ramakrishna+paramhansa
My own belief is different.