The iconography of Mā Kālī is unfathomably powerful offering us an important tool for philosophical reflection:

For example, the 50 heads in Her garland represent the 50 letter of the Sanskrit alphabet, showing us that the Universe is a manifestation of Mantra, the Word that was with God, that was God etc., Her black skin is a symbol of tamas (darkness), and Her red protruding tongue held between two rows of white teeth make a case for rajas (power) channelled and harnessed by sattva (wisdom). Her nudity presents Reality, stripped of all pretense, innocent and guileless as formless, pure non-dual Consciousness. Her and Her husband, Shiva, together symbolize the two principles of Sāmkhya, Purusha (Spirit) and Prakriti (Enegery), the Subject and the Object, here reconciled in inseparable unity. The blood and jackals remind us that with Kālī, there is no such thing as high and low, pure and impure and that all things, without exception are equally divine expressions of Her non-dual Being. She is always aroused because She is Kundalini Shakti, the primordial power in the mūlādhāra,  that is always seeking samādhi, always craving wholeness, constantly desirous of union with her Playmate in the Sahasrāra cakra. 

The cremation ground signifies the ultimate joy of renunciation, of recognizing the impermanence of all things. All the world is the cremation ground for Her devotee for She is Time Herself, the All-Devourer. Her bloody sword aimed for our neck and the evered head invite us to contemplate the spiritual process: how suffering and grief are the ultimate forms of grace, deepening and purifying us until we realize our non-dual nature. Her full, motherly breasts, her boon-bestowing and fear-dispelling hasta-mudrās (gestures) and her sweetly, smiling face remind us that thought She is a madwoman reeling under the spell of divine intoxication, She is ever our benevolent Mother that does every thing only for our spiritual growth, for our highest good even when we ourselves might not see it that way at the time. 

We explore all of this in much more details in our lecture series on Kālī which you can watch here: https://www.patreon.com/collection/266524

In this lecture, we go a little deeper, beyond the external appearance and all of its symbolic richness, into the "Bhāva", the "mood" of Mā Kālī. Almost always, She is depicted as drunk, mad and aroused. Now, what's all that about? In the first of three lectures in this mini-series on Mā Kālī's mood, we explore the motif of inebriation and intoxication.

DISCLAIMER: many people around the world are struggling with series substance abuse issues and if at any point in this video, I sound flippant about these issues, do forgive me. I am making the case that spirituality is much finer vintage than any wine in the world, a much deeper high than any drug. That being said, there might be some elements of this conversation that those with substance abuse problems might find triggering. Be forewarned!

Jai Mā!

For more detailed instructions for how to perform Kālī pūjā, watch this playlist: https://www.patreon.com/collection/233799

Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815

For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to

Support the show

Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815

For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:
https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnish

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM