Bhadrakali (from the Sanskrit word bhadra, which means "blessed") - The epithet of a strong, fierce, war-like, blood-lusting, and frightening manifestation of the Great Primordial, and Invincible Goddess of Time in Hindu mythology.
Bhadrakali's birth is linked to the death of Shiva's first wife, Sati, according to one version of the tale.
- Sati participates in a major sacrifice organized by her father, Daksha.
- Sati immolates herself in the sacrificial fire in her wrath and humiliation after Daksha publicly criticizes her husband Shiva.
- Shiva is so angry when he hears of Sati's death that he plucks two matted locks (jata) from his head and throws them to the ground.
The one assumes the shape of Virabhadra, Shiva's wrathful and frightening form, while the second assumes the form of Bhadrakali.
- In the same way that Virabhadra represents Shiva's destructive side, Bhadrakali depicts the Goddess's fierce and deadly side, in contrast to the gentle and devoted Sati.
- Shiva commands the two to destroy Daksha's sacrifice, which they execute with zeal.
- Bhadrakali is frequently mentioned in tales about the birth of the deity Krishna.
- Bhadrakali enters the womb of Krishna's foster mother, Yashoda, as Krishna is growing in Devaki's womb.
The two infants are born on the same night and are swapped with one another under the cover of darkness.
- The following morning, Devaki's newborn daughter is kidnapped by her stepbrother, Kamsa, the evil king of Mathura, who smashes the child's brains into a rock, exactly like he did with Devaki's other six children since it was prophesied that one of them would murder him.
- An eight-armed figure of the Goddess emerges from the infant's body, taunting Kamsa that his destroyer has already fled and then vanishes.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
