Maa Kalaratri –The Fiercest Forms of Godess Durga Worship on 7th Navratri

एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता ।
लम्बोष्टी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्तशरीरिणी ॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोहलताकण्टकभूषणा ।
वर्धनमूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी ॥

Ekveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharastitha |
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirani ||
Vaampadolla Salloh Lata Kanthak Bhushna |
Vardhan Murdha Dhvaja Krishna Kalratri Bhayankari ||

The most horrendous appearance of Durga is in form of Kalaratri. This is the seventh aspect of Maa Durga worshipped on the 7th day sequence during Durga Navaratri. She is believed to be the most violent Devi among Navdurga. Kalaratri means the One who is “the Death of Kaal”. Here Kaal is dedicated as time and death. Kalratri is also known by the names of Mahamaya, Mahamari, Mahakali, Shudha, Trisha, Nidra, Trishna, Ekveera and Durtyaya. With her magnificent eyes, Maa has a vision of grace on her devotees.

Kalaratri is the one who destroys Avidya, and removes darkness. This is symbolic of human life having dark side that Mother nature bombards one with violence to create havoc before all ‘dirt’ is removed. Darkness also represents ‘Tamsa gunas’. So symbolically Kalaratri exhorts a devotee to get rid the tamasic qualities of bad, evil and negative tendencies. 

Goddess Kalaratri complexion is dark black and she rides on a donkey. Her thorny necklace shines like the lights from thunders. She is clad in loose red cloth to cover her upper body and wears tiger skin below her waist. Her whole body adorns various forms of thorny garlands, anklets, waist-bands, wrist-bands and armlets. She is depicted with four hands. Her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra and she carries “sword’ and the deadly ‘iron hook’ in her left hands. It is believed that the planet Shani is governed by Goddess Kalaratri.

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that it is only Goddess Kalratri who could demolish the extreme agony of devil Raktabeej. No one could kill Raktabeej, as even one drop of his scattered blood was able to form another embodiment of Raktabeej. And that way, scattered blood of Raktabeej formed other billions of Raktabeej. Devi Bhagwati manifested herself in Kalaratri, and kept a Patra (vessel) to keep and imbibe entire blood of his body. Her extreme violent appearance while destroying Raktabeej and other demons hugely terrified all organisms of Universe. But still, she is a generous Goddess for her great devotees.

This seventh day worship of much importance to yogis and sadhaks. They do penance on Shahasrara Chakra on this day. For such a striver the door of all Siddhis of the universe start opening. This day the sadhaka with all his faculties is identified with the mother Kalaratri. As a result of her direct vision the devotee becomes quite fit to earn all sorts of virtues. All sins and obstacles in his way are completely destroyed. He attains the abodes which are the fruit of inexhaustible virtues. For sadhaksrs every siddhi in universe is open on this day.

Kalaratri destroys demons, devils, daanava, daitya, asura and also the wicked. It is said that bhota, pretha and pichasa will run upon hearing Kalaratri’s name. She is also the remover of planetary evils. But Mother always appears auspicious in her effect hence she is called Shubhankari, meaning ‘doing good’. As Subhankari, she makes bhaktas fearless. They have no fear from fire, water, wild being or the enemy. By revering Goddess Kalarathri in the heart, meditating on her and doing japa-nama, her bhaktas worship single mindedly. Devotees need not fear her as she basically symbolizes auspiciousness.

Bhog For Maa Kalratri

This form of Maata Durga is a remover of all the evil powers and thus is called by the name of Kalratri. On this day fast is observed whole day and then Jaggery (Gud) is offered as Bhog to the Mata. This Bhog is also given to Brahman along with Dakshina. Worshipping the Goddess in this way relieves the devotee from all his pains and also reduces the abrupt pains that may arise.