Bhadrakali
Every question on the site tagged Bhadrakali, each answered from a timestamped source rather than a summary written from memory.
A fierce form of Goddess Kali without the boon-granting (Varada) hand gesture — tantric in nature and not intended for ordinary householder worship.
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Where the Kalika Kavach is recited: a Kali temple outside the shmashan, never at home
The speaker says this Kavach is never to be recited at home; it must be done in a temple of Kali — any Kali: Raksha Kali, Bhadrakali, Dakshineshwari Kali, Adya Kali or another — which must not stand on shmashan ground, though nearby is fine once outside its boundary. A Shiva temple beside the Kali temple is excellent. If no Kali temple is near, the second option is a Shiva temple, the more secluded the better, but never on shmashan ground. A beginner must never go straight to a shmashan for this; the full Marana Prayoga vidhan given in the Phalashruti is not done directly — initiated people do that.
What family of fierce goddess forms — Pratyangira, Bhadrakali, Aparajita, and others — share a common origin?
Pratyangira, Bhadrakali, Viparita Pratyangira, Maha Viparita Pratyangira, Nikumbhala, and Aparajita all originate from the Mula Shakti residing in Lord Shiva's matted locks, branching through Goddess Parvati and Bhadrakali — metaphysically unified, but distinct in iconography (mounts, weapons, arm counts, and Dhyana Mantras).
Fierce kul deities bound by Shiva's oath: Rudrabhishek and 14 days of bilva havan
Taking the example of a family whose kul deities are Sokha Baba and Banni Mata, the speaker says people get offended — who could bind them? — but repeats that by Shiva ji's shapath and dohai even these two shaktis will stop. If it seems that the fierce shaktis among your kul deities — even Virabhadra himself, Bhadrakali herself — are being held back, it is because they keep the honour of a devotee's vachan: someone has laid a laag saying "Prabhu, do not hear", so they do not hear. Then you take refuge in Mahadev: do Rudrabhishek, or abhishek by the names of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and with Mahadev's ashtottara shatnam, the Tatpurusha mantra, or the Vedic Shiva mantras with Gayatri for those who wear the yagyopavit — whatever you can manage — offer ghee and til on Bilva samidha from Pratipada to Chaturdashi, 14 days, at least 108 ahutis daily. Such deities will come out of bandhan; if savari used to come on anyone it will come again; and if you had received a sign of the binding, you will receive a sign again that they are free, and the family will prosper.
Origin of Virabhadra at Daksha's yajna
The speaker says that when Sati burnt herself in the fire of Daksha's yajna, Lord Shiva tore out a lock of his matted hair and struck it on a Himalayan peak; the lock split in two, and from one piece Virabhadra and from the other Bhadrakali appeared. They destroyed Daksha's yajna. Virabhadra cut off Daksha's head and threw it into the yajna fire, and killed every sage, Bhrigu and Aryama among them, who used his siddhi to stop him or stood with Daksha in Shiva's insult.
Virabhadra's wrath pacified by marriage to Bhadrakali
The speaker says that even after the boon, Virabhadra's anger did not subside and kept wreaking destruction, while he also felt remorse for having killed so many sages. To calm him, Bhadrakali, who is his shakti, herself proposed a worldly marriage; the two married with fire as witness, as forms of Shiva and Shakti, and only then did his anger settle. Once calm, the speaker says, his remorse for the sages grew much stronger.
What is the Hessonite (Gomed) Ganapati used for?
Worshipped in Aghora traditions alongside Vira, Kshipra, or Uchchhishta Ganapati, it is highly effective for pacifying severe Masana afflictions, curses from intentional abortions, or in households dedicated to Bhadrakali/Bandi Mata and Virabhadra.
In how many forms is Bhagavati present at Munger?
Bhagavati Munger ki Bhavani, Badi Durga Maharani — her seva we too do daily, he says; the mahima of the Mai at Munger is exceedingly great. At the sthan of Bhagavati at Munger the Maa is present in two swaroops: in one, the swaroop of Bhagavati Badi Durga Maharani that you see, and the second is Bhagavati Chandika. The pujan of both swaroops takes place there. The swaroop of Chandika remains worshipped throughout the year, and the shringar swaroop of Munger ki Bhavani we see especially at the time of Navratri.
People are at last searching the shastras to see whether Bhadrakali really sweeps, and who Bhadrakali actually is
At least people are now waking up and trying to know, he says: whether it is really written that Bhadrakali ji cannot even wield a broom or a sweeping cloth; whether that is so; who Bhadrakali actually is; and what the proof in the shastra is. Proof is being searched for and people are posting it. His own work, he says, is only to stop the new people who are about to be led astray.
Every example offered comes from the Brahmavaivarta Purana, while the Devi Purana is where the matter should be looked for
It seems to him, he says, that the person has not properly studied even his own Vaishnava shastras; had he studied them he would never have said such a thing. Every example they give is from the Brahmavaivarta Purana, and all of it has now been collected. He himself does not read the Brahmavaivarta but the Devi Bhagavat, the Devi Purana, because that is his aradhya — and in it there is discussion of how Bhagavati Radha appeared. For him Radha and Shiva are one, because that is what the Devi Purana says, so as one who worships everybody he has no trouble.
Which single vidhan pleases every devi, pauranik and lok alike?
Asked which vidhan gives the special sanidhya that pleases all kinds of devis — pauranik devis, lok devis, all of them — he calls it a most excellent and meaningful question and says the vidhan is available on the channel. It is the first mantra of the Argala: जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी. Whoever keeps doing its purashcharan, whoever keeps doing japa of it, all kinds of devi shaktis become pleased, whatever shakti it may be. If she is endowed with devi tattva she will certainly be pleased — even a lok devi, and even the negative shaktis, because Bhagavati Bhadrakali too is in it, and by her rule those things become favourable however unfavourable they may be.
What should someone whose kuldevi is Bandi Mata do?
Pritam Kumar ji, if the kuldevi is Bandi Mata, then you will have to do Bhadrakali's, the speaker answers. Do the Bhadrakali kavach, and you should do the path of the Bhadrakali Sahasranama and the rest. But be confirmed that your kuldevi is indeed Bandi Mata, only then. That is her swaroop — Bhadrakali herself is the swaroop of Bandi Mata.
Why would the name Bhadrakali cause a commotion?
It is Bhagavati's name, not any such mantra — but on hearing the name Bhadrakali, a great commotion arises among the pret atmas, brother. As soon as you say Bhadrakali Kapalini, everyone will be frightened, wondering why this man is taking the name Kapalini. So do the path in a gentle voice; do the path comfortably, do not do it loudly. And secondly, people are coming to know of your sadhana and interfering in it, and quarrels are happening — which is not proper.
How did Bhagavati Kali manifest?
Know that, as with japa in a grahan where manifold fruit is obtained, Kali Chaudas too has great importance, he says. As to how Bhagavati Kali manifested: Bhadrakali, who manifested from the jata of Bhagavan Shiva; she who manifested from the forehead of Bhagavati Kaushiki; Bhagavati Chamunda, who is a form of Bhagavati Kali and is also held to be a portion of Bhadrakali, and who is worshipped most of all; and Kalika, who remained in the form of Bhagavati Kalika when Kaushiki separated from the body of Bhagavati Parvati. Of these three principal forms, the origin of one is held to be on Kali Chaudas.
Is it Maa Kali in the original form, or Bhadrakali?
The speaker says he has clarified this many times: it is the swaroop of Bhadrakali and of Virabhadra ji that is obtained.
What is the difference between Banni Parmeshwari and Bandi Parmeshwari?
The speaker says a difference has to be made here, since the names cause confusion: Bandi Mata is Patal Kalika, and she is also there in the form of Bhadrakali.
Who is the kul devi where Sokha Baba is worshipped?
The speaker says that with Virabhadra — that is, Sokha Baba — people have now also had Sati Maa worshipped, or she became worshipped in later times; but the main puja alongside Sokha Baba will be that of Bhadrakali, because Bhadrakali is the shakti of Virabhadra, his wedded consort. Where Sokha Baba is worshipped, Bhadrakali becomes the kuldevi; where Bandi Parmeshwari is worshipped, Sokha Baba automatically becomes the kul devata.
If Gauraiya Baba is the kul devata, who is the kul devi and kul Bhairav?
The speaker says that if the kul devata is Gauraiya Baba, then in the form of kul Bhairav it is he himself who will remain. The kul devi would have to be looked for, if none was seated later. What has happened, he says, is that in the present time lok shaktis have been seated alongside great shaktis, so how can he speak about a new one.
How is a lok devata like Sokha Baba worshipped for special grace?
The speaker says he told above and tells again that Virabhadra and Bhadrakali are chiefly worshipped. If you want special grace and special pujan, then, as he has said before, the method of worshipping lok devi-devatas is of a limited measure — there are no particular mantras there. Pandit ji become very pleased and have the pujan done with the Purush Suktam and the Shri Suktam; and if you have it done through a good pandit ji of your own place, that is, the kul purohit who has the knowledge. But if you want something special, then you will have to go to their root swarup — Sokha Baba, that is Virabhadra, and their Parmeshwari, that is Bhagavati Bhadrakali.
What should be done if the family Shakti is known to be displeased?
Make Rasiyao — kheer with jaggery instead of sugar — mix in black sesame, curd and cow ghee, and offer 108 oblations with Bel leaves, using her own name. The speaker calls this a gentle application, not a Shatkarma.
What are the benefits of wearing a mundmala?
It is awesome for that, the speaker says wryly — but why do you need to wear a mundmala; if you are a householder, do not get entangled in the business of a mundmala. Bhagwan Sadashiva has worn the mundmala only when he has been apart from Bhagavati Sati in each birth, when he has been in the tantra kshetra, or when he has been with Bhagavati in the form of Bhairavi and Bhairav. A mundmala should not be worn just so. Nowadays people are making rules that there are various sorts of rule, a man is wearing it and living at home, and people also put up photographs wearing a mundmala; but go within, he says, and see how much effect it casts and in what manner.
Who is Bhadrakshi, and of which loka is she?
As for loka, Shiva loka alone will come, the speaker says, and Bhadrakshi is among the anga vidyas of Maa Bhadrakali in a yogini swaroop, and among the paricharikas too the name Bhadrakshi comes. But if you are the first person asking about this swaroop, and if she is your kuldevi, then the pujan will always chiefly be in the swaroop of Bhagavati Bhadrakali. Her pujan cannot be done independently, because she is an ugra and tamas-predominant devi; her pujan is done in the tamas manner. Plainly, the asura kula of former times used to worship the devi Bhadrakshi in the ugra manner, performing bali pujan and the like.
What is the Sandhi Puja and when does it fall?
The most principal time of all for a Devi devotee — the moment at which Bhagavati Chamunda manifests. This time it is on Tuesday the 30th of September, from 5:42 in the evening to 6:30. In it we are to do the Deepdaan of 108 for Bhagavati, the bali, her special Stuti, and the japa. This span is never to be let go.
Which Rudraksha goes with a Chandika Yantra?
With Bhagavati Chandika, the nine-mukhi Chandika Rudraksha alone, if there is one, is plenty. Beyond that, if you wish to keep a Mandal or a Panchayatana, that is a separate matter.
The Chandi Kavach, Bhadrakali's veer kavach, Shiva's Aghor kavach, Virabhadra's and Panchmukhi Hanuman's
He says that in earlier times, what used to happen was that the brave warriors who went into the army had that very nyasa performed upon them for the sake of obtaining victory in war. In the same manner, he says, take the Chandi Kavach in the Shri Durga Saptashati and the like, the veer kavach of Bhagavati Bhadrakali, the Aghor kavach of Bhagavan Shiva, the raksha-granting kavach of Bhagavan Virabhadra, the kavach of Panchmukhi Hanuman ji — all these kavachas endowed with fierceness. The nyasa of all these kavachas: nyasa of the kavach here means the nyasa of the whole kavach.
A dream said the Chalisa downloaded from social media was wrong — does that happen?
To AK Patro ji, who had downloaded the Ma Bhadrakali Chalisa from social media and started reading it, and in between had a dream that the Chalisa is wrong and should not be read, he answers that this happens. Somebody had sent a Vaishno Devi Chalisa, he says, in which in place of poshan the word shoshan was written. This is exactly the difficulty with downloading from the net. He also says that a mantra made siddha absolutely should be done again.
Can the Kali Chalisa be recited and offered to one's ishta devi?
Yes, absolutely, it can be done, he answers. If Bhadrakali is your ishta and adhishthatri shakti then you may certainly recite the Kali Chalisa, and you may also recite the Kali Kavach. In an ordinary household Bhadrakali is worshipped only if she is your kuldevi; otherwise the puja of Bhadrakali is not ordinarily done at home. But if she is your kuldevi then certainly do it — and if you have been doing it, then do it now, you should not leave it.
Is Ravana's kuldevi Nikumbhala the same as Pratyangira?
Asked whether Mata Nikumbhala is Ma Pratyangira, the speaker answers yes: Bhagavati Pratyangira has in places been held to be the Bhadrakali form, and has been held to be the Nikumbhala form as well. He then sets out what the tantra granthas describe of the form established in Ravana's kula.
Who is Sati Banni Mata?
Banni Mata has been called a form of Bhadrakali, the speaker says. He has said many times that the Jayanti Mangala Kali mantra is the finest for those whose kuldevi is Banni Mata, because Bhadrakali comes within it. Names get corrupted and become different; and since Sokha Baba and Gauraiya Baba are worshipped alongside both, it is understood that the shaktis are one. Even if by distinction one takes them as two, still the form is held to be that of Bhadrakali; and in the Kashi kshetra, where the temple stands, the same form is held — Bhagavati Bhadrakali present in the patal kshetra.
Who is Budhi Mai, and who is Banni Mata?
Budhi Mai is a lok devi, a lok yogini, he says. And Banni Mata, as he has told before, is Bhagavati Bhadrakali.
What role does Kali play in the Durga Saptashati, and what are her different forms?
In the Durga Saptashati, Kali emerges as a fierce warrior form who slays the asuras Chanda and Munda (becoming Chamunda) and drinks every drop of the self-replicating asura Raktabija's blood to prevent his multiplication — the author also lists distinct forms of Kali including Siddha Kali, Guhya Kali, Dakshina Kali, and Bhadrakali.
What does the Kalika Purana say about Durga's threefold manifestation, and her connection to Rama?
The Kalika Purana describes Durga destroying a great asura three times across three kalpas, manifesting each time in a different form — eighteen-armed Ugrachanda, sixteen-armed Bhadrakali, and ten-armed Katyayani — and Shakta lore credits Rama with initiating the sharad ritu Durga puja before defeating Ravana.
What does the Anand Ramayana say about Bhadrakali and Bhagavati Sita?
According to the Anand Ramayana, he says, there is Satananda — Dashanan was ten, Satananda is the thousand-faced Ravana as it is put; sahasranan, Satananda, and Satananda would then be a six-faced Ravana. For his slaying Bhagavati Bhadrakali manifested, and her place of manifestation is given there as the kesh-pash of Bhagavati Sita.
How many arms does the Shmashan Bhairav form have?
There is a full description of his form, he says: he has eighteen arms. Think about it — how the arms are connected with shakti, what is said about it, upon whom he is present; the eighteen-armed Durga, the sixteen-armed Durga who has been called Bhadrakali, what the connections are. The whole subject, he says, will go on becoming clear to you from this.
Which sadhana is advised for a listener asking about protection deities?
Do the sadhana of Bhagavati Bhadrakali and of Virabhadra, the speaker tells the questioner.
What is the household sequence of daily worship the speaker gives to a woman?
First give water to Surya and water to Tulsi ji — but if you are not giving water to Tulsi ji on Sunday, then do not give it. After that, guru pujan, Ganpati pujan, Batuk Bhairav's pujan, Hanuman ji's pujan, and thereafter Bhagavati's pujan and then Shiv ji's. In between, after Hanuman ji, do the puja of Lakshmi Narayan or of Ram ji if you do it. If you worship Kuber before Shiv ji, or if your kuldevi and kuldevata are Sokha Baba, Gauraiya Baba, Banni Mata or Bandi Parmeshwari, then at the time of Shiv ji's pujan do the dhyan mantra of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali with whatever pujan paddhati you have.
What argument is used to justify Shamshan Kali worship at home?
The speaker reports the argument put back to him: you yourself say that the root form of all the shaktis of Bhagavati is Ma Parvati. So Shamshan Kali is one form of Parvati ji — what difficulty will there be if we do it in the house? What will happen if we do the puja of Bhadrakali in the house? And what difficulty will there be if we do all these things having eaten and drunk?
Which stutis of Kali ji may be recited?
Whichever stuti of Kali ji you wish, the speaker says, you may do. Do the Mahishasura Mardini. Do the Sankata stuti. Do the Bhagavati Kalika Adya Kali stuti. There is the Bhadrakali stuti, do that. There is the Kalika Mahimna, do that.
What are the differences between Bhadrakali, Mahakali, Kali and Kalika?
There is a great deal of difference, the speaker says: Bhadrakali, Mahakali, Kalika and Kali all differ. Bhadrakali is she who manifested from Bhagavan Shiva's jata, from the krodh tattva. Mahakali is the form of the Adya Shakti herself, she who is Adya — Adya Kali, Dakshina Kali, Mahakali. And as for Kali, within Kali too there is a Kali and a Kalika. Kali, when you read the seventh adhyaya of the Durga Saptashati, manifested from the forehead of Ma Kaushiki; her we also call Kali, and the same one is also called Chamunda. And there is a Kalika, who is the form that remained when Bhagavati Kaushiki went out of Ma Parvati's body; that form became famous as Kalika. This, he says, is the fundamental difference of form.
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