Who is Goddess Kali?
Goddess Kali (also known as Mahakali, Shyama, Bhadrakali, and Dakshina Kali) is the most powerful and primal manifestation of Adi Shakti — the supreme feminine energy of the universe. Her name derives from the Sanskrit root Kaal (time/death), for she is the master of time, death, and transformation.
Maa Kali’s form is fierce and awe-inspiring: dark-blue skin, wild hair, garland of skulls, four arms holding a sword, severed head, and gestures of blessing and fearlessness. She stands upon the chest of Lord Shiva, symbolising the dynamic feminine energy activating the static masculine divine.
Despite her fearsome appearance, Kali is the loving cosmic mother who destroys the ego and grants ultimate liberation (Moksha). She is particularly worshipped during Kali Puja on Diwali night and Navratri.
॥ Doha — Opening Couplet ॥
Maatu Kripa Mohi Deejiye, Karahu Kaali Kalyan। Asur Nikandan Kari Kripa, Keejai Abhay Pradaan॥
Meaning: O Divine Mother Kali, grant your grace and auspiciousness. Vanquisher of darkness, shower your mercy and bestow fearlessness on your surrendered devotees.
॥ Chaupai — 40 Sacred Verses ॥
1. Jai Jai Kali Kaal Vinashini, Mundamalini Bhav Bhay Harini। Khadga Khappar Dhari Vikarala, Raktbeej Hanta Mahakala॥ Meaning: Victory to Maa Kali, destroyer of death-fear and time. Wearing a skull garland, wielding sword and skull-cup you slew the demon Raktabija.
2. Shyama Roopa Maha Shakti Maa, Kripa Karo Aadi Shakti Maa। Neel Varna Tanu Virajati, Digambar Mundamaala Dhaarti॥ Meaning: Dark-blue in hue, O Maha Shakti, grant your grace, O Adi Shakti. Your dark form shines in the sky, clad in space itself, wearing a garland of skulls.
3. Chaar Bhuj Dhari Shakti Mahaan, Var Abhay Khadga Mund Mahaan। Shiv Vaksha Par Paad Dharat Maa, Brahmaand Ki Aadhar Maa॥ Meaning: Four-armed, great Shakti your hands bear the gestures of blessing and fearlessness, a sword and a severed head. You stand upon Shiva’s chest the very foundation of the cosmos.
4. Dakshin Kali Saumya Rupa, Bhakton Par Karo Kripa Anupa। Jo Bhav Se Dhyata Hai Tera, Uske Jeewan Mein Aayi Savera॥ Meaning: As Dakshinakali your form grows gentle and gracious. Shower incomparable grace upon devotees. Whoever meditates on you with devotion dawn breaks over their life.
5. Kali Naam Se Bhoot Bhaage, Pret Pisach Na Tere Aage। Tantra Mantra Ka Baadha Jata, Maa Kali Ka Naam Sunaata॥ Meaning: Ghosts flee at Kali’s name; spirits and demons dare not face you. Obstacles from tantra and mantra dissolve when Mother Kali’s name is uttered.
6. Maa Tara Chinnamasta Saang, Sab Mahavidya Teri Ang। Das Mahavidya Ki Pradhan Hain, Kali Sab Mein Mahaan Hain॥ Meaning: Tara, Chinnamasta all Mahavidyas are your aspects. Kali is the foremost among the ten Mahavidyas, the greatest of them all.
7. Kaali Naam Japane Se Phal, Milta Hai Jeevan Ka Safal। Man Ka Darr Saara Mita, Atma Shakti Badha Diya॥ Meaning: Chanting Kali’s name brings the fruit of a fulfilled life. All the mind’s fear is erased and the soul’s inner strength is amplified.
8. Navratri Mein Pooja Karo, Maa Kali Ko Aaradhna Karo। Raat Jaagran Bhajan Gao, Maa Ki Kripa Ko Pao॥ Meaning: Worship during Navratri, offer devotion to Maa Kali. Stay awake in the night, sing bhajans and receive the Mother’s boundless grace.
9. Kali Puja Diwali Ki Raat, Maa Ki Kripa Sab Se Baat। Is Raat Pooja Jo Karta Hai, Maa Uski Marad Karti Hai॥ Meaning: On Diwali night the Kali Puja is observed and the Mother’s grace speaks to all. Whoever worships on this night the Mother helps and uplifts them.
10. Lal Hibiscus Phool Chadhao, Maa Kali Ko Khush Karo। Bali Bhog Ka Prasad Do, Maa Ki Kripa Apaar Lo॥ Meaning: Offer red hibiscus flowers and delight Mother Kali. Offer the sacred Bali and prasad and receive the Mother’s immeasurable grace.
11. Mahakali Ki Mahima Badi, Sab Bhakton Par Kripa Ghadi। Jo Koi Maa Ko Dhyata Hai Nit, Uski Raksha Karo Aaj Bhi॥ Meaning: Great is the glory of Mahakali; her mercy rains upon all devotees. O Mother, protect — even today — whoever meditates on you daily.
12. Maa Kali Ke Dar Mein Aao, Aur Apni Haar Bhool Jao। Maa Ki Shakti Le Karke Chalo, Har Mushkil Se Ladke Chalo॥ Meaning: Come to Mother Kali’s threshold and forget your defeat. Take the Mother’s power with you and march forward, fighting every difficulty.
13. Asur Nashani Shakti Apaar, Bhakt Ke Sankat Ka Karo Nihaar। Maa Kali Hain Sab Se Badi, Unki Kripa Sab Se Acchi॥ Meaning: Incomparable demon-destroying power behold the troubles of your devotees. Mother Kali is the greatest of all and her grace is the finest gift.
14. Teri Pooja Se Man Ka Darr Jata, Aur Jeevan Mein Sukh Aata। Kali Naam Japte Rehna, Har Mushkil Se Bachte Rehna॥ Meaning: Worshipping you, the mind’s fear dissolves and happiness enters life. Keep chanting Kali’s name and be saved from every difficulty.
15. Maa Ki Aankhon Mein Prem Hai, Maa Ke Haathon Mein Bal Hai। Maa Ki Chhaaya Mein Rehna, Kali Naam Japte Rehna॥ Meaning: In the Mother’s eyes there is love; in the Mother’s hands there is strength. Dwell under the Mother’s shelter and keep chanting Kali’s name.
16. Kali Maa Teri Jai Ho Jai, Bhakton Ka Sab Kasht Mit Jai। Maa Ki Pooja Karo Din Raat, Maa Karti Hai Sab Se Baat॥ Meaning: Victory to Mother Kali! May all devotees’ troubles be removed. Worship the Mother day and night — the Mother speaks with each one of us.
17. Maa Kali Ka Naam Le Jab, Sab Vikat Sankat Mit Jab। Aur Maa Khud Aati Hain, Bhakton Ka Dukh Leti Hain॥ Meaning: When you take Mother Kali’s name, every fierce obstacle dissolves. And the Mother herself comes and takes away the sorrow of her devotees.
18. Kali Naam Se Shakti Aati, Maa Ke Darsh Se Khushi Aati। Jeevan Mein Umang Aati Hai, Maa Ki Kirpa Se Rang Aata Hai॥ Meaning: Kali’s name brings power; the Mother’s vision brings joy. Enthusiasm blossoms in life and colour is added by the Mother’s grace.
19. Tum Shakti Ho Tum Bhakti Ho, Tum Mukti Ho Tum Shakti Ho। Tum Brahmaand Ki Aadhar Ho, Sab Ka Apara Bhandar Ho॥ Meaning: You are Shakti, you are Bhakti, you are liberation, you are power. You are the foundation of the cosmos and the inexhaustible storehouse of all.
20. Maa Kali Ke Charanon Mein, Sab Sukh Sab Shanti Mein। Jo Koi Tere Paas Aata, Uska Dil Khush Ho Jaata॥ Meaning: At Mother Kali’s feet lies all happiness and all peace. Whoever comes to you heir heart fills with joy.
21. Tan Man Dhan Sab Arpan Karo, Maa Kali Ko Dhyan Karo। Maa Ki Kripa Amrit Baras, Bhakt Ko Mile Jeevan Ka Rasa॥ Meaning: Surrender body, mind, and wealth meditate on Mother Kali. The Mother’s grace rains like nectar and the devotee receives the very essence of life.
22. Shiv Sang Jo Virajti Maa, Sab Brahmaand Ki Rajti Maa। Tum Shiv Shakti Ek Ho, Sab Ka Kalyaan Vivek Ho॥ Meaning: Dwelling with Shiva, you reign over the entire cosmos. You and Shiva are one the wise understanding that brings good to all.
23. Kali Naam Ka Jaap Karo, Har Buri Shakti Ko Door Karo। Maa Kali Ka Kavach Lo, Har Musibat Se Aage Ho॥ Meaning: Chant Kali’s name and drive away every negative power. Take Mother Kali’s armour and rise above every misfortune.
24. Maa Ka Naam Amrit Hai Sada, Jo Piye Uska Dil Sada। Maa Ka Aashirvaad Le Sadaa, Jeevan Mein Aayi Naya Mada॥ Meaning: The Mother’s name is always nectar whoever drinks it, their heart is always pure. Receive the Mother’s blessing always and fresh enthusiasm fills life.
25. Kali Pooja Karne Wale, Sab Sankat Se Tarne Wale। Unka Jeevan Dhanya Hota, Maa Ki Kripa Ka Sada Pota॥ Meaning: Those who worship Kali cross every obstacle. Their life becomes blessed and they are always wrapped in the Mother’s grace.
26. Maa Kali Ki Mahima Gaate, Bhakti Mein Man Ko Lagaate। Har Pal Maa Ka Naam Lete, Jeevan Mein Anand Paate॥ Meaning: Singing Mother Kali’s glory and fixing the mind in devotion taking the Mother’s name every moment they find joy in life.
27. Maa Kali Ka Dhyan Lagao, Apni Taqat Ko Jagao। Sab Niraash Na Ho Samajh, Maa Hain Sath Yeh Samajh॥ Meaning: Meditate on Mother Kali and awaken your inner power. Understand that no one is hopeless understand that the Mother is with you.
28. Kali Maa Ki Bhakti Karo, Jeevan Ko Safal Karo। Maa Ki Kirpa Se Jio, Aur Sab Ko Pyaar Deo॥ Meaning: Practise devotion to Mother Kali and make your life fruitful. Live by the Mother’s grace and give love to all.
29. Maa Ka Naam Aur Dhyan Se, Jeevan Mein Aaye Sukhaan Se। Dukh Dardon Se Mukti Mile, Maa Ki Kirpa Sab Ko Mile॥ Meaning: Through the Mother’s name and meditation, life fills with happiness. Liberation from sorrow and pain is attained; may the Mother’s grace reach all.
30. Kali Puja Nit Karo, Maa Ka Ashirvaad Lo। Jeevan Mein Prem Badhao, Aur Khushiyan Failaao॥ Meaning: Perform Kali’s Puja daily and receive the Mother’s blessing. Increase love in life and spread happiness around you.
31. Maa Kali Sab Ki Raksha Karo, Bhakton Ka Sankat Door Karo। Aur Teri Shakti Se Jio, Maa Ka Naam Nit Pio॥ Meaning: Mother Kali, protect all; remove devotees’ troubles. Live by your power and drink the Mother’s name daily.
32. Kali Chalisa Padh Ke Dekho, Jeevan Mein Badlaav Aaata Hai। Maa Ki Kirpa Se Sab Kuch Hota, Bhakt Ka Dil Sukh Paata Hai॥ Meaning: Read the Kali Chalisa and see the transformation in life. Everything happens by the Mother’s grace and the devotee’s heart attains peace.
33. Maa Ki Pooja Mein Lagao Dhyan, Aur Karo Maa Ka Gaan। Maa Ki Kirpa Ho Sab Par, Jeevan Mein Aaye Anand Har॥ Meaning: Fix your attention in the Mother’s worship and sing the Mother’s glory. May the Mother’s grace be upon all and joy come to life every moment.
34. Kali Naam Ke Bina Nahi Kuch, Kali Naam Hi Sab Kuch। Maa Ka Naam Jap Ke Dekh, Jeevan Bhar Ja Ke Baith॥ Meaning: Without Kali’s name there is nothing; Kali’s name is everything. Chant the Mother’s name and experience it then sit fulfilled for life.
35. Maa Ka Pyaar Sab Se Gahara, Maa Ka Aanchal Sab Se Sahara। Maa Ke Bina Koi Nahi Tera, Maa Ka Naam Hi Teri Dera॥ Meaning: The Mother’s love is the deepest; the Mother’s lap is the ultimate shelter. Without the Mother, no one is yours the Mother’s name is your very home.
36. Bhakti Bhav Se Dhyan Lagao, Maa Kali Ko Yaad Dilao। Maa Hamesha Sath Hain Teri, Maa Ka Pyaar Hain Sath Meri॥ Meaning: Fix your meditation with devotion and remind yourself of Mother Kali. The Mother is always with you the Mother’s love is always with me.
37. Kali Maa Ka Roop Aparo, Unki Mahima Ka Aasaro। Jo Bhi Dhyata Hai Maa Ko, Woh Pata Hai Amrit Ko॥ Meaning: Mother Kali’s form is limitless; take shelter in her immeasurable glory. Whoever meditates on the Mother finds the nectar of the divine.
38. Maa Ki Shakti Se Takleef Jati, Maa Ki Kirpa Se Zindagi Sati। Maa Ka Dhyan Karo Nit Subeh, Jeevan Ka Sukh Pao Ho॥ Meaning: By the Mother’s power troubles leave; by the Mother’s grace life becomes pure. Meditate on the Mother every morning and gain life’s true happiness.
39. Kali Naam Ka Sumiran Karo, Sab Buri Shaktiyon Ko Door Karo। Maa Ki Kirpa Se Jitten Hain, Sab Mushkilon Se Ubarte Hain॥ Meaning: Practise remembrance of Kali’s name and drive away all negative powers. By the Mother’s grace we triumph and rise above all difficulties.
40. Kali Chalisa Sampan Hua, Maa Ki Kirpa Ka Varan Hua। Bhakti Bhav Se Jo Padha Karo, Maa Ka Ashirvaad Nit Pao॥ Meaning: The Kali Chalisa is complete and the Mother’s grace has been invoked. Read it with sincere devotion and receive Mother Kali’s blessing every day.
॥ Closing Doha ॥
Kali Maa Ki Kirpa Se, Dur Hote Sab Bhay। Bhakton Ko Maa Ki Chhaya, Rahe Sada Nirbhay॥
Meaning: By Mother Kali’s grace, all fears are dispelled. May the Mother’s protective shadow keep devotees forever fearless.
Benefits of Reciting Kali Chalisa
- Fearlessness: Removes deep-seated fear, anxiety, and phobias
- Destruction of enemies: Grants protection from enemies and adversaries
- Liberation from maya: Helps cut through illusion and worldly attachment
- Removal of evil influences: Dispels black magic, evil eye, and negative energies
- Spiritual awakening: Accelerates the journey toward moksha and self-realisation
Best Time to Chant
- Kali Puja (Diwali night / Kartik Amavasya)
- Navratri — especially Ashtami and Navami
- Tuesday and Saturday nights
- Amavasya (new moon night) is especially powerful