In ancient India, a
place where mythology and reality are entwined, there lived a demon called
Raktabija. It was not an ordinary demon, for every drop of his blood that fell
upon the earth, gave birth to one of him innumerable and manifold. Raktabija
terrorized the whole world, and not even the gods could stop him.
Desperate, the
divines turned to Kali Ma, the fearsome goddess of destruction. She came to the
battlefield like a night with her skin as dark as night, wearing a garland of
skulls on her head, and a furious expression on her face. She danced like a mad
woman, her rage aimed at the demon. Her sword cut through his monstrous form,
and her burning eyes penetrated his soul. She extended her long, red tongue
every time his blood dropped and drank it up to prevent his regeneration.
During a cataclysmic
battle, Kali Ma defeated Raktabija and his demon army. She had saved the world
from the coming doom by her strength and fearlessness. However, Kali Ma’s
violent dance of destruction symbolized the chaos and salvation in the cycle of
existence in Hindu mythology. Her story is a warning to all that sometimes you
only win a fight with the strongest by going within and fighting your worst
foe.
Embrace the Divine Power: The Fierce Protector
This exquisite brass sculpture brings to life the formidable and revered form of Mother Goddess Kali, the embodiment of divine feminine power and transformation. Crafted with intricate detail by skilled artisans in India, this statue captures the essence of Kali's fierce grace and her role as the destroyer of ego and ignorance. The deep, rich patina of the brass, combined with the striking green accents, evokes the primordial energy and ancient wisdom associated with this powerful deity.
The sculpture depicts Kali in her iconic stance, poised and ready to confront the forces that impede spiritual progress. Her multiple arms, a common representation symbolizing her omnipresence and boundless capabilities, hold symbolic implements, each carrying a profound meaning. The trident, a symbol of her dominion over the three states of consciousness – waking, dreaming, and deep sleep – signifies her mastery over the cycles of existence. The axe, a tool for severing attachments and illusions, represents her ability to cut through the ego and guide devotees towards liberation.
Symbolism and Sacred Significance
Kali's image is often misunderstood, but at its core, she is the divine mother who eradicates all that is negative and harmful, both externally and within the individual. She is the force that ultimately leads to salvation and spiritual awakening. Her formidable appearance, with her extended tongue and fierce gaze, is not intended to instill fear but to command respect and inspire awe. These attributes symbolize her readiness to consume darkness and evil, thus paving the way for light and purity. The garland of skulls she wears is not a morbid adornment but represents her victory over ego and the cycles of birth and death, reminding us of the transient nature of worldly attachments. Her standing on the prostrate form of Shiva, often depicted as a serene and passive figure, symbolizes Kali's ultimate supremacy over even the masculine principle, illustrating that Shakti, the divine feminine energy, is the driving force behind all creation, preservation, and destruction.
A Testament to Indian Craftsmanship
This sculpture is more than just a decorative piece; it is a conduit for spiritual connection and a celebration of ancient artistic traditions. Each detail, from the subtle curves of her form to the sharp edges of her weaponry, is meticulously rendered by hand, imbuing the piece with a unique character and soul. The use of solid brass ensures its longevity, making it a cherished heirloom for generations to come. Whether placed in a sacred space for meditation and worship or displayed as a striking piece of art in your home, this Kali sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the divine and the importance of embracing all aspects of existence, from creation to destruction, as part of the grand cosmic dance.
Embracing the Divine Feminine: Understanding Kali and Her
Significance
Goddess Kali is one of the most powerful and revered deities in
Hinduism and is worshiped by many people across the globe
especially in the eastern part of India. She is considered to be
a ferocious form of Goddess Durga and is regarded as the
ultimate manifestation of Shakti. Goddess Kali also manifests as
the material nature and is regarded as the mother of all living
entities in the material world. Just like a caring mother, she
protects the living entities who follow the principles of Dharma
from demonic persons who always go against the laws of the
Supreme Lord.
Having a dark complexion, open hair, and bearing multiple arms
holding different weapons, Goddess Kali is often depicted
standing on the chest of Lord Shiva, her consort, as she
displays her rage toward the demon Raktabij. This pastime is
mentioned in various Puranas of Vedic literature in which
Goddess Kali severed the head of the demon who was creating
havoc on earth. This shows the protective nature of the Goddess.
The Vedic scriptures also mention that Goddess Kali is an
obedient devotee of the Supreme Lord Krishna or Vishnu who tests
living entities on their determination and devotion toward the
Lord.
What does Kali symbolize?
Goddess Kali is the manifestation of material nature. She is
like a benevolent mother who protects her children from any kind
of mishaps and misfortune. Mother Kali considers all living
entities her own children and takes care of them. She reforms
the forgetful souls who have turned their faces against the
Supreme Lord Krishna. Thus, she symbolizes mercy, compassion,
and kindness. Although she has a ferocious form, she is actually
carrying out the order of the Supreme Lord by utilizing her
power against those who blaspheme the Lord and do not abide by
His laws.
What is Kali worshiped for?
We can find thousands and lakhs of devotees of Goddess Kali all
over the world. She is especially venerated in the festival of
Kali Puja in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, and
Odisha. Being a merciful Goddess, she fulfills the desires of
her devotees. Some people worship Goddess Kali for some material
gains and profits and receive her blessings. However, those who
serve her selflessly and approach her to know about the Absolute
Truth and the real aim of human life, receive the highest
benediction of Goddess Kali. Being a devotee of the Supreme Lord
Krishna, she bestows her blessings upon them and guides them to
the path of devotion toward the Lord.
Where to place Kali statue at home?
Keeping the deity of Goddess Kali at home is very auspicious. If
you worship her regularly with faith and devotion, she will
become pleased and will shower her blessings upon you. Knowing
that she is worthy of our respectful obeisance is important and
therefore, you should not keep or handle her deity with a casual
attitude. You must keep the deity on your home altar.
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
- The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.
- To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.