Day 7 of Navratri: Maa Kaalratri

The seventh manifestation of Maa Durga is Maa Kaalratri. She is the most fierce form of among the Navdurga. All the evil spirits fear from this form of hers.

How Maa Kaalratri looks like?

Maa Kaalratri is dark in colour. Her vaahan (vehicle) is gardhav (donkey). Flames emanate when she breathes. She is depicted as one with open untangled hairs, angry eyes, wearing a garland of skulls, and has four arms. Two hands always remain in abhaya mudra (protecting), and varmudra (blessing) position; while other two hands hold a kripan (scimitar) and a vajra (thunderbolt).

The story of Maa Kaalratri

The word 'Kaalratri' may be broken down into two words: 'Kaal', meaning time and 'ratri' meaning night or darkness. So, Maa Kaalratri is known to be the destroyer of darkness. The story goes like this- once the King of heaven, Indradev had killed a demon named, Namuchi. Enraged by this act, their brothers Shumbh and Nishumbh decided to take revenge. With the help of Chanda, Munda, and Raktabeej, they attacked the devatas and defeated them in the war. Soon, they conquered all the three worlds and ruled over them. Feeling helpless, the devatas approached Maa Durga and requested to free them from the oppression of demons. Showing mercy on them, Maa Durga took the form of Maa Chandi and fought a war against the demons. Maa Chandi created 'Kaalratri' from her forehead to accompany her in the battle. Maa Kaalratri then killed the demons, Chanda and Munda, and came to be known as 'Chamunda'. Raktabeej on the other hand, had got a boon from Brahma that every drop of his blood if fell on the ground would regenerate into a new clone from it. So, from every attack of Maa Kaalratri multiple clones of Raktabeej were created. It thus became very difficult to kill him. Even then she did not quit. However, the gods in the heaven had lost all hope, wondering how would one defeat such demon. The furious Maa Kaalratri after beheading, started drinking the blood of Raktabeej and his clones, preventing the blood to fell on the ground. In this way, she successfully killed Raktabeej.

Significance of Worshipping Maa Kaalratri

Maa Kaalratri rides on donkey, an animal which is used to carry heavy loads throughout life. And it is so cruel that people just leave the animal when it becomes useless to them. It signifies one who has no one has Maa Kaalratri with them. She punishes the guilty and protects the innocent.

Maa may look fearsome in appearance. But people who worship her with purity in soul, love in heart, with intention of devotion- they need not to fear as she is the most compassionate and kindest one as well. She becomes like a queen in battle who never gives up. Her devotees are thus blessed with fearlessness, courage, and tenacity.

She is also known as 'Shubhankari', whose arrival always brings good fortune. She brings light when people least expect- to where there is no hope, to even situations of helplessness. She is also called, 'Bhayakarini' (one who removes fear). So, those who pray her become free from any kind of fear. People also worship her to get rid of Shani dosha as she is the one who rules the planet, Shani (Saturn). Her blessings activates the sahasrar (crown) chakra that helps to get spiritual enlightenment.