This antiquated Dhokra (lost wax casting) item depicts the Hindu Goddess Kali, standing atop Lord Shiva. Her toungue is sticking out, as is depicted in most portrayals of Goddess Kali in Hindu forms of art.
Kali is one of the most well known and worshipped Hindu Goddesses. Kali in Hinduism, is a manifestation of the Divine Mother, which represents the female principle. Kali is the ferocious aspect of Devi Durga perfectly personified. According to the Purana, this image of Durga as Kali, so widely worshipped in eastern parts of India, owes its origin to the battle of Durga with Shumbha and Nishumbha. She after her victory over these demons was so overjoyed that she started the dance of death. In her great ecstasy Kali continued the destruction. As the prayers of all gods could not calm her, Lord Shiva had to intervene. Seeing no other way of dissuading her, the God threw himself amongst the bodies of slain demons. When Kali saw that she was dancing over the body of her husband, she put her tongue out of her mouth in sorrow and surprise. She remained stunned in this posture and this is how Kali is shown in images with the red tongue protruding from her mouth.
Despite Kali's origins in battle, she evolved to a full-fledged symbol of Mother Nature in her creative, nurturing and devouring aspects. Kali is the full picture of the Universal Power. She is Mother, the Benign; and Mother, the Terrible. She creates and nourishes and she skills and destroys.
This antiquated Dhokra (lost wax casting) item depicts the Hindu Goddess Kali, standing atop Lord Shiva. Her toungue is sticking out, as is depicted in most portrayals of Goddess Kali in Hindu forms of art.
Kali is one of the most well known and worshipped Hindu Goddesses. Kali in Hinduism, is a manifestation of the Divine Mother, which represents the female principle. Kali is the ferocious aspect of Devi Durga perfectly personified. According to the Purana, this image of Durga as Kali, so widely worshipped in eastern parts of India, owes its origin to the battle of Durga with Shumbha and Nishumbha. She after her victory over these demons was so overjoyed that she started the dance of death. In her great ecstasy Kali continued the destruction. As the prayers of all gods could not calm her, Lord Shiva had to intervene. Seeing no other way of dissuading her, the God threw himself amongst the bodies of slain demons. When Kali saw that she was dancing over the body of her husband, she put her tongue out of her mouth in sorrow and surprise. She remained stunned in this posture and this is how Kali is shown in images with the red tongue protruding from her mouth.
Despite Kali's origins in battle, she evolved to a full-fledged symbol of Mother Nature in her creative, nurturing and devouring aspects. Kali is the full picture of the Universal Power. She is Mother, the Benign; and Mother, the Terrible. She creates and nourishes and she skills and destroys.)
