The Interesting Story Of Maa Kaalratri

Ancient Myths About Maa Kaalratri

The epic Mahabharat reveals that at the time of war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Dronacharya was duped into making surrender by accepting the defeat. Then his son named Ashwatthama was keen to avenge his father’s death.

So, he went to Kuru camp, where all Pandavas were in a deep sleep. Ashwatthama then started attacking those Pandavas with Lord Shiva’s influence. Following that, Maa Kaalratri arrived on the scene with a blood-filled mouth and terrifying looks.

Skanda Purana reveals that once Lord Shiva requested his wife Parvati to rescue the gods from a demon named, Durgamasur. Maa Parvati agreed to Lord Shiva and arrived in the fiercest form to defeat the devil. Furthermore, it says Goddess Kaalratri killed a demon by removing her golden skin and swallowing his blood.

Devi-Bhagavata Purana suggests that Maa Parvati’s skin became incredibly dark after Goddess Ambika incarnated from her body. Kaal means the one who kills the demon, and Ratri means night time, which combinedly forms the name ‘Kalaratri’. The idol of Maa Kaalratri is depicted as Goddess having two arms, carrying a half-broken skull and deadly weapons in her hands.

What does Maa Kalaratri symbolizes?

According to the Rig Veda’s Ratri Suktam, sage Kushika realized the enveloping force of darkness while meditating and thus invoked Ratri (night) as an all-powerful goddess. As a result, the darkness after sunset became deified, and sages invoked it to free mortals from their fears and bonds to the earth. Each phase of the night is ruled by the goddess, who fulfills the wish of the aspirants.

Ratridevi (also known as ‘Goddess Ratri’ or ‘Goddess of the Night’) was later associated with several goddesses, including Durga, who appears in the Atharva Veda. Black alludes to the primordial darkness that existed before creation.

Invoking Goddess Kaalratri by doing Durga Puja endows the devotee with the devouring quality of time and the all-consuming essence. This further enables the devotee to overcome all obstacles before achieving success.

The Main Legend

When heaven was invaded by two demons called Shumbha and Nishumbha, Lord Indra and other gods sought Lord Shiva’s assistance in eliminating those demons. Later, Maa Parvati stood up and incarnated in the form of Goddess Ambika to defeat the cruel demons.

After defeating Shumbha and Nishumbha, Goddess Parvati appeared in the form of Maa Kaalratri to battle it out with Raktabija. Goddess Kaalratri killed the demon and swallowed his blood so that no more Raktabija can be produced.

Another legend claims that Devi Kaalratri was created by Goddess Chamunda (Kali). Kalraatri maa defeated the demons, Chanda and Munda, when she came riding on a donkey. It is believed that she possess the darkest night’s strength. All of the living creatures seek shelter, safety, and refuge in the lap of the Maa Chamunda at the time of final dissolution. When death arrives, the Goddess turns into Kaalratri, who devours all of the time and leaves nothing behind.

Maa Kalaratri is depicted as Goddess with abundant hair and a heavenly formed body. She has four hands, which carries a scimitar and a thunderbolt on the left. Other hands are forming Varada (blessing) and Abhaya (protecting) mudras. Devotees believe that Maa Kaalratri breathes fires when she becomes furious. She keeps the donkey as her procession.

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Wrapping Up

Maa Kaalratri represents the victory over the cruel demons. And therefore, people worship her during the 7th day of Navratri to eliminate the presence of evil spirits. Worshipping Maa Kaalratri with devotion may help you get rid of negativity, fear and delusion. Maa Kaalratri killed the demon at night, and hence she came to be known as Kaalratri, the one who kills the demons at night.