Bhadrakali
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| Bhadrakali | |
|---|---|
| Devanagari | भद्रकालि |
| Tamil script | பத்ரகாளி |
Bhadrakāli (Tamil: பத்ரகாளி, Telugu: భద్రకాళి, Malayalam: ഭദ്രകാളി, Kannada: ಭದ್ರಕಾಳಿ, Sanskrit: भद्रकाली), is one of the forms of the Great Goddess (Devi) mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Sanskrit, the word Bhadra means "blessed", "auspicious", "fair", "beautiful", "good", "fortunate", "prosperous".[1]
There are atleast three traditional versions regarding the origin-incarnations or avatar of Bhadrakali. The first version is from Devi Mahatmyam and basically a part of Shaktism, and it was during the battle between Raktabija and Shakti, according to this tradition. The second is associated with the Daksha and Dakshayaga, from the more Shaivism related tradition, and glimpses of this version can be seen in some Puranas. The third and the equally most famous one is her divine birth as the daughter of Shiva to liberate the world from demon Daruka. This version makes her the sister of Virabhadra; not a consort. This daughter of Shiva tradition is associated with Kalarippayattu martial arts and highly popular in Kerala, an Indian state located in the south.
Martial arts and Bhadrakali
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Bhadrakali is the popular form of Devi worshipped in Kerala. In Kerala she is seen as the auspicious and fortunate form of Kali who protects the good and the practitioners of Kalarippayattu, a traditional martial arts form. In Malabar, it is believed that all the victories of Thacholi Othenan and other martial artists were due to the blessings of Bhadrakali of the Lokanarkavu Temple, also known as 'The Shaolin Temple of Malayalees'. Most traditional villages in Kerala have own Kalari, the ancient martial arts schools and local temples dedicated to Bhadrakali associated with them. Among Tamils, Bhadrakali is equally important as the patron deity of traditional martial arts and a guardian of all law abiding citizen.
According to her devotees, the puranic events described in Markandeya Purana associated with Bhadrakali and demon Daruka, whom she defeated in battle in order to liberate the universe from the evil, actually took place in Kerala, near Madayi in the Kannur District.[2] And, most Bhadrakali temples in Kerala also celebrate this during the festivals in the traditional manner and this Goddess is worshiped as the daughter of Lord Shiva, who created her from the third eye on the forehead to defeat the demon. As per the Markandeya purana, worship of this daughter of Lord Shiva spiritually purifies the devotee and grants liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[3] She protects the honor of women and bestows all spiritual knowledge.
Among the people of neighboring states, especially in Tamil Nadu, this form of Shakti is known as 'Malayala Bhagavathy' or 'Malayala Bhadrakali', who provides protection to her devotees irrespective of caste and religion. However, most famous sacred forms worshiped are from the Devimahatmya version and the important festivals include Navaratri and the Goddess is also known as Chamunda.
The worship is also associated with 'Matrika tradition' as well as 'Ten Mahavidya tradition'. It is mostly considered part of the more broader version of Shaktism inclusive of all other forms of the divinity or Shakti and much different from Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Southern Travancore area of Kerala, especially in Thiruvananthapuram City, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu speaking communities worship a form of Mahakali as 'Ujjaini Mahakali', and considers Emperor Vikramaditya as their first teacher in this spiritual tradition, who established this tradition in the south.
Different names, monastic beliefs and Tantric traditions
In other parts of India, the Tantric name ' Kali' or 'Mahakali' is generally more popular as the consort of Shiva in the form of Rudra or Mahakala, an avatar and Bhadrakali is identified from the Devimahatmya tradition as Durga's daughter who helped her during the battle with Raktabija. Some misinterpret that she is the consort of Virabhadra ignoring the contexts behind the different versions of origin. However, most sources state that she is the sister of Virabhadra, who was himself born of the wrath of Rudra, and she the consort of a form of Mahakala or Bhairava. The deeply Tantric influenced traditions mostly consider 'Kali' as the consort of Paramatma or an avatar of Bhairava and other non-monastic interpretations or misinterpretations varies from person to person as per the affiliation of the individual belief and they range from Virabhadra often wrongly in related to the context in question and to the formless Paramatma almost rightly in an esoteric sense. But, Virabhadrakala can be the correct name in connection with the Goddess' name. It basically depends upon which version and region one come across in the process to understand and in the modern era, the most accepted ones among Hindus are that of Sri Ramakrishna, Aurobindo, Mata Amritanandamayi and other famous teachers and it is believed that the esoteric meanings and Shakti are important than different names and forms.
However, as a divine teacher who gives the supreme knowledge regarding Hinduism, many teachers considers the Atma or soul(self-within) as the consort of Bhadrakali as the nature and supreme divinity are always in a state of eternal union according to Hinduism, and the different names and forms of whatever manifested in the universe is only of secondary importance due to Maya or illusion.[4]
Brother of Bhadrakali and the Goddess as Shiva's daughter
In Kerala, it's famous that she called Virabhadra her "brother" and refused to be treated by him when attacked by the smallpox deity- Vasoorimala- on her face- saying that a brother must not touch the face of his sister. Thus, mild smallpox marks are sometimes visible on her face in some pictures and statues of Kerala origin[5][6]
More
According to Vayu Purana and the Mahabharata, she came into being by Devi's wrath, when Daksha insulted Shiva, during the great Ashvamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice).[5][7]
According to Tantra Rahasya, she arose from the North (Uttaramnaya) face (Amnayas) of Shiva, which is blue in color and with three eyes.[8]
It is believed that Bhadrakāli was a local deity that was assimilated into the mainstream Hinduism, particularly into Shaiva mythology. She is represented with three eyes, and four, twelve or eighteen hands. She carries a number of weapons, with flames flowing from her head, and a small tusk protruding from her mouth.
Family deity of martial communities
Some communities, like the Kodavas and Nairs, worship this deity as family deity. They worship certain weapons at their temples which they believe to be the weapons used by the goddess Bhadrakali. Bhadrakali is also the tutelary deity of the Nadar community of Tamil Nadu.[9]
Kakatiya tradition of Telangana
The Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal worshiped Bhadrakali as their protecting Goddess and the famous Shakti Pitha of Warangal is also associated with this tradition. Almost all villages in Andhra Pradesh, in one form or another, worship Bhadrakali and inherits both Kakatiya tradition as well as Vikramaditya tradition along with more ancient traditions.
Atharvana Bhadrakali
This form of Bhadrakali, who is also known as Prathyangira Devi, has become popular in Tamil Nadu during the last decade. She is propitiated to ward off the effects of black magic.
Kalidasa and Vikramaditya
According to legends, famous Indian Sanskrit poet Kalidasa was made so as per the divine will of Goddess Bhadrakali. It is also famous in India that Emperor Vikramaditya and his brother Bhatti were also ardent devotees of Goddess Bhadrakali, whose blessings resulted in all the success showered on the emperor. He also did help establishing small wayside temples and devotee-travelers' prayer centers dedicated to Bhadrakali in many parts in southern India, especially in Tamil Nadu and the devotional traditions focused around these small temples exist even today and this can be witnessed by the travelers.[10]
Folk Art ritual of Kerala and Bhadrakali
Kerala has a tradition of folk artist rituals associated with worship of Devi in the form of Bhadrakali. Though the deity is often referred to as Kali, it is the Bhadrakali form.
These rituals are performed in places of worship called "Kavu" (roughly translated as grove) or in small temples. Besides the general welfare of the village, these rituals aim at warding off of such calamities like smallpox and other epidemic diseases. The ritual themes generally revolve around the triumph of Bhadrakali over the demon Daruka and other evil characters.
The dance forms are:
- Theyyam
- Theeyattu
- Patayani
- Poothanumthirayum
- Mudiyettu
- Kuthiyottam
- Kettukazcha
Priests of Bhadrakali temples
The Ezhavathy are a purohit community who serve as priests in all of the Bhadrakali temples in Kerala.
Famous Bhadrakali temples
- The ancient Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh. Bhadrakali (Maha Kali Mata) was the principal deity of the Hindu Kakatiya kingdom of Warangal (Oragallu or Ekashilanagaram) that ruled most of Andhra Pradesh during that period. Rituals and animal (and human, by some accounts) sacrifices on a large scale were performed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Bhadrakali before the Kakatiya warriors went off for battle. As per the writings on the temple wall this temple is believed to be constructed by the King Pulakesi II of Chalukya dynasty around 625 A.D
- Madayi Thiruvarkkattu Bhagavati temple at Payangadi, Kannur Dt, Kerala is the first and foremost Bhadrakali Temple at a place believed to be the fortress of Darukasura. Bhadrakali beheaded Daruka here. The Shakteya Sampradaya pooja is well known here. It is done by Bhattarakas (Pdiraras) who are migrant priests from Kashmir and Bengal. The idol of Bhadrakali is around 6 feet tall and is portrayed in the form of slaying Daruka.
- Kodungallur badrakali temple, thrissur
- Thirumandhamkunnu temple at Angadippuram, Kerala
- Manapullikavu Bhagavathy Temple at East Yakkara, Palakkad, Kerala
- Pathirakalipuram Badrakaliyamman Temple at Pathirakalipuram Near Theni, Tamil Nadu
- Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple at Kodungallur, Kerala
- Bhadrakali Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
- Chettikulangara Devi Temple, near Mavelikkara, Kerala
- Panayannarkavu, near Mavelikkara, Kerala
- Kadinamkulam Padickavilakom Bharanicadu Sree Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala
- Pattupurakkavu Bhagavathi temple, Pandalam
- Maha Kali in Maha Varahi Temple, Sowripalayam, Coimbatore
- Sarkkara Bhadrakali Temple, in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala.
- Malayalappuzha, in Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
- Paramekkavu in Thrissur.
- Chittoor, Palakkad.
- Mannadi, Adoor.
- Pisharikavu, Kozhikode.
- Pallippurathu Kavu, Kottayam, Kerala.
- Another temple of Bhadrakali is found at a place called Bajna at a distance of 36 km from Ratlam city in Malwa region. This Bhadrakali temple is of the period of Parmara rulers and known as Garhkhankhai mataji. This temple is situated in dense forested area of the valley at the sangam of Karan river and Mahi river. Raja Bhoj constructed this temple. This place is also recognized as shaktipitha in India. The excavations at this site has produced rare idols of Shiva in yoga pose, Lakshmi, Gajasursanhar, Surya and Nataraja. The world famous 'Tripurasundari ma' temple at a distance of 60 km from this place is situated at village Talwada in Banswara district in Rajasthan. An inscription of 1540 AD found here reveals that this temple was constructed prior to the rule of Kanishka. Some people[who?] believe it to be constructed before 3rd century AD. There was a very ancient place here known as 'Garhpoli' which is called as 'Umarai' at present. Excavations in 1982 at this place have produced idols of Shiva with Parvati on his thigh. Ganesha and Kartikeya are seated on both sides.[11]
- Bhadrakali Temple at Bhadran, Gujarat.
- Bhadrakali Temple in Gokarna Karnataka. This deity is said to be the protector of Gokarna, and is a part of the Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna complex.
- Bhadrakali Temple in Kurushetra, Haryana is one of the oldest temple where Shreekrishna and Balram had their Mundan ceremony
- Bhadrakali Temple in Bhadrak,is one one of the oldest shakti shrine of Odisha.The name of this ancient town derived from the name of goddess Bhadrakali.
- Bhagwati Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth Ashram, Rajaldesar, Churu, Rajasthan.
- Bhadrakali Temple at Itkhori, Chatra district, Jharkhand[12] Bhadrakali Itkhori.jpg
- Shri Mayura Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Bhadrakali Temple in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan
- Shree Devi Bhadrakali Temple in Revandi north of Malvan, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
- Pathirakali Amman Temple, Trincomalee, is on Konesar Road, near Swami Rock (Konamalai), home of Koneswaram temple
- Tamil ruins of Anuradhapura, 9th century Bhadrakali temple discovered by H.C.P. Bell
- Bhadrakali Devi Sameta Sri Veerabhadraswamy Temple, Jade Mayasandra, Tumkur Dist, Karnataka
References
- ^ "A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary". Dsal.uchicago.edu. 2002-06-01. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
- ^ Maha Kshethrangalude Munnil, D. C. Books, Kerala
- ^ Markandeya Purana
- ^ Upanishads
- ^ a b the Horse-worship of the Prajapati Daksha The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896], Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. p. 317. “I am known by the name of Virabhadra’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess.”
- ^ Purana
- ^ Vishnu Purana SACRIFICE OF DAKSHA (From the Vayu Purana.) The Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840. p. 62, "In former times, Daksha commenced a holy sacrifice on the side of Himaván, at the sacred spot Gangadwara, frequented by the Rishis. The gods, desirous of assisting at this solemn rite, came, with Indra at their head, to Mahadeva, and intimated their purpose; and having received his permission, departed in their splendid chariots to Gangadwára, as tradition reports.” 62:2 The Linga (Purana) is more precise, calling it Kanakhala, which is the village still called Kankhal, near Haridwar. p. 68 I am called Virabhadra, the issue of the wrath of Rudra. Bhadrakálí also, who has sprung from the anger of Devi…
- ^ Shakti and Shâkta by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe), [1918], Chapter Six Shakti and Shakta. “4) The face in the North is blue in color and with three eyes. By this face, I revealed the Devis, Dakshinakalika, Mahakali, Guhyakah, Smashanakalika, Bhadrakali, Ekajata, Ugratara, Taritni, Katyayani, Chhinnamasta, Nilasarasvati, Durga, Jayadurga, Navadurga, Vashuli, Dhumavati, Vishalakshi, Gauri, Bagalamukhi, Pratyangira, Matangi, Mahishamardini, their rites and Mantras.”
- ^ Robert L. Hardgrave (1969). The Nadars of Tamilnad: The Political Culture of a Community in Change. University of California Press. p. 38. ISBN 81-7304-701-4.
- ^ Ujjaini Mahakali Ammanin Varalaru, Mahatmyam
- ^ Amit Nigam: Ratlam ki Tripura sundari, Democratic World, 28 December 2006
- ^ maabhadrakali.org
External links
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
- Maha Kshethrangalude Munnil, D. C. Books, Kerala
