Tales of the Goddess - Kalaratri

The form of the Goddess worshiped on the seventh day of Navaratri is Kalaratri (dark night).

This form is closely related to Kali, and sometimes the names are used interchangeably. Kalaratri is dark-complexioned and rides a donkey. She is of fearsome aspect and is four-armed, with two of her hands holding a sword and an iron hook. Her other two hands are in abhayamudra (gesture of blessing and protection) and varadamudra (gesture of granting boons). The ferocious countenance of Kalaratri veils her auspicious Grace. Thus, her other name is Shubhankari (Bestower of Auspiciousness).

It is important to grasp the significance of Kalaratri, as the symbolism of her name and form is more easily misconstrued than others. Ratri means night. As Kushmanda, She is the light that generates life. As Kalaratri, She is the primordial darkness before the light of Creation.

One meaning of kala is black; the other is time. Time is the framework within which Creation begins and ends. As Kalaratri, She is both all-consuming Time that is the Ultimate Destroyer of Life, as well that which is the Death of Time. She is beyond the reach of Time, and She confers upon her devotees the gift of immortality, meaning, mukti (liberation).

As the Grantor of Mukti, human life’s highest goal, she is associated with the sahasrara (crown) chakra.

Among the Navagrahas, she governs Saturn. The sacred offering to Kalaratri is jaggery.