The Hundred Names of Kālī

O Devī, you are the measure and you measure. You are beyond measure and measurer. You are one in many forms. You are the form of the universe. I bow to you – Kaulavali Tantra.

Here is the text and a translation of chapter 23 of the influential Brihadnila Tantra. If there are defects in my translation, I beg the indulgence of readers.

Patala 23. Śrī Devī said: Before, O Deva, when engaged in amorous play, you mentioned the 100 names of Mahākālī. Lord, speak of this to me. Śrī Bhairava said: Well asked, Mahādevi, I will tell you that hasn’t been told before. Varārohe Sundari, you should hide it like your own yoni. [1-2]

Mohini, you who are as dear to me as life itself, I could not live for an instant without you, Parameshvari. [3]

Like sight is inherent in the sun and as ghee is inherent in milk, so I, the Nātha am everywhere present in you. [4]

Listen Devī, I will speak to you of the japa giving all knowledge. Sadāśiva is the ṛṣi, it is said; Cchanda is the metre, [5] the devatā is Bhairavī Devī, bestowing the four aims of mankind.

The application is that it gives all knowledge. [6]

Mahākali Jagadhatri (creator of the world) Jaganmata ( mother of the world) Jaganmayi (consisting of the world) Jagadamba (world mother) Jagatsara (essence of the world) Jagadanandakarini (cause of bliss in the world) [7]

Jagadvighnasini (destroyer of world obstacles) Gauri (golden one) Dukhadaridyanashini (destroyer of unhappiness and poverty) Bhairavabhavini Bhavananta Sarasvataprada (bestower of eloquence). [8]

Chaturvargaprada (giver of the four aims) Sadhvi (holy) Sarvamangalamangala (greatest fortune of all) Bhadrakali Vilakshi Kamadatri (giving desires) Kalatmika (self of kalas) [9]

Nilavani (blue Sarasvati) Mahāgaurasarvanga (greatly golden in all limbs) Sundaripara (supremely beautiful) Sarvasampatprada (giver of all prosperity) Bhimanadini (sounding terrifying) Varavarnini [10]

Vararoha Shivaruha (riding Shiva) Mahishasuradhatini Shivapujya (worshipped by Shiva) Shivaprita (loved by Shiva) Danavendraprapujita (worshipped by Danavas)[11]

Sarvavidyamayi (consisting of all vidya) Sarvasarvabhisthaphalaprada (giver of the fruit of every possible desire) Komalangi (soft of limbs) Vidhatri (creatrix) Vidhatrivaradayini (giver of boons in creation) [12]

Purnenduvadana (with a face like the full moon) Nilameghavarna (the colour of a blue rain-cloud) Kapalini

Kurukulla Viprachitta Kantachitta Madonmada (drunk with desire) [13]

Matangi (elephant lady) Madanaprita Madaghurnitalochana (eyes full of desire) Madottirna Kharparasinaramundavilasini [14]

Naramundasraja (with a necklace of men’s heads) Devī Khadgahasta (holding a cleaver) Bhayanaka (giving fear) Attahasayuta (laughing loudly) Padma (lotus) Padmaragopashobhita [15]

Karabhayaprada (hand removing fear) Kālī Kalaratrisvarupini (true form of the night of time) Svadha Svaha Vashatkara Saradindusamaprabha (as bright as the autumn moon)[16]

Sharatjyotsna (light of the autumn moon) Samhlada Viparitaratatura (addicted to taking the superior sexual role) Muktakeshi (dishevelled of hair) Cchinnajata Jatajutavilasini [17]

Sarvarajayutabhima Sarvarajoparisthata Shmashanstha (dwelling in the cremation ground) Mahānandistuta (praised by Mahānandi) Samdiptalochana [18]

Shavasanarata (addicted to the corpse asana)Nanda Siddhacharanasevita (served by Siddhacharas) Balidanapriya (fond of animal sacrifice)Garbha (the womb) Bhurbhuvasvahsvarupini (true form of Bhurbhuvahsvar)[19] Gayatri Savitri Mahānilasarasvati

Lakshmirlakshanasamyukta (showing all the signs of Lakshmi) Sarvalakshanalakshita (having every single characteristic)[20]

Vyaghracharmavrita (wearing tiger skin) Madhya Trivalivalayanchita Gandharvaihsamstutasa (praised by the Gandharvas) Inda Mahāpara (greatly supreme one) [21]

Pavitra Parama (supreme) Maya Mahāmaya Mahodaya. Maheshvari, so to you are declared the 100 celestial names [22]

Whosoever reads these at morning time for certain gains a treasure. Here in this world, he is happy and afterwards attains union with Devī. [23]

He cannot be subjugated by siddhas, aughas, all which moves and does not move, whether they move on earth, in space or in heaven. [24] The names are called ‘Boon’, Maheshani and one may give up the 1000 (names). [25] One should recite the 100 (names) Devī, the giver of the fruit of the four aims (of mankind). O Parameshani, without knowing these 100 names [26], there is no siddhi from Mahākali in this Kālī Yuga.

One who recites with devotion gains good results, listen! [27] He gains the resilts of hundreds of millions of Kalipujas. What use of more words? He will become the desired. [28]

Artwork is © Jan Bailey, 1975-2022. Translations are © Mike Magee 1975-2022.Questions or comments to mike.magee@btinternet.com

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