Maa Adya Kali — she who wears no jewels, she who has no murti

Maa Adya Kali — she who wears no jewels, she who has no murti, she who stands naked in her purest truth. She who wears the mund mala, a garland made of skulls. She who adorns herself with the severed hands of demons, asuras, and adharmis. She who is the deepest black, called Shyamasundari. She who loves the cremation ground — this is my Mother, Maa Kali ♥.

My Maa Adya Kali is so graceful that she allows her devotees to worship her in whatever form their heart desires. When she keeps her right leg on Shiva, she is Adya Kali. When she keeps her left leg on Shiva, she becomes Dakshineshwar Kali.

In the other nine Mahavidyas, one can still see my Maa’s presence. When she takes on different clothes or body colors, her form changes:

• In blue or green, she is Tara, the savior who carries her devotees through life’s toughest challenges.

• In bright red, she is Tripura Sundari, the very essence of beauty, bliss, and creation.

• In yellow or golden tones, she becomes Bhuvaneshwari, the gentle cosmic mother who holds the entire universe in her care.

• In red, holding her own severed head, she is Chinnamasta, revealing the truth of sacrifice and the balance of life and death.

• In deep blood-red, she is Bhairavi, the fierce force of discipline and transformation.

• In white, she becomes Dhumavati, the wise and quiet widow who teaches detachment and reveals life’s final truth.

• In bright yellow, she is Baglamukhi, the one who halts evil in its tracks and protects her children from harm.

• In green, she is Matangi, the goddess of music, art, and divine speech.

• In soft pinks or reddish-pinks, surrounded by elephants and seated on a lotus, she is Kamala, the bringer of prosperity, beauty, and abundance.

One can worship Maa in any form — but the ultimate form, which contains the energy of all forms, is Maa Adya Kali ☺.