Goddess Kali: From Birth to Bloodthirst

Demon King Shumbh was mesmerized by reports of Goddess Durga's beauty. He wished to marry her and sent two demon commanders, Chand and Mund, to bring her to him. When Chand and Mund confronted Durga, her face darkened with anger. The black Goddess Kali (Kali means "black"), wearing a garland of human heads and a saree made of tiger skin, sprang from Durga's forehead.

Goddess Kali fought Chand and Mund and finally beheaded the two demons. She presented their severed heads to Goddess Durga, who was pleased.

"These are not merely the heads of two demons," said Durga to Kali. "They are the heads of sin and atrocity. By killing these destructive demons, you have saved humankind from their tyranny. You will henceforth be known as Chamunda, meaning 'slayer of Chand and Mund.'"

"Thank you. I will add their heads to my garland," replied Kali.

Shumbh then sent Mahishasur's brother, Raktbeej (the reincarnation of Rambh), to fight Kali. Raktbeej had received a boon from Lord Shiv that a new version of himself would be born from each drop of his blood that fell on the battlefield. (That was how Raktbeej got his name, which means "blood seed.") Raktbeej and Kali fought a fierce battle, but each time Raktbeej was wounded and his blood fell on the battlefield, new versions of himself sprang from the ground.

Durga then told Kali to drink the blood flowing from Raktbeej's body before it hit the ground. So Durga attacked the various versions of Raktbeej while Kali drank their blood. In this way, the two Goddesses killed all the versions of Raktbeej.

Even after Raktbeej's death, Kali's thirst for blood was not satisfied, and she went on a killing spree. To stop her, Lord Shiv lay in her path. When Kali realized she had accidentally stepped on her husband, she stuck her tongue out in embarrassment. Her fury was calmed, and she begged Shiv for forgiveness.