The Age Of Kali

Then the monk took Mahendra into another chamber. There he saw a beautiful image of the Goddess as Bearer of the earth, perfectly formed and decorated with every ornament.
“Who is she?” asked Mahendra.
“The mother-as-she-was”, replied the monk
“Who is that?” said Mahendra.
“She who subdued the wild beasts such as the elephant and lion underfoot and set up her lotus throne in their dwelling place. She was happy and beautiful, adorned with every ornament, radiant as the risen sun and full of majesty. Prostrate yourself before her”.
After Mahendra had devoutly prostrated himself before the motherland in the form of nurturing Goddess, the monk pointed to a dark tunnel and said, “Follow me”. He went on ahead, Mahendra following apprehensively close behind.
They reached a dark chamber, in the depths of the earth, lit somehow by a faint light.
There in the dim light he could see the image of Kali.
The monk said, “Look, this is the mother-as-she-is”.
“Kali!” said Mahendra fearfully.
“Yes, Kali”, said the monk.

“Blackened and shrouded in darkness. She has been robbed of everything; that is why she is naked. And because the whole land is burning-ground, she is garlanded with skulls. And she is crushing her own Shiv (good) under foot! Alas dear Mother!”

- Anandamath, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

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