Mahakali Chalisa
श्री महाकाली चालीसा
Forty-verse hymn to Mahakali, the first of the Dasha Mahavidyas and the primordial Adi Shakti who devours time itself. Standing on Shiva with garland of skulls, severed head and sword in her hands, tongue extended, she is the fierce mother who slays ego, ignorance, and the demons of Raktabija and Chanda-Munda.
Significance
The Chalisa channels the terrifying-yet-tender Dakshineswar bhava made famous by Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: behind the bloodied form lies the boundless love of the universal mother. Daily recitation is said to destroy fear of death, dissolve karmic bondage, and grant the direct realisation that the fierce and the gentle are one.
When recited: Kali Chaudas (Narak Chaturdashi), Kali Puja amavasya night of Kartik, every amavasya, all nine nights of Navratri, and Tuesday-Saturday midnight sadhana
Benefits
- Destroys fear of death, ghosts, and untimely calamity
- Annihilates inner demons - lust, anger, greed, ego
- Grants protection from black magic, tantric attacks, and pret-badha
- Awakens kundalini and accelerates spiritual realisation
- Brings victory over seemingly impossible enemies and addictions
- Bestows the bhava of unconditional motherly love
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Mahakali Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय काली कलि मल हरनी, महाकाल प्रिय शुभ करनी।
श्यामा अंग दिगम्बर सोहे, मुण्डमाल गल देख मन मोहे।
खड्ग खप्पर कर शोभित माता, अभय वरद कर जग सुखदाता।
शिव हृदय पर पद धरि राजे, जिह्वा लोल त्रिभुवन में गाजे।
रक्तबीज चण्ड मुण्ड संहारी, शुम्भ निशुम्भ का मद उतारी।
दक्षिणेश्वर में रूप दिखाया, रामकृष्ण को दर्शन पाया।
Meaning
Victory to Kali, remover of the impurities of the Kali age, beloved of Mahakala and doer of all good. Your dark digambara form is resplendent; the garland of skulls at your throat enchants the mind. You hold sword and skull-bowl, yet your other hands grant fearlessness and boons to the world. Placing your foot upon Shiva's heart, your rolling tongue thunders across the three worlds. You slew Raktabija, Chanda and Munda, and crushed the arrogance of Shumbha and Nishumbha. At Dakshineswar you revealed your form and granted darshan to Ramakrishna.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: