Dakshina Kali is a motherly form of Ma Kali. The name is such because her right (Dakshin) feet is placed on Shiv (Nakuleshwar). If the left leg is placed, then she is called Bama Kali, which is an occult form of the devi. The most famous Dakshina Kali temple is the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple in Kolkata. The temple is established by Rani Rasmoni and Thakur Sri Ramkrishna Paramhangsadev himself used to be the worshipper here. In fact, Sri Ramkrishna did many sadhana in this place and there are many lores and histories attached to this famous temple. Situated on the banks of holy Ganges River, the temple has a very peaceful environment. Many Bengalis consider the temple as a pilgrimage and everyday thousands of visitors come to pay regards. Apart from the main Kali temple, where the Dakshineshwari Kali resides inside the garbha-griha, there are 12 Shiv temples and Radha-Krishna temple inside the temple premise. It is said that the shila of devi came floating from Kamakhya through the Brahmaputra and Ganga rivers. After that, the Dakshineshwar temple was established.
Sadhaks tell that Kali is similar to mind- restless. Kali is a ‘sagun’ energy. Whereas, Shiv is like a resting body and ‘nirgun’. Just like a mind controls the body, Kali controls Shiv. This is because Shakti belongs to Shaktimaan. Dakshina Kali has Abhay Mudra, Barada Mudra, blooded Kharga and a severed demon head in her hands. Thus, she is the giver of courage, boons, knowledge and awareness.
The japa mantra of Dakshina Kali is-
Om Kring Kring Kring Hoong Hoong Hring Hring Mahakalbhairava Sahita Srimat Dakshinakalikayei Namoh.
As you can see, the mantra includes both Ma Kali and Shiv lying beneath her. In order to achieve Ma Dakshinakali, one should chant this mantra 32 Lakh times, preferably inside a shmashaan (Hindu crematorium). This is because shmashaan is Kali’s favourite place. Here, humans let go off of all their shat-ripu and thus a crematorium ground is considered very holy. As Kali dislikes ego and other paap, she prefers such places. Kali, as a mother, always want humans to achieve the param-brahm, that’s why she left the confort of Kailash and came to shmashaan ground. However, apart from the above-mentioned usual meaning of shmashaan, there is another meaning- if one can rise above shat-ripu, that person’s body becomes a shmashaan and he can do Kali Sadhana anywhere even at home. Shanidev worships Dakshina Kali, Dakshina Kali worships Yama and Yama worships Brahma.
