Bhrukuti-Kutilat Tasyah (Kali Springs Forth from the Goddess's Brow)
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात्तस्या (देवी की भृकुटि से काली का प्रादुर्भाव)
Also known as: bhrukuti kutilat tasya · birth of kali saptashati · kali manifestation durga saptashati · kali karala vadana · durga saptashati chapter 7
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✦ Meaning
These celebrated verses from the seventh chapter of the Durga Saptashati describe the birth of Goddess Kali. When the demons Chanda and Munda attacked, Ambika's face darkened with wrath, and from her furrowed brow sprang forth Kali — fierce, sword and noose in hand, bearing a khatvanga staff, garlanded with skulls, clad in tiger-skin, her tongue lolling and her roar filling the skies. This is the scriptural source of Kali's iconic, terrifying form.
Origin & Story
Durga Saptashati Chapter 7 · Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana) · c. 400–600 CE (Markandeya Purana)
The demon-king Shumbha sent his generals Chanda and Munda with a fourfold army to seize the Goddess. As they advanced to capture her, Ambika's face grew dark with fury, and from the knit brow of her forehead the fierce Goddess Kali burst forth, sword and noose in hand. Kali devoured the demon hosts and beheaded Chanda and Munda, for which the Goddess named her Chamunda.
✦ As told in scripture
It is traditionally believed that the very recitation of Kali's emergence here can drive away malign forces and break spells, for the form that scattered Chanda and Munda's armies is said to manifest its protective power around the sincere devotee who calls upon her.
Complete Text with Meaning
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भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात्तस्या ललाटफलकाद्द्रुतम् । काली करालवदना विनिष्क्रान्तासिपाशिनी ॥
bhrukuṭīkuṭilāttasyā lalāṭaphalakāddrutam kālī karālavadanā viniṣkrāntāsipāśinī
Meaning:From the knit brow of her forehead there suddenly sprang forth Kali, of terrible countenance, armed with sword and noose, bearing a strange skull-topped staff (khatvanga), adorned with a garland of human heads, clad in a tiger's skin, gruesome with her shrivelled flesh, her mouth gaping wide, terrifying with her lolling tongue, with deep-sunken reddened eyes, filling the quarters of the sky with her roar.
विचित्रखट्वाङ्गधरा नरमालाविभूषणा । द्वीपिचर्मपरीधाना शुष्कमांसातिभैरवा ॥
vicitrakhaṭvāṅgadharā naramālāvibhūṣaṇā dvīpicarmaparīdhānā śuṣkamāṃsātibhairavā
अतिविस्तारवदना जिह्वाललनभीषणा । निमग्नारक्तनयना नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा ॥
ativistāravadanā jihvālalanabhīṣaṇā nimagnāraktanayanā nādāpūritadiṅmukhā
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Bhrukuti-Kutilat Tasyah (Kali Springs Forth from the Goddess's Brow)
Invokes Goddess Kali, the fiercest protective form of the Divine Mother
Recited for fearlessness and the swift destruction of grave dangers and enemies
Describes Kali's iconic form, ideal for dhyana (visualisation) during her worship
Burns away deep-rooted fears, negativity and obstacles that ordinary means cannot remove
Powerful during Navaratri, Kali Puja and on Amavasya nights
Strengthens the devotee's resolve to face and conquer the 'demons' of the mind
How to Chant Bhrukuti-Kutilat Tasyah (Kali Springs Forth from the Goddess's Brow)
Begin with the Saptashati seed mantra 'Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vichche'. Chant these dhyana verses slowly, building a vivid mental image of Kali emerging from the Goddess's brow with each line. Recited by devotees of Kali for protection and fearlessness, and as part of the seventh chapter path of the Durga Saptashati. Maintain reverence, as this is one of the most powerful descriptions of the fierce Mother.
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