Bhrukuti-Kutilat Tasyah (Kali Springs Forth from the Goddess's Brow) — Word-by-Word Meaning
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात्तस्या (देवी की भृकुटि से काली का प्रादुर्भाव)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात्
bhrukuṭī-kuṭilāt
From the knit, frowning brow
तस्याः ललाटफलकात्
tasyāḥ lalāṭa-phalakāt
From the surface of her forehead
द्रुतम्
drutam
Suddenly, swiftly
काली करालवदना
kālī karāla-vadanā
Kali, of terrible (fierce) countenance
विनिष्क्रान्ता असिपाशिनी
viniṣkrāntā asi-pāśinī
Sprang forth, armed with sword and noose
विचित्रखट्वाङ्गधरा
vicitra-khaṭvāṅga-dharā
Bearing a strange skull-topped staff (khatvanga)
नरमालाविभूषणा
nara-mālā-vibhūṣaṇā
Adorned with a garland of human heads
द्वीपिचर्मपरीधाना
dvīpi-carma-parīdhānā
Clad in a tiger's skin
शुष्कमांसातिभैरवा
śuṣka-māṃsāti-bhairavā
Gruesome with her shrivelled, emaciated flesh
अतिविस्तारवदना
ati-vistāra-vadanā
With a mouth gaping exceedingly wide
जिह्वाललनभीषणा
jihvā-lalana-bhīṣaṇā
Terrifying with her lolling tongue
निमग्नारक्तनयना
nimagnā-rakta-nayanā
With deep-sunken, reddened eyes
नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा
nādāpūrita-diṅmukhā
Filling the quarters of the sky with her roar
Complete Translation
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.
Origin & History
Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 7
Author: Sage Markandeya (Markandeya Purana)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Goddess Kali born according to these verses?▼
When the demons Chanda and Munda attacked, Ambika became fiercely angry and her face turned black as ink. From her furrowed, frowning brow Kali suddenly sprang forth, fierce of countenance, bearing sword, noose and skull-staff, to destroy the demon armies.
Why is Kali shown with such a terrifying form?▼
Kali's garland of heads, tiger-skin, lolling tongue and sunken red eyes embody the all-consuming power that annihilates evil and even devours time itself. Her fierce appearance is protective: it terrifies the wicked while sheltering the devotee.
Which chapter of the Durga Saptashati is this from?▼
These are verses 5 to 7 of the seventh chapter (Chanda-Munda-Vadha) of the Durga Saptashati, part of the Uttama Charita presided over by the Goddess Mahasaraswati.
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