South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c10.s2.35

c10.s2.35

² Mahākālī is described in the Chandikalpa as having ten faces, ten legs and ten arms in which are held all weapons of war. In this form she is stated to have been invoked by Brahmā to kill the demons Madhu and Kaitabha who were attempting to smash Vishnu in his sleep (see above, p. 52). The Kāraṇāgama mentions an eight-armed Kālī or Mahākālī among the Durgās. Kālikā is a goddess supposed to be the wife of Nairrita (below, p. 243).