Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1753

c7.1753

KĀLARĀTRI. The Devatā presiding on the night on the eve of death. The fierce aspect of the Devatā is described in the Mahābhārata as follows :— Coal-black in colour, with swollen mouth and eyes and wearing red garlands and clothings—thus appeared the woman (Devatā) presiding over the death-night. With the fierce cord in her hand she drags away the souls of the dead. (Sauptika Parva, Chapter 9).