Are Kali and Shiva the same? If not, what is the difference?

Question

Also, why does Kali always undress (such as in the poem: "Kali, Why are You Naked Again" by Ramprasad Sen.

Answer 1

Kali is a feminine form of the Sanskrit word "kala," meaning "time". It also means "black". Kali has therefore been translated variously as "She who is time," "She who devours time," "She who is the Mother of time," "She who is black," and "She who is black time". Kali's association with blackness stands in contrast to her consort, Shiva, whose body is covered by the white ashes of the cremation ground in which he meditates, and with which they are both associated, hence Kali's epithet 'Śmaśanâ.'

There's more information on her at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali

Answer 2

Shiva And Kali

Answer 3

Kali And Shiva

Answer 4

All the other members have already answered the question very well. I will only try to place my view from a layman's point of view.Lord Shiva is having several functions to do one among being killing. When he assumes this role he is called "KALA" or "MAHAKALA". In Ujjaini he is called Mahakala. He alone can not discharge his functions he needs energy or shakthi that is described as Kali or Mahakali.
If we see the electricity only positive energy will not light the bulb . We need negative also. Then only the light illuminates. Here the positive is Kala and negative is Kali.
Similarly if we take the story of Adam and Eve the male power is neutral but the feminine power provokes for eating the fruit.
That is why Kalidasa in a prayer states that Siva and Parvati are inseparable like a word and its meaning. We cannot get any meaning without a word and a word without meaning.
Therefore Mahakala and Mahakali are one at the same and inseparable like a word and meaning.
Then why it is presented nude with a skull garland and severed hands around the waist. This is mainly meant for seekers who want to explore the existence of this power. This is to scare away insincere seekers and only those people who can have courage and conviction will stick on to their practise without fear.

Answer 5

There's a LOT to this. Too much that I can't write it all in here about those 2, but I'll adumbrate what I can:

1. Kali's "ferociousness" isn't about "evil", her ferocious appearance is LOADED with symbolism, much of which I can't fit in here, but basically she's like any Tibetan ferocious appearing "deity" to spook the ego into cooling off, causing you to be mindful of your actions at all times, etc.

2. Kali is Shiva's Shakti

3. Shiva is the god who is symbolic of the destruction and reconstruction of the universe, VERY basically... again he too is FULL of symbolism, depending on what aspect of him you study... he's chaos/order, and so much more. His dance of destruction and creation is one of the most recognizable statues around...

I suggest if you're really interested in reading about these 2, hit the bookstore or www.hinduismtoday.com or a Shaivite website, for people who worship Shiva.

I'm sorry I can't give out much more, or it'd take a HUGE tome of writing to tamp it all down... hope this helps a little... about the poem... never read it. Here's a little trivial pursuit snippet though: Many Bengalis thought that Mother Teresa (yes, the Catholic nun) was the goddess Kali herself because she took such great care of the dead and dying. There are other interesting tidbits about this goddess, again too many to write here, but some would cause Catholics and Christians to rip out their hair and scream "wormwood!" so I leave it to you to find out the "goodies" if you're interested.

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Answer 6

Kali is another name for Parvathi - wife of Lord Siva. I never heard the poem of Mr. Ramprasad Sen but I think She may undress whenever she want to kill a Rakshasha. By saying "kali, why are you naked again" the poet was asking whom you are going to kill.

Answer 7

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In the Puranas, Shiva is the one with form and attributes (Saguna) and it resembles a superior personality elevated to the position of 'God' through stories. It is the same case with all other deities in the puranas. In Tantrism, Shiva is Consciousness or existence itself which is always united with energy of the Universe. That union is one and not two. Only for the sake of understanding consciousness, energies and its various manifestations in detail, certain forms of Mahakaal, Bhairava, Adinath, Tara, Kali etc are described. These forms and descriptions help one meditate and when meditation is achieved, the forms are dropped at higher levels of Saadhna. One cannot attain to Samadhi with any particular form in mind. The mind has to drop everything to attain to the state of samadhi.

Answer 8

Kali's a warrior Goddess and Siva's a creator God. The only thing they have in common is the pantheon.

There are many who say Kali is only a composite of the warrior aspects of several Gods, that is, Kali is the personification of the Light's true ferocity.

Answer 9

Kali is an expression of the protective anger of Durga as she fought the demons that bring nnegativity to life. Kali is the dark goddess, the one who cuts off the heads of evil thoughts as they sprout. Shiva is the silent embodiment of the transcendent. The ash on his body is the thin veneer of matter that hides the void from our view. He is the silence, she one aspect of the activity.

Answer 10

Kali and Shiva is not same. Shiva is male and Kali is female. They get married on 31december 2000. Now they have baby boy name ganesh like elephant. They are happy couple.