Posted on: 12 September 2012

The goddess Kali, shown with red skin and four arms, is shown seated on a lotus throne resting on the prostrate body of the god Shiva. The setting is in a palace-like interior, surrounded by a landscape - ca.1825
Opaque watercolour on paper
Punjab, India

Copyright: © V&A Images


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This isn't the goddess Kali. This is the goddess Sodasi. Tripurasundari.

Arjun is correct. The goddess Sodasi is seen as a sixteen year old woman and as an embodiment of the sixteen types of desire. The number 16 - in Indian thought - is the number representing perfection and totality, and is also associated with other goddesses. In the Sodasi Tantra, the goddess is identified with Tripurasundari, the "radiant light in the three eyes of Shiva", i.e. she is the very source of his wisdom, soul and consciousness. Tripura, the shortened name of this goddess, is one of the five aspects of Mahamaya. Sodasi's body is of a deep red color and she is often depicted in ecstatic intercourse, sitting astride the god Mahakala (Skt., Great Time), her throne being carried by several other important male deities such as Brahma, Indra and Rudra.

jai chidagni kundasambhoota

the Goddess Kali depiction is ussually black in color..