Why Does Kali Stand on Shiva?

 After the destruction of Raktabija, Kali did not immediately return to her former state. The battle had awakened a terrible power within her, and she continued to move across the battlefield in a fierce and destructive dance. Her appearance was terrifying, and the force of her dance seemed to have no end.

The gods watched her, but they were unable to stop her. Kali continued her dance, absorbed in the terrible energy that had been released during the battle. Nothing seemed to bring her back from this state.

Then Shiva came before her.

According to the story, Shiva lay down upon the ground in the path of Kali. As she continued her dance, she stepped upon him. At that moment she recognized whom she had stepped upon, and the sight of Shiva caused her to stop.

This is the familiar image of Kali standing upon the body of Shiva. The Goddess, still carrying the power of the battle within her, has come to a halt because Shiva lies beneath her feet.

The story gives a striking ending to the battle with the demons. Kali, who had appeared in a form of terrible power, does not destroy Shiva. Instead, upon seeing him, she becomes aware of what she has done and her dance comes to an end.

The image of Kali standing upon Shiva has therefore remained one of the most powerful representations of the Goddess. Her dark and terrible form, her wild hair, her extended tongue and the body of Shiva beneath her all belong to the story of the moment when the violence of the battle finally comes to an end.

Kali's foot upon Shiva marks the instant in which her terrible movement is stopped. The battlefield has become quiet, and the Goddess no longer continues her destructive dance.

Source & Note

This article is based on Elizabeth U. Harding’s Kali: The Black Goddess of Dakshineswar (Nicolas-Hays, 1993). The material has been edited and adapted for this publication.

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