Sri Kalika Swaroopa Stuti

This hymn by Sri Jñānanetrapāda praises the supreme, formless, infinite nature of Goddess Kāli. She is beyond all dualities, beyond existence and non-existence, beyond all limitations. Though formless, She manifests as the entire universe—three worlds shining as Her own expression. Her pure consciousness is stainless, indivisible, and self-luminous.

Her will (icchā) becomes the very source of creation. She is the origin of manifestation and dissolution, yet remains untouched. Even time (kāla), perceived as fearsome and destructive, is Her playful expression of restraint and grace. She divides time and cycles yet remains its sovereign. Bhairava Himself acts only through Her command; thus She is the Mother of all worlds.

Her radiance pervades the realms of the sun, moon, and fire. Her essential form is the supreme, pure light. Creation, sustenance, dissolution—threefold cosmic activities—arise from Her single essence, and the further fourfold states of emergence and rest also belong to Her divine play. She is the root of all transformations of the universe, the cause of its appearance and disappearance.

She is the primal awareness that cuts through the distinctions of real and unreal. The universe—diverse, wondrous, moving and unmoving—appears like waves in the ocean of Her serene, luminous nature. Her form is fullness, overflowing with the glory of the cosmos, yet inwardly tranquil. Devouring the three worlds as Mahākāla, yet appearing as the subtle, slender Mother, She remains the beauty of paradox.

She transcends all three forms yet resides in them; She is beyond experience yet the source of all experience. Her abode is supreme, ever-radiant, limitless. She shines through the fivefold forms of seasonal energies and pours forth divine streams that uplift and liberate. Her holy seat encompasses earth, directions, space, celestial beings, and all forms of knowledge.

During cosmic dissolution, Her form alone remains, beyond all dualities of existence and non-existence. The form seen in the great cremation ground is the same truth that pervades all three worlds. With Her grace, the universe itself attains the same nondual purity.

Shiva concludes the hymn, affirming that this praise, emerging from deep samādhi, brings auspiciousness to the devotee and to the entire universe.

Benefits
    •    Deep realization of the nondual nature of Kāli
    •    Dissolution of fear, ignorance, and duality
    •    Expanded consciousness and inner illumination
    •    Experience of peace, bliss, and spiritual clarity
    •    Awakening of unity with Shiva, the supreme state
    •    Universal auspiciousness and spiritual upliftment