The Hundred Names of Kali

Adyakali Svarupa Stotra


part of the Mahanirvana Tantra, ca. 1600, India


The following text, also known as The Hundred Names of Kali, is part of the Mahanirvana Tantra. It introduces the reader to numerous aspects and manifestations of Kali, one of the foremost goddesses venerated within many schools and sects of Indian religion.


The Sanskrit names are given in the exact succession as they appear in the text, and in which they are recited. Next to those, you're provided with a compilation from the three translations mentioned at the end of this page.


Kalakarshini Conqueror and/or Destroyer of Time


Karali Tremendously Terrific one


Kalyani Bestower of Peace and Happiness


Kalavati Possessor of all the (64) Arts


Kamala Who enjoys and is herself enjoyed


Kalidarpaghni Destructress of Pride


Kapardisha-kripanvita Kind and Devoted to Him with the Matted Hair (Shiva)


Kalika Devourer of him who Devours (Shiva), the goddess of the Kalika Purana


Kalamata Mother and Destructress of Time


Kalanala-samadyuti Brilliant as the Fires of the final Dissolution


Kapardini Lover of Him with the Matted Hair (Shiva)


Karalasya Thou of Formidable Countenance with Teeth like Fangs


Karunamrita-sagara Ocean of the Nectar of Compassion


Kripamayi Truly Merciful


Kripadhara Vessel of Compassion


Kripapara Whose Mercy is without Limit


Kripagama Attainable Only by Her Compassion


Krishanu Thou Art Fire


Kapila Tawny-colored One


Krishna Black of hue as is Krishna


Krishnananda-vivardhini Who Increases Joy and Bliss of Krishna


Kalaratri Night of Darkness


Kamarupa Thou Who Art the Form of Desire


Kamapasa-vimocini Liberator from the Bonds of Desire


Kadambini Dark as a bank of rain-clouds


Kaladhara Bearer of the Crescent Moon and all Female Energy


Kalikalmasa-nasini Destructress of Evil


Kumari-pujanaprita Pleased by the Worship of Virgin-Girls


Kumari-pujakalaya Refuge of all Virgin-Worshippers


Kumari-bhojanananda Pleased by the Feasts and Gifts to the Virgins


Kumari-rupadharini Who is in the Form of a Virgin


Kadamba-vanasamcara Wanderer in the Kadamba-Forest


Kadamba-pushpasantosa Taking Delight in the Kadamba-Flowers


Kadamba-vanavasini Who lives in the Kadamba-Forest


Kadamba-pushpamalini Wearing a Garland of Kadamba-Flowers


Kishori Thou Who Art Ever Youthful


Kalakanthi With a soft and Deep-throated Voice


Kalanada-ninadini Sweet as the Chakravaka-Bird


Kadambari-panarata Who drinks the Kadamba-Flower Wine


Kadambari-priya Excited and Pleased with the Kadamba-Wine


Kapalapatra-nirata Drinking from a Skull-Cup


Kamkalamalya-dharini Wearing a Garland of Bones


Kamalasana-santushta Lover of the Lotus Flower


Kamalasana-vasini Delighted to be Seated within the Lotus


Kamalalaya-madhyastha Abiding in the Center of the Lotus


Kamalamoda-modini Pleased and Intoxicated by the Scent of Lotus


Kalahamsa-gati Moving and Swaying as a Swan


Klaibyanasini Destroying all Fears


Kamarupini Assuming any Form She Desires


Kamarupa-kritavasa Who Lives in the place of Sexual Desire


Kamapitha-vilasini Playing at the Kamakhya Pitha


Kamaniya Beautiful One


Kalpalata Creeper who Provides every Desire


Kamaniya-vibhushana Beauty is Thy Ornament


Kamaniya-gunaradhya Adorable Image of all Tenderness


Komalamgi Delicate and Tender-Bodied


Krishodari Slender of Waist


Karanamrita-santosha Pleased with the Nectar of Purified Wine


Karanananda-siddhida Giver of Success to those Who Enjoy that Wine


Karanananda-japeshta Deity of those who Worship with Wine


Karanarcana-harshita Glad to be Worshipped with Purified Wine


Karanarnava-sammagma Immersed in an Ocean of Wine


Karanavrata-palini Protecting those Who Perform Ritual with Wine


Kasturi-saurabhamoda Gladdened by the Scent of Musk


Kasturi-tilakojjvala Luminous One with a Mark of Musk on Her Forehead


Kasturi-pujanarata Excited by Worship with Musk


Kasturi-pujakapriya Loving those Who Worship Her with Musk


Kasturi-dahajanani Mother of those who Burn Musk as Incense


Kasturim-rigatoshini Who is fond of the Musk-Deer


Kasturi-bhojanaprita Who is pleased to Eat Musk of the Musk-Deer


Karpuramoda-modita Whom the Scent of Camphor Gladdens


Karpura-malabharana Adorned with Garlands of Camphor


Karpura-candanakshita Body Painted with Camphor and Sandal-Paste


Karpura-karanahlada Pleased with Purified Wine flavored with Camphor


Karpuramrita-payini Drinker of Nectar Flavored with Camphor


Karpura-sagarasnata Bathing in the Ocean of Camphor


Karpura-sagaralaya At Home in the Ocean of Camphor


Kurchabija-japaprita Pleased by Worship with the mantra 'hum'


Kurchajapa-parayayana Threatening and Conquering Demons with 'hum'


Kulina Embodiment of the Kula teachings


Kaulika-radhya Adored by Kula Tantrics


Kaulika-priyakarini Benefactress of the Kula


Kulacara Observant of the Kulacara


Kantukini Joyous One


Kulamarga-pradarshini Revealing the Kula-Path to Seekers


Kasishvari Queen of the Sacred City (Benares, i.e. Varanasi)


Kashtahartri Allayer of all Suffering


Kasishvara-dayini Giver of Blessings to the Lord of Varanasi (Shiva)


Kasishvara-kritamoda Giver of Pleasures to the Lord of Varanasi


Kasishvara-manorama Beloved of Shiva Who Overwhelms His Mind


Kalamanjira-carana Whose Toe-bells Sound Sweet Melodies


Kvanatkanci-vibhusana Whose Girdle-bells Tinkle Ever so Sweet


Kancanadri-kritagara Residing in the Golden Mountain (Meru)


Kancanacala-kaumudi Shining Moon-Beam on the Mountain of Gold


Kamabija-japananda Excited to Hear 'klim' (mantra of sexual union)


Kamabija-svarupini Embodiment of the mantra 'klim'


Kumatighni Destructress of all Evil Inclinations


Kulinarti-nasini Destructress of the Kula's Afflictions


Kulakamini Lady of the Kula


Kalakantaka-ghatini Destructress of the Fear of Death


Literature




Those readers who'd like to read the original translations from which the above list was prepared, should turn to the following three publications.


The least of these is John Woodroffe's version in Hymns to the Goddess (1913), followed by his own revised translation (1927) in The Mahanirvana Tantra.


Although these editions have the benefit of including the 100 names in Sanskrit transcription, they cannot compare - in readability and honesty of the translation - with the hymn as published by Philip Rawson in The Art of Tantra (p.131).