Stories:
Once there were two demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha, who invaded devaloka and defeated the demigods. Indra the ruler of the gods, along with the demigods went to the Himalayas to get Lord Shiva's help in retrieving their abode. Together, they prayed to Goddess Parvati (Durga). Parvati heard their prayer while she was bathing, so she created another goddess Chandi (Ambika) to assist the gods by vanquishing the demons. Chanda and Munda were two demon generals sent by Shumbha and Nishumbha. When they came to battle her, Goddess Chandi created a dark goddess, Kali (in some accounts, called Kaalratri). Kali/Kaalratri killed them, thereby acquiring the name Chamunda.
Thereupon, a demon named Raktabija arrived. Raktabija had the boon that if any drop of blood of his fell onto the ground, a clone of him would be created. When Kaalratri attacked on him, his spilt blood gave rise to several clones of him. As such, it became impossible to defeat him. So while battling, Kaalratri furious at this, drank his blood to prevent it from falling down, eventually killing Raktabija and helping goddess Chandi to kill his commanders Shumbha and Nishumbha.
Another legend says that Goddess Chamunda (Kali) was creator of Devi Kaalratri. Riding a powerful donkey, Kalraatri chased the demons Chanda and Munda and brought them to Kali after catching and incarcerating them. Then these demons were killed by goddess Chamunda.
Yet another legend recounts that, there was a demon named Durgasur who tried to attack Kailash, the abode of Parvati (Durga) in the absence of Shiva. Parvati got to know about this and created Kaalratri, instructing her to warn Durgasur against an attack. Durgasur's guards however tried to capture Kaalratri when she turned up as a messenger. Kaalratri then assumed a gigantic form and delivered the warning to him. Subsequently, when Durgasur came to invade Kailash, Parvati battled him and killed him gaining the name Durga. Here Kaalratri serves as an agent who gives the message and warning from Parvati to Durgasur.
The complexion of Kalaratri is that of the darkest of nights with bountiful hair and a heavenly shaped form. She has four hands - the left two hands hold a scimitar and a thunderbolt and the right two are in the varada (blessing) and abhaya (protecting) mudras. She wears a necklace that shines like the moon. Kaalratri has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning. Flames appear through her nostrils when she inhales or exhales. Her mount is the donkey, sometimes considered as a corpse. Blue, red and white colours should be used to wear on this day.
Favourite Flower - Night blooming jasmine (रात की रानी)
Mantra -
ॐ देवी कालरात्र्यै नमः॥
Om Devi Kalaratryai Namah॥
Prarthana -
एकवेणी जपाकर्णपूरा नग्ना खरास्थिता।
लम्बोष्ठी कर्णिकाकर्णी तैलाभ्यक्त शरीरिणी॥
वामपादोल्लसल्लोह लताकण्टकभूषणा।
वर्धन मूर्धध्वजा कृष्णा कालरात्रिर्भयङ्करी॥
Ekaveni Japakarnapura Nagna Kharasthita।
Lamboshthi Karnikakarni Tailabhyakta Sharirini॥
Vamapadollasalloha Latakantakabhushana।
Vardhana Murdhadhwaja Krishna Kalaratrirbhayankari॥
Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Kalaratri Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Dhyana -
करालवन्दना घोरां मुक्तकेशी चतुर्भुजाम्।
कालरात्रिम् करालिंका दिव्याम् विद्युतमाला विभूषिताम्॥
दिव्यम् लौहवज्र खड्ग वामोघोर्ध्व कराम्बुजाम्।
अभयम् वरदाम् चैव दक्षिणोध्वाघः पार्णिकाम् मम्॥
महामेघ प्रभाम् श्यामाम् तक्षा चैव गर्दभारूढ़ा।
घोरदंश कारालास्यां पीनोन्नत पयोधराम्॥
सुख पप्रसन्न वदना स्मेरान्न सरोरूहाम्।
एवम् सचियन्तयेत् कालरात्रिम् सर्वकाम् समृध्दिदाम्॥
Karalavandana Ghoram Muktakeshi Chaturbhujam।
Kalaratrim Karalimka Divyam Vidyutamala Vibhushitam॥
Divyam Lauhavajra Khadga Vamoghordhva Karambujam।
Abhayam Varadam Chaiva Dakshinodhvaghah Parnikam Mam॥
Mahamegha Prabham Shyamam Taksha Chaiva Gardabharudha।
Ghoradamsha Karalasyam Pinonnata Payodharam॥
Sukha Prasanna Vadana Smeranna Saroruham।
Evam Sachiyantayet Kalaratrim Sarvakam Samriddhidam॥
Stotra -
हीं कालरात्रि श्रीं कराली च क्लीं कल्याणी कलावती।
कालमाता कलिदर्पध्नी कमदीश कुपान्विता॥
कामबीजजपान्दा कमबीजस्वरूपिणी।
कुमतिघ्नी कुलीनर्तिनाशिनी कुल कामिनी॥
क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं मन्त्र्वर्णेन कालकण्टकघातिनी।
कृपामयी कृपाधारा कृपापारा कृपागमा॥
Him Kalaratri Shrim Karali Cha Klim Kalyani Kalawati।
Kalamata Kalidarpadhni Kamadisha Kupanvita॥
Kamabijajapanda Kamabijaswarupini।
Kumatighni Kulinartinashini Kula Kamini॥
Klim Hrim Shrim Mantrvarnena Kalakantakaghatini।
Kripamayi Kripadhara Kripapara Kripagama॥
Kavacha -
ऊँ क्लीं मे हृदयम् पातु पादौ श्रीकालरात्रि।
ललाटे सततम् पातु तुष्टग्रह निवारिणी॥
रसनाम् पातु कौमारी, भैरवी चक्षुषोर्भम।
कटौ पृष्ठे महेशानी, कर्णोशङ्करभामिनी॥
वर्जितानी तु स्थानाभि यानि च कवचेन हि।
तानि सर्वाणि मे देवीसततंपातु स्तम्भिनी॥
Om Klim Me Hridayam Patu Padau Shrikalaratri।
Lalate Satatam Patu Tushtagraha Nivarini॥
Rasanam Patu Kaumari, Bhairavi Chakshushorbhama।
Katau Prishthe Maheshani, Karnoshankarabhamini॥
Varjitani Tu Sthanabhi Yani Cha Kavachena Hi।
Tani Sarvani Me Devisatatampatu Stambhini॥
Benefits:
The appearance of Goddess Kaalratri can be seen as bearing doom for evil-doers. But she always bears good fruits for her devotees and should avoid fear when faced with her, for she removes the darkness of worry from life of such devotees. Her worship on the seventh day of Navratri is given especially high importance by Yogis and Sadhakas.
