Devi Mahakali and The Kirat Kamakhya by Sadhguru

Sadhguru says the world moves because Mahakali wills it; she is the impulse behind all creation. Mahakali’s Kirat-Kamakshya form represents raw, untamed energy beyond human comprehension.

Article | Shree Siddhashram | March 15, 2025

Sadhguru: Devi Mahakali is one of the most profound manifestations of the eternal cosmic energy, representing the force of will and desire in all beings. Many perceive Devi Kamakhya as merely the yoni-pith of Goddess Parvati, but in reality, the essence of Kamakhya extends far beyond a physical location. Devi Mahakali is the true Kamakhya, the source of all desires and the cosmic will. She is the Kirat Kamakhya, the primordial force that shaped existence. In Satya Yuga, she was the divine consort of Lord Shiva, signifying the eternal bond between time (Mahakal) and its dynamic aspect (Mahakali). The word ‘Kamakhya’ does not solely refer to a sacred geographical site but encapsulates the profound spiritual truth of divine desire that governs creation.

In Satya Yuga, Mahakali was Shiva's eternal consort, the union of time and its dynamic force.

The True Nature of Devi Mahakali

Devi Mahakali is the embodiment of time itself. She is not just a goddess of destruction but also the ultimate foundation of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The scriptures describe her as, "Kali Karalavadana, Sarvabhute Iccharupa," meaning she is the terrible, awe-inspiring force that dwells in every being as the essence of willpower and desire. In every sentient being, the drive to act, to aspire, and to evolve arises from Mahakali’s divine force.

As the cosmic force of time, Devi Mahakali is beyond all dualities. She is dark and formidable, yet nurturing and protective. Her terrifying form, adorned with a garland of skulls and wielding weapons, symbolizes the transcendence of the ego and the impermanence of life. She is the great emancipator who liberates beings from the cycle of karma and illusion (Maya), revealing the truth of existence.

Kamakhya is not just a place; she is the indestructible force of will that manifests reality.

Kamakhya: Beyond the Yoni-Pith

A common misconception prevails that Kamakhya represents only the yoni-pith of Parvati. While the Kamakhya temple is indeed one of the most significant Shakti Peeths, the deeper meaning of the name Kamakhya extends far beyond. The word 'Kamakhya' is derived from ‘Kama’ (desire) and ‘Akshya’ (indestructible or eternal). Thus, Kamakhya is the indestructible force of desire, the eternal source of willpower that drives creation.

Kamakhya, in her true essence, is the cosmic feminine energy that governs the universe. She is the Shakti behind all existence, the primordial force that fuels the dynamic motion of creation. The misconception that Kamakhya is solely the yoni-pith of Parvati arises from a superficial understanding of the esoteric traditions of Tantra. In reality, Devi Mahakali herself is the true Kamakhya, for she is the embodiment of the will that manifests reality.

Kamakhya is not just a place; she is the indestructible force of will that manifests reality.

Devi Mahakali as the Consort of Shiva in Satya Yuga

In Satya Yuga, Devi Mahakali was the eternal consort of Lord Shiva. While Shiva represents the eternal, formless consciousness, Mahakali is the dynamic force that enlivens existence. Together, they symbolize the union of stillness and motion, eternity and change, Shiva and Shakti.

Mahakal (the great time) and Mahakali (the time-force) are inseparable. Shiva, in his aspect as Mahakal, governs the infinite, unchanging reality, while Mahakali, his consort, manifests time, space, and causality. This eternal relationship is why Mahakali is considered the true consort of Shiva in Satya Yuga.

Desire is not an obstacle; it is the force that propels the soul toward liberation.

Devi Mahakali and the Power of Desire

Desire is often perceived as an obstacle in spiritual evolution, yet it is also the force that propels the soul towards liberation. The scriptures emphasize that Devi Mahakali is the source of all desires, but she is also the one who can liberate beings from their entanglements. She is both the giver and the remover of desires.

Every action in this universe stems from a fundamental desire—whether it is the desire for knowledge, survival, or self-realization. Mahakali governs these forces, guiding beings through the intricate dance of karma. When a soul seeks the higher truth, she removes the illusions that bind it, leading it toward moksha (liberation). However, if one remains attached to transient desires, Mahakali enforces the cosmic law, ensuring the cycle of birth and rebirth continues.

Kamakhya is not just a yoni-pith; she is the eternal will that governs the cosmos.

The Kirat Kamakshya Form of Mahakali

The term ‘Kirat’ means ‘one who dwells in the wilderness,’ signifying an untamed, primal force beyond human comprehension. In her Kirat form, Devi Mahakali represents the unrestrained energy of nature, the raw power that governs both creation and destruction.

Mahakali’s Kirat Kamakshya form is one of her most enigmatic aspects. This form signifies her dominance over the unknown, the wild, and the mysterious aspects of existence. She is the primal force that moves in the dark forests, beyond civilization, beyond rituals and structured worship. In this form, she embodies the ultimate freedom—unbound by rules, traditions, or societal constructs. She is the force that beckons true seekers to transcend the limitations of their conditioned existence.

True liberation comes when Mahakali removes the illusions binding the soul.

Mahakali as the Source of All Actions

The Vedic scriptures and Tantric texts affirm that Devi Mahakali is the driving force behind all actions. Every movement, every thought, every moment of existence is governed by her energy. She is the Adya Shakti (primordial power) who set the cosmos into motion.

In the human experience, she manifests as:

1. Physical Actions – The movement of the body, the performance of daily duties, and the survival instinct.

2. Mental Actions – Thoughts, emotions, and aspirations.

3. Spiritual Aspirations – The desire for self-realization and the longing for divine union.

Mahakali, as Kamakhya, is the source of all these dimensions of action. She is the ultimate cause behind every impulse that arises in the universe.

The Role of Devi Mahakali in Spiritual Liberation

While Mahakali governs desires, she also leads the seeker beyond them. For those who are lost in the web of material existence, she appears as the fierce destroyer. For those who seek truth, she is the compassionate mother who grants ultimate wisdom.

Tantric sadhana (spiritual practice) dedicated to Mahakali involves embracing her both as the creator of desires and the liberator from them. The adept must recognize that desire, when aligned with higher truth, leads to transcendence. Mahakali does not deny desire—she purifies and transforms it.

Conclusion

Devi Mahakali is not merely a goddess of destruction; she is the very essence of time, desire, and cosmic will. She is the eternal Kamakhya, the source of all creation and dissolution. She is the consort of Shiva in Satya Yuga, the force that moves the immovable, the power that transcends existence.

The understanding of Kamakhya as just a physical yoni-pith limits the vastness of her divine presence. She is the cosmic will that governs reality, the primal desire that fuels the universe, and the ultimate force that leads beings towards liberation. Mahakali - She is also the Kirat Kamakshya, the untamed, boundless power that holds the key to existence itself.