Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
The 108 names of Kali revealed by Bhairava — nearly every one beginning with the sacred syllable “Ka,” Kali’s own seed sound — from Kali, Kapalini and Kanta to Krishnavallabha, with the promise that nothing is impossible for one who recites them.
Traditional hymn, spoken by Bhairava to the Goddess
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Kali Shatanama Stotram
Son of Kali · Power of Kali
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
शतनाम प्रवक्ष्यामि कालिकाया वरानने ।
Shatanama Pravakshyami Kalikaya Varanane
śatanāma pravakṣyāmi kālikāyā varānane
I will tell you the hundred names of Kalika, O lovely one,
यस्य प्रपठनाद्वाग्मी सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ॥ १ ॥
Yasya Prapathanadvagmi Sarvatra Vijayi Bhavet
yasya prapaṭhanādvāgmī sarvatra vijayī bhavet
by reciting which one becomes eloquent and victorious everywhere.
ॐ काली कपालिनी कान्ता कामदा कामसुन्दरी ।
Om Kali Kapalini Kanta Kamada Kamasundari
oṃ kālī kapālinī kāntā kāmadā kāmasundarī
Om — Kali, Kapalini the skull-bearer, Kanta the beloved, Kamada the wish-giver, Kamasundari the beautiful,
कालरात्रिः कालिका च कालभैरवपूजिता ॥ २ ॥
Kalaratrih Kalika Cha Kalabhairavapujita
kālarātriḥ kālikā ca kālabhairavapūjitā
Kalaratri the night of time, Kalika, worshipped by Kalabhairava;
कुरुकुल्ला कामिनी च कमनीयस्वभाविनी ।
Kurukulla Kamini Cha Kamaniyasvabhavini
kurukullā kāminī ca kamanīyasvabhāvinī
Kurukulla, Kamini the loving, of lovely nature;
कुलीना कुलकर्त्री च कुलवर्त्मप्रकाशिनी ॥ ३ ॥
Kulina Kulakartri Cha Kulavartmaprakashini
kulīnā kulakartrī ca kulavartmaprakāśinī
Kulina of noble lineage, maker of the clan, who lights the path of the Kula way;
कस्तूरीरसनीला च काम्या कामस्वरूपिणी ।
Kasturirasanila Cha Kamya Kamasvarupini
kastūrīrasanīlā ca kāmyā kāmasvarūpiṇī
dark-blue like musk, the desirable, whose nature is desire itself,
ककारवर्णनिलया कामधेनुः करालिका ॥ ४ ॥
Kakaravarnanilaya Kamadhenuh Karalika
kakāravarṇanilayā kāmadhenuḥ karālikā
who dwells in the letter Ka, the wish-granting cow, the formidable;
कुलकान्ता करालास्या कामार्ता च कलावती ।
Kulakanta Karalasya Kamarta Cha Kalavati
kulakāntā karālāsyā kāmārtā ca kalāvatī
beloved of the Kula, terrible-faced, full of longing, rich in arts,
कृशोदरी च कामाख्या कौमारी कुलपालिनी ॥ ५ ॥
Krishodari Cha Kamakhya Kaumari Kulapalini
kṛśodarī ca kāmākhyā kaumārī kulapālinī
slender-waisted, Kamakhya, the youthful, protector of the clan;
कुलजा कुलकन्या च कुलहा कुलपूजिता ।
Kulaja Kulakanya Cha Kulaha Kulapujita
kulajā kulakanyā ca kulahā kulapūjitā
born of the Kula, maiden of the Kula, destroyer of the Kula, worshipped by the Kula;
कामेश्वरी कामकान्ता कुञ्जरेश्वरगामिनी ॥ ६ ॥
Kameshvari Kamakanta Kunjareshvaragamini
kāmeśvarī kāmakāntā kuñjareśvaragāminī
queen of desire, beloved of Kama, who walks like the king of elephants;
कामदात्री कामहर्त्री कृष्णा चैव कपर्दिनी ।
Kamadatri Kamahartri Krishna Chaiva Kapardini
kāmadātrī kāmahartrī kṛṣṇā caiva kapardinī
giver and taker of desire, the dark one, with matted locks;
कुमुदा कृष्णदेहा च कालिन्दी कुलपूजिता ॥ ७ ॥
Kumuda Krishnadeha Cha Kalindi Kulapujita
kumudā kṛṣṇadehā ca kālindī kulapūjitā
Kumuda the lily, dark-bodied, Kalindi, worshipped by the Kula;
काश्यपी कृष्णमाता च कुलिशाङ्गी कला तथा ।
Kashyapi Krishnamata Cha Kulishangi Kala Tatha
kāśyapī kṛṣṇamātā ca kuliśāṅgī kalā tathā
Kashyapi, mother of Krishna, of diamond-like limbs, the subtle art;
क्रींरूपा कुलगम्या च कमला कृष्णपूजिता ॥ ८ ॥
Krimrupa Kulagamya Cha Kamala Krishnapujita
krīṃrūpā kulagamyā ca kamalā kṛṣṇapūjitā
whose form is Krim, reached through the Kula way, Kamala, worshipped by Krishna;
कृशाङ्गी किन्नरी कर्त्री कलकण्ठी च कार्तिकी ।
Krishangi Kinnari Kartri Kalakanthi Cha Kartiki
kṛśāṅgī kinnarī kartrī kalakaṇṭhī ca kārtikī
slender-limbed, the kinnari, the creator, sweet-voiced, Kartiki;
कम्बुकण्ठी कौलिनी च कुमुदा कामजीविनी ॥ ९ ॥
Kambukanthi Kaulini Cha Kumuda Kamajivini
kambukaṇṭhī kaulinī ca kumudā kāmajīvinī
conch-throated, Kaulini, Kumuda, who lives by love;
कुलस्त्री कीर्त्तिका कृत्या कीर्तिश्च कुलपालिका ।
Kulastri Kirttika Kritya Kirtishcha Kulapalika
kulastrī kīrttikā kṛtyā kīrtiśca kulapālikā
woman of the Kula, the famous, Kritya, glory itself, protector of the Kula;
कामदेवकला कल्पलता कामाङ्गवर्धिनी ॥ १० ॥
Kamadevakala Kalpalata Kamangavardhini
kāmadevakalā kalpalatā kāmāṅgavardhinī
the art of the god of love, the wish-fulfilling vine, who increases love;
कुन्ता च कुमुदप्रीता कदम्बकुसुमोत्सुका ।
Kunta Cha Kumudaprita Kadambakusumotsuka
kuntā ca kumudaprītā kadambakusumotsukā
Kunta, fond of lilies, who delights in kadamba flowers;
कादम्बिनी कमलिनी कृष्णानन्दप्रदायिनी ॥ ११ ॥
Kadambini Kamalini Krishnanandapradayini
kādambinī kamalinī kṛṣṇānandapradāyinī
the rain cloud, the lotus pool, giver of bliss to Krishna;
कुमारीपूजनरता कुमारीगणशोभिता ।
Kumaripujanarata Kumariganashobhita
kumārīpūjanaratā kumārīgaṇaśobhitā
who delights in the worship of young girls, adorned by groups of maidens,
कुमारीरञ्जनरता कुमारीव्रतधारिणी ॥ १२ ॥
Kumariranjanarata Kumarivratadharini
kumārīrañjanaratā kumārīvratadhāriṇī
who delights in pleasing young girls, who keeps the vow of the maiden;
कङ्काली कमनीया च कामशास्त्रविशारदा ।
Kankali Kamaniya Cha Kamashastravisharada
kaṅkālī kamanīyā ca kāmaśāstraviśāradā
Kankali the skeletal, the lovely, learned in the science of love,
कपालखट्वाङ्गधरा कालभैरवरूपिणी ॥ १३ ॥
Kapalakhatvangadhara Kalabhairavarupini
kapālakhaṭvāṅgadharā kālabhairavarūpiṇī
holding skull and skull-staff, in the form of Kalabhairava;
कोटरी कोटराक्षी च काशी कैलासवासिनी ।
Kotari Kotarakshi Cha Kashi Kailasavasini
koṭarī koṭarākṣī ca kāśī kailāsavāsinī
Kotari, with hollow eyes, Kashi, who dwells on Kailash;
कात्यायनी कार्यकरी काव्यशास्त्रप्रमोदिनी ॥ १४ ॥
Katyayani Karyakari Kavyashastrapramodini
kātyāyanī kāryakarī kāvyaśāstrapramodinī
Katyayani, who accomplishes all tasks, who delights in poetry and learning;
कामाकर्षणरूपा च कामपीठनिवासिनी ।
Kamakarshanarupa Cha Kamapithanivasini
kāmākarṣaṇarūpā ca kāmapīṭhanivāsinī
in the form of desire’s attraction, who dwells in the seat of desire,
कङ्किनी काकिनी क्रीडा कुत्सिता कलहप्रिया ॥ १५ ॥
Kankini Kakini Krida Kutsita Kalahapriya
kaṅkinī kākinī krīḍā kutsitā kalahapriyā
Kankini, Kakini, play itself, the rough one, fond of strife;
कुण्डगोलोद्भवप्राणा कौशिकी कीर्तिवर्धिनी ।
Kundagolodbhavaprana Kaushiki Kirtivardhini
kuṇḍagolodbhavaprāṇā kauśikī kīrtivardhinī
whose life is the secret rites of the Kula, Kaushiki, increaser of fame;
कुम्भस्तनी कटाक्षा च काव्या कोकनदप्रिया ॥ १६ ॥
Kumbhastani Kataksha Cha Kavya Kokanadapriya
kumbhastanī kaṭākṣā ca kāvyā kokanadapriyā
full-breasted, with sidelong glance, poetry itself, fond of red lotuses;
कान्तारवासिनी कान्तिः कठिना कृष्णवल्लभा ।
Kantaravasini Kantih Kathina Krishnavallabha
kāntāravāsinī kāntiḥ kaṭhinā kṛṣṇavallabhā
who dwells in the forest, radiance itself, the stern one, beloved of Krishna.
इति ते कथितं देवि गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं परम् ॥ १७ ॥
Iti Te Kathitam Devi Guhyadguhyataram Param
iti te kathitaṃ devi guhyādguhyataraṃ param
Thus, O Goddess, I have told you this, the most secret of secrets.
प्रपठेद्य इदं नित्यं कालीनामशताष्टकम् ।
Prapathedya Idam Nityam Kalinamashatashtakam
prapaṭhedya idaṃ nityaṃ kālīnāmaśatāṣṭakam
Whoever recites these hundred and eight names of Kali every day —
त्रिषु लोकेषु देवेशि तस्यासाध्यं न विद्यते ॥ १८ ॥
Trishu Lokeshu Deveshi Tasyasadhyam Na Vidyate
triṣu lokeṣu deveśi tasyāsādhyaṃ na vidyate
for them, O Queen of the gods, nothing in the three worlds is impossible.
प्रातःकाले च मध्याह्ने सायाह्ने च सदा निशि ।
Pratahkale Cha Madhyahne Sayahne Cha Sada Nishi
prātaḥkāle ca madhyāhne sāyāhne ca sadā niśi
Morning, noon and evening, and always at night,
यः पठेत्परया भक्त्या कालीनामशताष्टकम् ॥ १९ ॥
Yah Pathetparaya Bhaktya Kalinamashatashtakam
yaḥ paṭhetparayā bhaktyā kālīnāmaśatāṣṭakam
whoever recites the 108 names of Kali with supreme devotion —
कालिका तस्य गेहे च संस्थानं कुरुते सदा ।
Kalika Tasya Gehe Cha Samsthanam Kurute Sada
kālikā tasya gehe ca saṃsthānaṃ kurute sadā
Kalika makes her home in their house forever. In an empty house or a cremation ground, in the wilderness or in water,
वह्निमध्ये च सङ्ग्रामे तथा प्राणस्य संशये ।
Vahnimadhye Cha Sangrame Tatha Pranasya Samshaye
vahnimadhye ca saṅgrāme tathā prāṇasya saṃśaye
in fire, in battle, or when life itself is in danger,
शताष्टकं जपन्मन्त्री लभते क्षेममुत्तमम् ॥ २१ ॥
Shatashtakam Japanmantri Labhate Kshemamuttamam
śatāṣṭakaṃ japanmantrī labhate kṣemamuttamam
the one who chants the 108 names gains the highest safety.
कालीं संस्थाप्य विधिवत् स्तुत्वा नामशताष्टकैः ।
Kalim Samsthapya Vidhivat Stutva Namashatashtakaih
kālīṃ saṃsthāpya vidhivat stutvā nāmaśatāṣṭakaiḥ
Installing Kali properly and praising her with the 108 names,
साधकस्सिद्धिमाप्नोति कालिकायाः प्रसादतः ॥ २२ ॥
Sadhakassiddhimapnoti Kalikayah Prasadatah
sādhakassiddhimāpnoti kālikāyāḥ prasādataḥ
the seeker attains perfection by the grace of Kalika.
In this hymn Bhairava, Shiva’s fierce form, tells the Goddess: “I will tell you the hundred names of Kalika, by reading which one becomes eloquent and victorious everywhere.”
Almost every name begins with ka — the first letter of Kali’s name and of her seed mantra Krim. Some describe her fierce side (Kapalini the skull-bearer, Karala the formidable, Kankali, Kalaratri); others her beauty and tenderness (Kanta the beloved, Kamasundari, Kamaniya, Kambukanthi with a conch-like throat); others her role as the power within everything (Kamadhenu the wish-cow, Kalavati, Kalpalata the wish-vine, Kirti, Kanti).
The closing verses say that the Goddess makes her home in the house of whoever recites the names morning, noon, evening and night, and that the names protect in empty houses, cremation grounds, wilderness, water, fire, battle and danger to life.
In Tantra each letter of the alphabet is a form of the Goddess. Ka, the first consonant, is especially sacred to Kali — it is the first letter of her name, of Kama (desire) and of Krim, her seed mantra.
A hymn of names that all begin with Ka is therefore a kind of japa of her seed sound.
When to chant
How many times
Once.
Light a lamp before Kali and offer red hibiscus if possible.
Chant Bhairava’s opening verse, then the names.
Offer a flower at each name if you are doing archana.
Close with the promise verses and a bow.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
kapālinī
ka-paa-li-nee — “skull-bearer.”
kāmasundarī
kaa-ma-sun-da-ree.
kālabhairava
kaa-la-bhai-ra-va.
Why do almost all the names start with “Ka”?
Ka is the first letter of Kali’s name and of her seed mantra Krim, so the hymn works like a repetition of her sacred sound.
Who speaks the hymn?
Bhairava, the fierce form of Shiva, speaking to the Goddess.
What are its benefits?
The hymn promises eloquence and victory, that nothing in the three worlds is impossible for the reciter, and protection in every dangerous place.