Compact devotional set

108 Names of Maa Kali with Meanings

Statue of Maa Adya Mahakali with a trident, skull garland, and red hibiscus flowers
Maa Adya Mahakali — devotional image used on this site.

The 108 names of Maa Kali are a compact set used for daily japa, study, and remembrance. This page presents 108 names drawn from the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name Kali Sahasranama on this site, with Devanagari, a common English spelling, and the English meaning of each name.

Why 108 names?

One hundred and eight is a traditional count in Hindu practice and appears across mala beads, mantra counts, and short stotra sets. A 108-name list makes the Sahasranama approachable: it is short enough to recite in a single sitting, yet broad enough to touch the main forms and qualities of the Goddess.

This particular list is honest about its source. Rather than presenting an anonymous "108 names" list, it takes names 1–108 of the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama in order. The complete text continues to 1,072 names, and every name has its own reference page with alternate spellings and a longer note.

Difference between 108, 1,008 and 1,072 names: read the explanation of the three counts →

The 108 names with meanings

Each name links to its full reference page, where you can see the Devanagari form, IAST transliteration, alternate spellings, and the longer English elaboration.

108 names of Maa Kali, in Sahasranama order (names 1–108 of 1,072).
# Name Meaning
1 Shmashana Kalika The Dark-bodied Goddess of the Cremation Ground, the Power of Death and Dissolution.
2 Kali The Black Goddess, Ruler of Time.
3 Bhadrakali The All-auspicious Dark Mother.
4 Kapalini She who bears the skull, showing Her transcendence over mortality and the cycle of creation.
5 Guhya Kali The hidden and secret Dark Goddess.
6 Mahakali The Great Dark Mother, beautiful and compassionate to devotees, and terrifying to their enemies.
7 Kurukulla-Virodhini The destroyer of opposition, especially the one who grants siddhis and protects those who attain them.
8 Kalika The affectionate or diminutive form of Kali, the Dark One, signifying her tender yet potent presence.
9 Kalaratri Cha She who is the Dark Night of Time, signifying profound dissolution and the ultimate reality beyond all manifestation.
10 Mahakala Nitambini She who rests upon Mahakala, the great Lord of Time.
11 Kala Bhairava Bharya Cha The consort of Kala Bhairava.
12 Kula Vartma Prakashini The Illuminator of the path of the spiritual lineage, revealing the essence of Kaula tradition.
13 Kamada The Granter of all desires.
14 Kamini The lovely and desired Goddess, the one who becomes the focus of divine love and devotion.
15 Kamya The One who holds all desire and aspiration within herself.
16 Kamaniya Svabhavini One whose very nature is loveliness and beauty.
17 Kasturi Rasa Liptangi Her body is smeared with the essence of musk.
18 Kunjareshvara Gamini She who walks with the majestic gait of the Lord of Elephants, symbolizing power and grace.
19 Kakara Varna Sarvangi She whose entire body bears the color of the letter Ka, signifying Time and Ultimate Reality.
20 Kamini Kama Sundari The Beautiful One who awakens desire in Kāma (the God of Love) and who is Herself the embodiment of all desires.
21 Kamarta The Passionate One, inflamed with divine desire to destroy evil.
22 Kamarupacha She who can assume any form at will, whether to protect devotees or destroy evil.
23 Kamadhenu The Wish-Fulfilling Cow, bestowing all aspirations.
24 Kala-Vati The One who comprises and embodies all Kālās (portions or phases of the Moon).
25 Kanta The Beloved One, charming and radiant.
26 Kama Svarupa Cha The Embodiment of Desire itself, and the Granter of Desires.
27 Kamakhya The famed and supreme Red Goddess who abides in the sacred Yoni seat of Assam and fulfills desires.
28 Kula Palini The Protectress of the family, tradition, and spiritual lineage.
29 Kulina Dwelling in the Family, the Noble One.
30 Kulavatyamba The Mother of the Kula, or the Lineage of Devotees.
31 Durga The Inaccessible and Invincible Mother, the Fortress that Protects.
32 Durgati Nashini She who destroys all misfortune and affliction.
33 Kaumari The youthful and potent aspect of the Divine Mother, embodying the energy of Skanda (Kartikeya).
34 Kulaja Born of Noble Lineage and the Remover of the three worldly fevers.
35 Krishna The all-attractive Dark One who draws all creation back unto herself.
36 Krishna Deha Her body bears the dark hue of Kriishhna.
37 Krishodari The dark-bellied Goddess whose depths hold the entire universe.
38 Krishangi The dark-limbed Mother whose every limb reveals the depth of the primordial void.
39 Kulishangi Cha She whose body is like a thunderbolt, indestructible and charged with irresistible power.
40 Krin-Kari The One whose sound sets action in motion.
41 Kamala The Lotus-born Goddess, representing wealth, prosperity, and spiritual purity.
42 Kala The One who measures out time to all beings, and is Death itself.
43 Karalasya Possessing a frightful countenance.
44 Karali Cha And the one with an open mouth and projecting fangs, whose nature is terrifying.
45 Kula Kantaparajita The invincible Mother, the radiant ornament of all auspicious families.
46 Ugra The Fierce and Terrifying One, embodying intense, unbridled power.
47 Ugraprabha The Fiercely Radiant One, whose splendor is overwhelming and awe-inspiring.
48 Dipta The Radiant One, Aglow with Divine Splendor.
49 Vipra-Chitta The Mind of a Brahmin, as the enlightened and awakened consciousness.
50 Mahabala Possessing immeasurable strength and power.
51 Nila Ghana The Dark-bellied Goddess, who resembles a rain cloud.
52 Balaka Cha The Child-like One, of tender age and pure heart.
53 Matra The Ultimate Measure and Foundation of all Existence and Consciousness.
54 Mudramitasita She Whose Smile is a Mudrā.
55 Brahmi The creative Power or Shakti of Brahma.
56 Narayani The Power and Energy of Lord Narayana (Vishnu), Sustainer of the Universe.
57 Bhadra The Auspicious One, granting beneficence and well-being.
58 Subhadra The deeply auspicious and beautiful One, the gracious Mother who brings blessing and well-being.
59 Bhakta Vatsala The loving and motherly Protector of Devi's devotees.
60 Maheshvari Cha The Great Goddess, the supreme Empress.
61 Chamunda The Slayer of the demons Chanda and Munda.
62 Varahi The Boar-faced Goddess, the feminine power of Vishnu's Varaha avatar, who protects the earth and destroys demonic forces.
63 Nara-Simhika The feminine divine power of the Man-Lion incarnation, fierce and unyielding in protection.
64 Vajrangi Whose limbs are as hard and resilient as a thunderbolt.
65 Vajra Kankali She whose body is hard as a thunderbolt, the Vajra-bodied Kali.
66 Nri-Munda Sragvini Wearing a garland of human heads.
67 Shiva The auspicious, pure, and beneficent primal Power.
68 Malini Adorned with garlands, especially skull-garlands, signifying Her mastery over death.
69 Naramundali She who is adorned with a garland of human skulls.
70 Galat Rudhira Bhushana Adorned with trickling blood, symbolizing Her fierce and life-sustaining power.
71 Rakta Chandana Siktangi Her body is smeared with red sandalwood paste.
72 Sinduraruna Mastaka Her forehead is adorned with the brilliant red vermillion of victory and auspiciousness.
73 Ghora Rupa The Fierce and Terrifying One, whose form fills the unrighteous with awe and fear.
74 Ghoradanshtra She who has terrible fangs.
75 Ghoraghoratara She who is more terrifying than the most terrifying, yet also not terrifying.
76 Shubha The auspicious One, radiant with goodness.
77 Mahadanshtra The Great-Fanged One, whose fearsome teeth reveal Her power to consume creation and bring all things to dissolution.
78 Mahamaya The Great Enchantress, whose divine illusion creates and pervades the cosmos.
79 Sudanti Having beautiful and radiant teeth, symbolizing purity and formidable power.
80 Yuga Dantura The One whose teeth mark the end of the Yuga, signifying ultimate destruction.
81 Su-Lochana Possessing Beautiful Eyes.
82 Virupakshi The One with Fierce or Atypical Eyes, revealing Her all-seeing cosmic vision and formidable gaze.
83 Vishalakshi She whose eyes are vast and beautiful, revealing all-encompassing vision and wisdom.
84 Trilochana The Three-Eyed One.
85 Sharadindu Prasannasya Radiant as a beautiful autumnal moon.
86 Sphurat Smera Radiant One with a Gentle Smile.
87 Ambujekshana Her whose eyes are like the lotus, charming and captivating all.
88 Attahasa Prasannasya Her face beams with a mighty, resounding laugh.
89 Smera Vaktra Bearing a smiling face, radiating divine joy and benevolence.
90 Subhashini She who speaks with beauty, truth, and auspicious force.
91 Prasanna Padma Vadana She whose face is a serene, blossoming lotus.
92 Smitasya The smiling Goddess, ever blissful and benevolent.
93 Priya Bhashini The one whose words are pleasant and endearing.
94 Kotarakshi The One whose eyes are like a deep cave, pervading all space and time.
95 Kulashreshtha The foremost and best in her clan, embodying its highest virtues.
96 Mahati The Great One, vast and exalted, whose light encompasses the universe.
97 Bahubhashini She whose speech is abundant, eloquent, and charged with divine power.
98 Sumati The one with an auspicious mind and a benevolent disposition.
99 Kumati She who dispels evil thought and spiritual ignorance.
100 Chanda The fierce one, terrifying to all who oppose cosmic order.
101 Chandamundavegini The one who destroys the demons Chanda and Munda with tremendous speed.
102 Prachanda Chandika The Fiercely Wrathful and Fiery One.
103 Chandi The fierce and wrathful dark Goddess who destroys all evil.
104 Chandika The incandescent fierce one, blazing with wrath against evil.
105 Chandavegini The Swift and Fierce Mother, whose passionate force overwhelms all obstacles.
106 Sukeshi Whose Hair is Beautiful.
107 Muktakeshi Cha With disheveled hair, symbolizing uncontrolled primal force.
108 Dirgha Keshi She whose long, flowing hair expresses boundless power and untamed nature.

How to use the 108 names

  • Daily japa: choose a fixed number of names, or a mala round, and keep the same set for a period of practice.
  • Study: read one meaning a day and follow the link to the longer elaboration when a name catches your attention.
  • Chanting: recite in the given order. If you prefer a longer practice, continue through the full 1,072 names using the range pages.
  • Offline: download the printable PDF edition that contains the complete 1,072-name list.

Questions about the 108 names

What are the 108 names of Maa Kali?

The 108 names of Maa Kali are a compact devotional set used for japa and study. This page presents 108 names from the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, each with its Devanagari form, a common English spelling, and an English meaning.

Are these 108 names the same as the Kali Sahasranama?

This list is the opening set of 108 names from the Adya Mahakali Sahasranama, the 1,072-name Kali Sahasranama on this site. The full Sahasranama continues well beyond 108 names and is browsable by range.

Can I download the 108 names of Kali as a PDF?

Yes. The printable PDF edition on this site contains the complete 1,072-name list with Devanagari, spellings, and meanings, including these first 108 names. The download page also links to the official designed edition.

How is Kali Sahasranama chanting done?

The names are traditionally recited in sequence. Many readers recite a fixed set such as 108 names daily, while longer practice recites the full Sahasranama. The lyrics page explains the sequence and links to the complete text.

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