Shree Kali — the fierce goddess of time, destruction of evil, and liberationShree Kalituesdaysaturday

Kali Ashtakam

काली अष्टकम्

8 min read8 versesSource: Kalika Purana

About Kali Ashtakam

Kali Ashtakam — काली अष्टकम् — is an eight-verse devotional hymn offered to Goddess Kali. Drawn from Kalika Purana, this text has been cherished by devotees for centuries. Chanting this stotra with devotion is said to destroy all types of arishta (misfortune and calamities) as well as grant fearlessness and protection from enemies. Additionally, it is known to special significance during Kali Puja and Amavasya. This prayer is traditionally recited on Tuesday (Mangalvar) and Saturday (Shanivar) and during Navratri, Kali Puja, and Amavasya to invoke divine grace. With 8 verses and a reading time of about 8 minutes, this prayer is ideal for both daily worship and special occasions. On this page, you can read the complete Kali Ashtakam in Devanagari Sanskrit with English transliteration, Hindi meaning (arth), and free PDF download for offline recitation.

Reviewed & translated by Acharya Pushyadant Mishra

Stotra Path (स्तोत्र पाठ)

॥ श्री काली अष्टकम् ॥

गले मुण्डमालां करे खड्गपात्रे भुजंगस्य हारं शवानां च सेजे।

प्रचण्डां प्रसन्नां महाकालकान्तां नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ १॥

विकीर्णालकां विग्रहां घोररूपां त्रिनेत्रां विरूपाक्षपत्नीं भवानीम्।

चतुर्बाहुलक्ष्मीं कपालं च खड्गं वहन्तीं नमस्ते सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ २॥

श्मशाने वसन्तीं चिताभस्मलिप्ताम् प्रेतासनस्थां महाभीमरूपाम्।

हसन्तीं च नृत्यन्तीं उग्रप्रभावां नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ३॥

महामारिकां चण्डमुण्डप्रहन्त्रीं सदा रक्तबीजासुरक्षयंकरीम्।

महिषासुरध्वंसिनीं देवदेवीं नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ४॥

सदा दक्षिणे पूजिता सिद्धिदात्री वृता योगिनीभिः सुसिद्धाम्बिकाभिः।

सुरासुरवन्द्यां जगद्धारिणीं तां नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ५॥

महाविद्यादशानां प्रथमां श्रेष्ठां भजे तामसीं कालसंहारकर्त्रीम्।

प्रपन्नार्तिहन्त्रीं कृपापूर्णदृष्टिं नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ६॥

कालीघाटनिवासिनीं करुणामयीं तारापीठविराजिताम्।

दक्षिणेश्वरपूजितां सुमनोहरां नमामि स्वमातुः सदा श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ७॥

महाभयहरां देवीं मुक्तिदां मोक्षदायिनीम्।

कालत्रयविजयिनीं सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायिनीम्।

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये नमामि श्रीमहाकालिकाम्॥ ८॥

॥ फलश्रुति ॥

काल्यष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेद् भक्तिसंयुतः।

सर्वारिष्टविनिर्मुक्तः काल्याः सायुज्यमाप्नुयात्॥

॥ इति श्री काली अष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Benefits (फल)

  • Powerful eight-verse prayer to Goddess Mahakali
  • Destroys all types of arishta (misfortune and calamities)
  • Grants fearlessness and protection from enemies
  • Bestows siddhi and spiritual accomplishment
  • Removes effects of black magic and evil eye
  • Special significance during Kali Puja and Amavasya

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kali Ashtakam

Kali Ashtakam in Sanskrit with Hindi meaning. Eight powerful verses to Goddess Mahakali for protection, fearlessness, and destruction of evil. It is dedicated to Shree Kali (श्री काली), the fierce goddess of time, destruction of evil, and liberation. most powerful form of shakti and the first of the dasha mahavidyas. This sacred hymn contains 8 verses and is sourced from Kalika Purana.