Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
The statement ‘Kali is verily Brahman, and Brahman is verily
Kali. It is one and the same Reality’ reflect an important concept from Hindu
philosophy, specifically within certain traditions of Tantra. In these
traditions, there is a belief in the identity or equivalence of various deities
or aspects of the divine with the ultimate reality, often referred to as
Brahman.
"Kali" typically refers to the Hindu goddess Kali,
who is often depicted as a fierce and powerful deity associated with
destruction and creation. She is sometimes seen as the feminine aspect of the
divine, representing the dynamic and transformative nature of reality.
"Brahman," on the other hand, is a central concept
in Hindu philosophy, particularly in Advaita Vedanta. It refers to the
ultimate, transcendent reality that underlies all existence. Brahman is
considered to be beyond all distinctions and attributes, yet also immanent
within the universe.
The statement provided suggests that Kali and Brahman are
ultimately one and the same reality, despite appearing as distinct concepts or
deities. This idea is in line with the non-dualistic philosophy found in
certain Hindu traditions, which teaches that all apparent distinctions are
ultimately illusory and that there is only one ultimate reality.
It's important to note that interpretations of such concepts
can vary widely among different schools of Hindu philosophy and among
individual practitioners. Additionally, these ideas often carry deep symbolic
and mystical meanings that may not be immediately apparent from a literal
reading.