One of the most invoked forms of the great goddess is her manifestation as this youthful, multi-armed deity who sits on a magnificent lion, called Singhvahini (she who rides the lion). In her hands she holds the sword, the mace, the discus and the trident. In the empty space between each printed image, it says 'Jai Mata Di' meaning glory and victory be to mother goddess.
On the vertical ends are the images of the same goddess in her malevolent form, that of Kali. Kali is represented as a terrific woman with four arms; in one hand she holds a dagger, in another the head of the giant she has slain whose blood flows into a bowl held in one hand. She wears a necklace of skulls; her only clothing is a girdle made of dead men's hands and her tongue protrudes from her mouth.
Shiva lies lifeless beneath her feet, like a 'shava' without his shakti. This sacred prayer cloth is in yellow, the colour of religion and ascetism, whereas the print above is in red, the colour of energy, representing the goddess Kali.
This textile was created in the holy city of Varanasi, also the most ancient city in the world.
This description by Renu Rana.
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