I appreciate that they posed the question of Kali’s tongue at the beginning of the video. It immediately intrigues the reader and pulls them into the story and makes them want to continue watching/reading in order to find the answer!
I thought it was interesting that in hinduism that there is only one female goddess, Niriti, who is asked to stay away. She generally symbolizes death and is closely associated with the early beginnings of Kali. I think it’s interesting that there is a female symbol of death in Hindu culture, whereas in most western cultures there is only a male symbol of death.
The part about the Dirgha Jihvi is also very interesting. One thing that seems to be a theme throughout the Epics and in the history of the Goddesses too is that usually they end up sad and lonely or dead… I must say I am not too crazy about that aspect of things. It’s like in Disney movies when they always kill off the mom! Not cool!
I appreciate the line regarding the Dirgha Jihvi that says, “It reveals male anxiety before female sexual and reproductive prowess.” I feel like that perfectly sums up so many of the issues that arise from the Indian Epics! We even see this come up in the Ramayana when Rama banishes Sita for fear that she was unfaithful to him!
I found it fascinating that the name Kali appeared for the first time with the rise of Buddhism, and that it is actually the name given to one of the tongue of the fire-god, Agni. It is interesting that in Puranic literature there is only one God, and that some believed that God was actually Devi. It is fascinating that Hinduism viewed Niriti, a female Kali-like character, as the end of the world, where as some Buddhist schools of thought viewed Devi, the female that Kali stems from, as the all powerful God.
It's fascinating that Kali as a figure changes from being someone who is avoided to someone who gives power to Shiva.
Below is an image titled "Kali Dancing on Shiva"
Bibliography: Seven Secrets of the Goddess: Kali's Secret by Devdutt Pattanaik
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