Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 7
आत्मशक्तिं तत्र मुक्त्वा प्रोवाचेदं वचः शुभा । यस्मादतीव कालासि नाम्ना त्वं कालिका भव
ātmaśaktiṃ tatra muktvā provācedaṃ vacaḥ śubhā | yasmādatīva kālāsi nāmnā tvaṃ kālikā bhava
அங்கே தன் ஆத்மசக்தியை விடுத்து, சுபதேவி இவ்வசனம் உரைத்தாள்— “நீ மிகுந்த கருநிறமுடையவள்; ஆகையால் பெயரால் நீ ‘காலிகா’ ஆவாய்।”
Pārvatī (as narrated by Sūta)
Scene: The auspicious Devī releases a portion of her own śakti, then pronounces a naming decree: ‘Because you are exceedingly dark, you shall be called Kālikā.’ The moment is both maternal and terrifying—creation of a fierce emanation through speech.
FAQs
Names in Purāṇic tradition reveal function and essence; Kālikā signifies a power that absorbs and overcomes darkness and fear.
No tīrtha is referenced in this verse.
None; it is a naming and empowerment moment (śakti-prakāśa).