Mahakala is a god common to Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism. He is Goddess Mahakali’s consort and manifestation of Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, Mahakala means Maha (great) and Kala (time/death) which means beyond death or beyond time.
Prominent appearance of this deity is seen in the Kalikula sect of Shaktism. In Tibetan traditions, Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism and in Vajrayana Buddhism, Mahakala is known as Dharmapala (a protector deity). Mahakala is depicted as ‘governor of Maya’ – Kal in Sikhism.
Mahakala is depicted with three eyes, four arms, lives amidst 8 cremation grounds and has the brilliance of intensity of 10 million black fires of dissolution. Besides this he holds a trident, a scythe, sword and drum in his hands, is seated on 5 corpses and wears 8 skulls. A number of shrieking jackals and vultures surround him and ashes from the cremation ground adorn him.
The flow of time is represented by him and Kali his consort. Together they take up responsibility of dissolution of the universe towards the end of Kalpa, they posses power to dissolved space and time into themselves and prevail as Void, after dissolution of the universe. No rules and regulations can bind them and the destructive power of the Brahmin they have is ultimate. They obliterate great demons and evil when it is difficult for the Trimurtis, Devas and other gods to do so. Time does not bind them and in personified form they are Time or Kala, to annihilate women, men, animals, children the whole world and the universe.
