The Kapalini form of Goddess Shakti in Hinduism is
associated with the cycle of creation.
A terrifying storm rages—when there is no distinguishing
between day and night – at the end of one cycle of creation in Hinduism. All
around there is nothing but water. Through this Maa Shakti moves, carefully
holding in her hand the Brahma-substance. With this Brahma-substance she will
create a new world, a new sun. On the new Earth, life will be formed again. But
she is the Primordial One. She must safeguard and store these three
Brahma-substances—meaning the essence of the memories of what existed before.
Everyone asks—why is the word Kapalini joined to one of the
Mother’s many forms?
She who bears the skull (kapal) is Kapalini. Etymologically, the word refers to
the forehead region—half of the skull, like half of a vessel. But it is not
because of the garland of severed heads around her neck, as many assume.
According to the scriptures, then, why did the name Kapalini
become associated with Kali?
Puranic explanation
The end of an age or a Manu comes, and the time of a new
Manu begins. The transition from one Manu to the next is called a Manvantara.
This ending comes through great cosmic catastrophe. In that moment, none but
Mahakala and Mahakali remain. The new Manu’s sun, the moon—everything is new.
In the fierce, storm-torn great dissolution, everything is destroyed. All of
creation is submerged in water.
Mother Kali moves across the waters bearing the skulls of
Brahma and the other gods. In this way she preserves their authority and the
Brahmic essence. From that essence the new world will be made. Thus, in every
age she is the Primordial Power, bottomless and eternal. She is that
Beginningless, Endless Kapalini, the Bearer of the Skulls.
Tantric explanation
In Tantra, the skull (karoti) in the hand of Mother Tara,
the second Mahavidya, symbolizes liberation in the Mother’s grasp. Bone,
skull—these represent the final stage: the completion of spiritual practice. In
Tantra, attainment (siddhi) means eternal rebirth—freedom from the cycle of
death, becoming an ornament of the Mother, finding a place in her lap.
Just as a corpse becomes Shiva, so the practitioner’s skull
in the Mother’s hand signifies that all gross elements of the self are
destroyed, and only the subtle essence remains—finally resting in the Mother’s
embrace.