Meaning and elaboration
Meaning: The Destroyer of Doubts and Fears, the Giver of auspiciousness and a Beloved of Shiva.
Elaboration
The name Shangkari Cha, or Shankari cha, is a powerful compound with several layers of meaning, reflecting the many-sided nature of Mahakali. The suffix "-cha" in Sanskrit means "and," indicating a joining of attributes.
The Destroyer of Doubts and Fears This aspect of Shankari refers to her fierce yet benevolent role in dispelling the inner turmoil of her devotees. "Shanka" means doubt, apprehension, or fear. Kali, in this form, annihilates skepticism, illusion (maya), and existential dread. By revealing the truth of Brahman, she removes the root causes of suffering: ignorance (avidya) and the fear born of death and impermanence. Her fierce appearance is not meant to terrify the devotee, but to free the devotee from fear by cutting through it at its source.
The Giver of Auspiciousness (Shankari) "Shankari" directly translates to "She who causes welfare, happiness, or auspiciousness" (Shankaram karoti iti). This reinforces the benevolent aspect of Mahakali. Though dark and fierce in form, her ultimate purpose is the well-being and liberation of all beings. She bestows spiritual growth, prosperity, health, and ultimately moksha (liberation). This name makes clear that her destructive power is directed toward removing the obstacles that stand in the way of happiness and spiritual progress, and for that reason it is auspicious.
A Beloved of Shiva The name Shankari is also a direct reference to Shiva, since Shankara is a common epithet for him, meaning "the bestower of auspiciousness." Shankari is the feminine form, indicating her inseparable connection with Lord Shiva. She is his consort, his power (Shakti), and his equal. Their union represents the cosmic balance of consciousness (Shiva) and energy (Shakti), stillness and dynamism. As the beloved of Shiva, she takes part in the cosmic play of creation, preservation, and dissolution, embodying the divine feminine power that complements and completes the male principle. Their Lila sustains the continuous cycle of existence.