She is considered to be the auspicious and fortunate form of Adi Shakti who protects the good, known as Bhadra.

[3] In Vaishnavism, Bhadrakali is among the many epithets of Yogamaya, the internal potency of illusion of the preserver deity, Vishnu.

Another interpretation traces the name to the Sanskrit root word (Beeja akshara) "bha" and "dra".

[6][7] According to Tantra Rahasya, the feminine form of the divine (devi) arose from the north face of Shiva, which is blue and with three eyes.

According to legends, the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa is believed to have gained mental consciousness due to the divine will of Bhadrakali.