Meaning and elaboration
Meaning: The Gross Form, Ponderous and Manifest in the Material Universe.
Elaboration
Sthula means "gross," "thick," "large," or "manifest." As Sthula, Mahakali appears as the physically manifest universe, the tangible and weighty reality perceived by the senses.
The Cosmic Body Sthula Kali embodies the entire material cosmos as her physical body. This includes all planets, stars, galaxies, and every intricate detail of the physical world. She is the very substance and structure of the universe, the tangible expression of divine energy. This aspect emphasizes her immanence, her presence within every atom and every phenomenon of creation.
The Realm of Experience This gross form is the arena where all jivas (individual souls) experience the fruits of their karma. It is the manifest reality of cause and effect, where actions take physical form and their consequences unfold. Sthula Kali therefore provides the stage upon which the divine play (Lila) of existence is enacted.
From Subtle to Gross In the philosophical scheme, Sthula is contrasted with Sukshma (subtle) and Karana (causal). Sthula Kali is the culmination of her descent from the unmanifest causal state (Karana), through the subtle energetic and ideational forms (Sukshma), into the fully expressed material dimension. She is the final, concrete manifestation of her divine will and creative power. For the devotee, meditating on Sthula Kali means recognizing the divine throughout physical creation and seeing the Mother in every aspect of the material world.