Black Sleep of the Kali Ma

"You don't believe me? You will, Dr. Jones. You will become a true believer."

―Mola Ram

Indiana Jones falls victim to the Black Sleep.

The Black Sleep of the Kali Ma was a trance a person fell under if they drank the Blood of Kali. After drinking the blood, the victim would be put in a room surrounded by burning candles until the Black Sleep took over their mind. It was described as if being in a nightmare, unable to wake. Those under the influence of the Black Sleep were mindlessly, unswervingly loyal to Kali and the Thuggee cause, as well as being highly obedient to Mola Ram.

The means of bringing a person out of the Black Sleep was to induce enough pain to snap them out of it; the pain experienced from a burn was sufficeint enough to free a victim. Once snapped out of the trance, the victim was completely aware of their actions and experiences while under the effects of the Blood of Kali. Other ways that were able to free victims from the Black Sleep included immersion in water and electrical shock.

Notable victims

• Indiana Jones
• Zalim Singh
• 1st Boy in Cell
• 2nd Boy in Cell

Behind the scenes

During the development of the script for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, it was written that the Black Sleep of Kali Ma gave the people who drank it glowing yellow eyes, such as the Thuggee assassin, but the idea was dropped from the final picture.

Early drafts also had the burning Sankara Stones actually release Mola Ram from the Black Sleep before he falls to his death, hinting that he may not have been in control of his actions. Although this implication was cut from the film itself, it was retained in James Kahn's novelization and Marvel Comics' comic book adaptation.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: A Tale of High Adventure notes that Chattar Lal had an "evil light" in his eyes while trying to stop Indiana Jones from rescuing Willie Scott, but both the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Sourcebook and Marshal College's entry on him indicate that Lal joined the Thuggee cult of his own volition.

Appearances

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom novel
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom junior novel
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: A Tale of High Adventure
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom comic
• Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead (Mentioned only)
• Meet Indy (Indirect mention)
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (Non-canonical appearance)

Sources

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: The Illustrated Screenplay
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Sourcebook
•  The Temple of Doom: Look into my eyes on IndianaJones.com (backup link on Archive.org)
•  Indiana Jones Heritage trading cards (Card: Possessed by the Priest)
•  Indiana Jones Masterpieces trading cards (Card: Back from the Black Sleep)
•  Inside the World of Indiana Jones on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
•  The Real Indiana Jones: Friendship & Sacrifice on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
•  Into The Unknown: Lucasfilm's Brushes with Horror on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
•  Defining Moments: Short Round’s Choice on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)