Kālī

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Kali (/ˈkɑːli/), also known as Kalika, is a Hindu goddess. She is one of ten Mahavidyas, a list that combines Sakta and Buddhist goddesses. Kali's earliest appearance is as a destroyer primarily of evil forces. She is the goddess of one of four subcategories of the Kulamarga, a category of tantric Saivism. Over time, she has been revered by devotional movements and tantric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Adi Shakti, or Adi Parashakti. Shakta Hindu and Tantric sects also worship her as ultimate reality or Brahman. She is seen as divine protector and one who bestows moksha, or liberation. Kali is often depicted standing or dancing on her consort, the Hindu god Shiva, who lies calm and prostrate beneath her.