A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.771

c5.771

KĀLĪ. ‘The black.’ In Vedic days this name was associated with Agni (fire), who had seven flickering tongues of flame for devouring oblations of butter. Of these seven, Kālī was the black or terrific tongue. This meaning of the word is now lost, but it has developed into the goddess Kālī, the fierce and bloody consort of Siva. *See Devī.*