The "Linga Purana" [**] seems to teach that Kali, though produced by Durga, was yet distinct from her. Formerly a female asura named Daruka had through devotion obtained such power that she consumed like fire the gods and Brahmans. But as she was attended by a host of female asuras, Vishnu and the gods feared to attack her, lest they should be guilty of the great sin of slaying a woman. Siva is then appealed to, who, addressing Devi, said, "Let me request, O lovely one! that thou wouldst effect the destruction of this Daruka." Parvati, having heard these words, created from her own substance a maiden of black colour, with matted locks, having an eye in her forehead, bearing in her hand a trident and a skull; she was of aspect terrible to behold, was arrayed in celestial garments, and adorned with all kinds of ornaments. On beholding this terrific form of darkness, the gods retreated in alarm. Parvati then created innumerable ghosts, goblins, and demons; attended by these, Kali, in obedience to her order, attacked and destroyed Daruka.

Maurice [*+] gives another account of Kali: "The origin of this singular deity is perfectly in union with her life and history. Arrayed in complete armour, she sprang from the eye of the dreadful war-bred goddess Durga, the vanquisher of demons and giants, at the very instant

that she was sinking under their united assaults. Kali joining her extraordinary powers to those of her parent, they renew the combat and rout their foes with great slaughter."

The "Markandeya Purana" [**] makes Kali a production of Lakshmi. The origin of all things is Maha Lakshmi, who visibly or invisibly pervades and dwells in all that is. Separating from herself the quality of darkness, she gave origin to a form black as night, with dreadful tusks and large eyes, and holding a sword, a goblet, a head and a shield, and adorned with a necklace of skulls. She is distinguished by the names of Mahakali, Ekavira, Kalaratri, and other similar appellations. Then from the quality of purity she produced Sarasvati. As soon as they were formed, Maha Lakshmi thus addressed Mahakali and Sarasvati: "Let us from our own forms produce twin deities." She then generated a male and female, named Brahma and Lakshmi; in the same manner Mahakali produced Siva and Sarasvati, and Sarasvati produced Gauri and Vishnu. Maha Lakshmi then gave in marriage Sarasvati to Brahma, Gauri to Siva, and Lakshmi to Vishnu.