Maa Kali earliest appearance is when she emerged from Lord Shiva. She is the ultimate manifestation of Shakti and the mother of all living beings. She destroys the evil in order to protect the innocent. Over time, Maa Kali has been worshipped by devotional movements and tantric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Adi Shakti, or Parvati. Shakta Hindu and Tantric sects additionally worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also seen as the divine protector and the one who bestows moksha or liberation According to David Kinsley, Kali is first mentioned in Hindu tradition as a distinct goddess around 600 AD, and these texts usually place her on the periphery of Hindu society or on the battlefield. She is often regarded as the Shakti of Shiva, and is closely associated with him in various Puranas.