Then did the Gods and Godlings take counsel how they might slay them. “Go to the Destroyer,” said the Great God, and so said also the Preserver--“It is his business.” But Shiva, the Destroyer, owned to a dilemma. “I have promised them,” said he, “that no _man_ shall prevail against them. What shall I do?” Then upon meditation--“I am resolved what to do. One shall I create in the form of a woman, that this strife might be ended.”... And that was how Creation came near to Kali the Mother. Very beautiful was she, the strength of the strong, and the attractiveness of that which was to conquer strife: and her did Shiva name _Jugatdatri_--Nurse of the World. None could stand before her, and it came to pass that at last was left only one enemy--the King of Demons; and he, seeing her beauty, sought her in marriage; but she laughed saying, “I wed none but him I cannot conquer.” And Shumbo maddened by her laughter vowed victory, and her very glory was a peril, for he seized upon her hair, and impeded her much.... Then did the Gods take counsel again together. It was the Destroyer who found help. “Let us each give her of our strength,” said he, “that evil may be smitten for ever.” And they did all even as he suggested, and the incoming of this great strength made her so that she lost some of her comeliness. And now was she called _Kali_ ... She that is black. And the strength of the Gods was as wine to her, and she fought intoxicate. And behold, while all the Gods and Demons watched, they fought--those two--the Nurse of the World and the King of Evil, and Kali won. Then was there great rejoicing on earth and in heaven, and Kali joyed no less than her creatures, and she danced in her joy, drunk with the blood of her victim. And for the third time the Gods took counsel, for they said, “The thing we have ourselves made strong will at last destroy even us.”