Is the vidyadevi Kali associated in any way with Hindu Kali?
Yes, there is a name overlap and some cultural resemblance, but Jain vidyādevī Kālī is not the same as Hindu Kālī.
In Jain Dharma:
- Vidyādevīs are protective or ज्ञान-related celestial beings.
- Kālī in Jain context is understood within the Jain system of divine attendants/guardians.
- She is not regarded as the fierce Hindu goddess who is worshipped as a major deity in Śaiva/Śākta traditions.
So the correct Jain view is:
- Similar name: yes
- Same deity: no
- Same theological role: no
Jainism keeps its own distinct framework. Even when names or forms look similar across traditions, the meaning and status are different in Jain doctrine.
If you want, I can also explain the difference between Jain vidyādevīs and Hindu goddesses in simple terms.