Rudra began his tale, recounting a sacred event from earlier times. When Skanda was consecrated by Rudra himself in Avanti, the ceremony reached its climax with the ritual shaving of the boy’s head. At this auspicious moment, the mothers arrived, bringing with them a food offering unlike any seen before. Their affection and care infused the meal, and it was so extraordinary that the hosts of gods descended from heaven to partake in the mothers’ gift. Within their house, the most eminent deities gathered—Brahma, the Gandharvas, Apsaras, Yakshas, and all the Guhyakas. The peaks of mighty Meru, the sacred rivers such as Ganga, all the Nagas, elephants, Siddhas, birds, and the destroyers of demons were also present. The Dakinis, Vetalas, and all the planetary deities assembled, making it clear that every being created by Brahma was represented at this grand occasion. The food offered was celestial, freely chosen, and rare even among the gods. Shivaduti, the fierce goddess, instructed, “Give them the food you have prepared, for it is rare even in heaven.” The meal was made with love—sweet, delightful, well-cooked, and carefully crafted. Sometimes, such food was eaten by none other than the Supreme Lord himself. Thus addressed, Maheshvara, the great god Shiva, spoke in the presence of Parvati: “I have prepared food by many means, and all has been given away. Nothing else remains here. Now that you have all arrived, tell me what I should offer—what unprecedented thing should I give, especially to you all?” He continued, “I have not tasted it, nor has anyone else, but I give it to you for your nourishment. Below my navel are two round things, resembling fruits. Eat together these two long testicles of mine; by this food, you will attain supreme satisfaction.” Receiving this extraordinary offering, all the goddesses stood before Shiva, bowed reverently, and spoke: “Those men who perform auspicious acts without mockery shall have wealth, cattle, sons, wives, and all household prosperity. Whatever else is desired in their minds will be granted by us. But those who mock, with long teeth, become poor. Therefore, one who knows should not ridicule or laugh. You, revered mothers, will become renowned in the world.” The goddesses declared further: “Those men who, in offerings, present cakes of chickpeas and fried cakes, along with testicles during the festival of Kaumudi—along with their relatives and kinsmen—their lineage will not be cut off. A sonless man will obtain a son, one seeking wealth will gain wealth. He will be handsome, fortunate, enjoy pleasures, and be learned in all scriptures. He will be honored in the world of Brahma, riding in a vehicle drawn by swans.” “O Shivaduti,” Shiva said, “I have thus given them food. You asked what causes shame—listen to what I say.” Then Rudra praised the goddess: “Victory to you, O Chandika! Victory, remover of beings! Victory, all-pervading goddess! O Kalaratri, I bow to you. O embodiment of the universe, pure one, three-eyed with uneven eyes; of terrible form, auspicious one, knowledge, great illusion, vast-bellied. Conqueror of the mind, fortress of the mind, wide-eyed, destroyer of agitation; great disease, wondrous-limbed, lover of song and dance, auspicious one. Fierce one, great Kali, Kalika, destroyer of sin; holding a noose, holding a staff, with a terrible hand, fearsome one. Chandika, with blazing mouth, sharp-toothed, of great strength; beloved of Shiva’s vehicle, goddess, seated on a corpse, auspicious one. Wide-eyed, terrifying goddess, bringer of fear to all beings; fierce, monstrous, great Kali, dreadful one. Kalika, fierce and powerful, Kalaratri, I bow to you; goddess bearing all weapons, salutation to you, worshipped by the gods.” Thus praised by Rudra, the supreme lord, Shivaduti—the supreme goddess—was pleased and spoke: “Choose a boon, O Lord of the gods, whatever dwells in your mind.” Rudra replied, “O beautiful-faced goddess, whoever praises you with this hymn, you become the granter of boons for them, ever-present and true. Whoever ascends this mountain and worships with devotion attains prosperity, sons, grandsons, and livestock. Whoever listens with devotion to this hymn arising for the goddess is freed from all sins and attains supreme liberation. When a king, deprived of his kingdom, observes the ninth day with purity and also fasts on the eighth and fourteenth days, he regains a secure kingdom within a year.” “This is the power endowed with knowledge, called Shivaduti. Whoever listens daily with supreme devotion, O king, is freed from all sins and attains supreme liberation. Whoever recites this hymn with devotion, having bathed in the waters of Pushkara, obtains all these fruits and is honored in the world of Brahma. Wherever this is written and kept in a house, there is no terrible fear of fire, nor any danger from thieves and the like. Whoever worships this with devotion, even when it is kept in a book, all actions succeed throughout the three worlds, both moving and unmoving. Many sons are born, wealth, grain, and excellent wives; jewels, horses, elephants, and servants quickly come to them. Wherever this is written in a house, there too it surely happens thus.” At this point, Bhishma, ever wise and attentive, asked, “By what karmic result does one become a ghost again? And by what means is one freed from it? Tell me this, O wise one.” Thus the sacred narrative unfolded, revealing the glory of Shivaduti, the power of devotion and ritual, and the blessings bestowed upon those who honor the goddess with reverence and purity.