With deep reverence, the tale unfolds at a moment of divine offering. Lord Shiva, in his boundless compassion, addressed the assembled goddesses, saying, “I have not tasted this, nor has anyone else. Yet I offer it to you for your nourishment. Below my navel are two round things, resembling fruits. Partake together of these two long testicles of mine; by consuming this food, you will attain supreme satisfaction.” Receiving this extraordinary offering, all the goddesses came before Shiva, bowed in humble respect, and spoke with gratitude and awe. They declared, “Those men who perform auspicious acts without mockery shall be blessed with wealth, cattle, sons, wives, and all the prosperity of household life. Whatever else their hearts desire will be granted by me. But those who mock, with long teeth, will fall into poverty.” They continued, “Therefore, one who truly knows should not engage in ridicule or laughter. You, revered mothers, will become renowned throughout the world. Those men who, during the festival of Kaumudi, make offerings of chickpea cakes and fried cakes together with testicles—such men, with their relatives and kinsmen, will see their lineage flourish. A sonless man will obtain a son; one seeking wealth will find abundance. 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.” Then Shiva addressed Śivadūtī, saying, “O Śivadūtī, I have thus given them food as you requested. You asked what causes shame—now listen to my words.” With great devotion, Shiva praised the goddess: “Victory to you, O Caṇḍikā! Victory, remover of beings! Victory, all-pervading goddess! O Kālarātri, I bow to you. O embodiment of the universe, pure one, three-eyed with uneven eyes; of terrible form, yet auspicious and full of knowledge, great illusion, vast-bellied. Conqueror and fortress of the mind, wide-eyed, destroyer of agitation; great disease, wondrous-limbed, lover of song and dance, auspicious one. Fierce, great Kāli, Kālikā, destroyer of sin; holding a noose and staff, with a terrible hand, fearsome one. O Caṇḍikā, with blazing mouth, sharp teeth, and immense 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 Kāli, dreadful one. Kālikā, fierce and powerful, Kālarātri, I bow to you; goddess bearing all weapons, salutation to you, worshipped by the gods.” Thus praised by Rudra, the supreme lord, 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 you with devotion shall gain prosperity, sons, grandsons, and livestock. Whoever listens with devotion to this hymn dedicated to the goddess will be freed from all sins and attain supreme liberation. If a king, deprived of his kingdom, observes the ninth day with purity and fasts on the eighth and fourteenth days, O best of men, he will regain a secure kingdom within a year.” “This is the power endowed with knowledge, called Śivadūtī. Whoever listens daily with supreme devotion, O king, is freed from all sins and attains supreme liberation. Whoever recites this with devotion after bathing in the sacred waters of Puṣkara, having obtained all these fruits, will be honored in the world of Brahma. Wherever this is written and kept in a house, O prince, 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, O wise ones, all their actions succeed throughout the three worlds, both moving and unmoving. Many sons are born, wealth, grain, and excellent wives are gained; 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, Bhīṣma, ever eager for wisdom, 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.” Pulastya, the sage, replied, “I will tell you everything in full. Hearing this, O best of kings, you will never again fall into delusion. By what cause one becomes a ghost, and by what means one is freed from it—he who falls into such a state attains a dreadful hell, hard to cross even for the gods. Yet, through virtuous conversation and recounting of holy places, those who have fallen into ghostly births are freed.” Pulastya continued, “It is said, O Bhīṣma, that in ancient times there was a Brahmin of strict vows, renowned everywhere, always content. He was devoted to self-study in his home, always engaged in yoga and learned in its practice, spending his time in recitation and sacrifice. Endowed with patience and compassion, established in forgiveness and knowledge of truth, his mind was set on nonviolence and gentleness. He practiced celibacy, was disciplined in asceticism and yoga, diligent in ancestral rites, and attentive to Vedic rituals. Motivated by concern for the next world, steadfast in truthfulness, gentle in speech, and devoted to honoring guests, he was fulfilled in acts of charity and sacrifice, free from dualities, devoted to his prescribed duties, and diligent in self-study. Thus, performing his actions with the desire to overcome worldly existence, many years passed while he lived as a householder Brahmin.” And so, the narrative weaves together the power of sacred offerings, the blessings of the goddess, and the paths of virtue and liberation, as revealed by the words of the wise.