Whoever bathes at that sacred place becomes purified, their sins washed away, and is granted a vision of Pashupati himself. There, one beholds wondrous palaces adorned with gold, sparkling jewels, and pearls, where every pleasure the heart could desire awaits. If a man bathes in the pond of beauty, he is transformed, becoming radiant and handsome. Bathing in the pond of love brings purity and single-mindedness; the bather attains the pleasures they seek and, after death, is welcomed into the abode of Shiva. On the bright eighth day of the month of Ashadha, one who keeps a vigil and bathes in the elephant pond, worshipping the universal form, is blessed indeed. Bathing in the goat-scented pond and beholding Brahmeshvara Shiva brings great merit. And one who bathes at the sacred Chakra tirtha and worships the Lord of the Chakra attains the world of Rudra, dwelling there in a palace of their choosing. Purified like the radiant Soma, such a soul delights in the world of Soma. These wondrous results invite the question: How did these blessings come to be? What is the truth behind the linga of Someshvara? Listen, then, to the tale: Soma, the blessed god, is the supreme nourisher of the world. In the land of Avanti, there lived the great and fortunate sage Atri, a treasury of austerity. Atri, with arms upraised, practiced severe penance, his mind ever fixed on meditation upon Brahman. From his eyes, a brilliant radiance flowed, illuminating the ten directions. When the directions could contain it no longer, that light, shining across all the worlds, descended to the earth. From Soma, through this dazzling radiance, water arose, and thus the river Shipra came into being, shining with Soma’s own glory. Shipra became renowned as the giver of all success, famed in the three worlds as the bestower of merit even to sinners. So potent is her sanctity that even four people, by merely beholding her, are freed from sin. Whoever is wise and performs bathing, charity, recitation, or sacrifice at Shipra’s banks, or offers sesame-water and funeral cakes, is greatly blessed. Shipra’s water is as rare and precious as Soma itself, or the sacred Soma vessel. Bathing in Shipra, Vyasa, bestows the merit of a crore of sacred fords. If ever a new moon day, a Monday, and the rare Vyatipata coincide, the holy place of Somavati arises there, conferring immense merit. Now, Soma was placed upon a chariot, desiring the welfare of all the worlds. Yoked with a thousand steeds and impelled by Brahma himself, Soma was praised with pure hearts by all present, as he pervaded the three worlds and descended to earth. Seventy-seven times he circled the ocean in his chariot; then, from his journey, divine and immaculate herbs sprang forth upon the earth. Thereafter, Soma, always satisfied, brought contentment to the world. At that time, Brahma, grandsire of all, gave him a command and bestowed upon Soma the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha, steadfast in their vows, as his wives. Soma, having gained this great kingdom, was surrounded by his consorts. At this grand event, the revered Atri served as the Hotṛ priest, and the blessed Bhrigu was the Adhvaryu. Vishnu himself was present as Sadasya, accompanied by Sanaka and the other sages. The goddesses Sinivali, Kuhu, Dhrti, Pushti, Prabha, and Vasu were also in attendance, bearing witness to Soma’s glory and the blessings that flowed from him.