O Devi, listen as I recount the wondrous power of Dhundheshvara. The merit gained from beholding Dhundheshvara surpasses even that earned through a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices. All sins—whether committed in thought, word, deed, or kept hidden—are swiftly washed away by the sight of this sacred form. Thus have I spoken to you, O Devi: Dhundha, leader of the hosts, shone forth with his Ganas, becoming most pleasing to me. This, O Devi, is the power I have revealed to you—the power that destroys sin. Sri Mahadeva continued: Whenever the Lord of the universe is seen, all sin is destroyed. Now hear of a time in the Vaivasvata cycle, when a great demon named Ruru arose. He was immense in size, with sharp fangs and terrifying presence. By his might, the gods were shaken from their positions and forced to abandon the abode of immortals. Their wealth was seized, and they went to Brahma for aid. Knowing Ruru to be invulnerable, the gods saw him, wicked in mind, slay both the righteous and others without mercy. In those days, the earth fell silent—no scriptures were recited, no sacrificial exclamations rang out. The gods and all the great sages became greatly distressed. Suddenly, before them all, a body appeared, and from it arose a divine being with lotus-like eyes. She addressed the gods, asking, “For what reason have I been created, O gods?” Her auspicious words filled the assembly, and then the goddess laughed repeatedly, her laughter loud and fierce. Around her gathered fierce beings, wielding noose and goad, their faces wreathed in garlands of flames. All of them, O Great Goddess, went to the place where Vajra, the mighty asura, resided. The ends of the directions were filled with countless weapons and missiles released in battle. The goddess joined the fray against the enemies of the gods, and seeing his army falter, Vajra employed his magic. He conjured a tamasic illusion, difficult to overcome, which bewildered even maidens. As darkness spread, the goddess became overcome with fear. Nearby stood Hara, bearing a skull, established in the form of a liṅga. Vajra, realizing that the gods and goddess had been defeated, gathered his forces in the divine forest of Mahākāla, surrounded by hundreds of millions of chariots. He declared, “Today I will slay the gods, together with that thoroughly wicked one.” At that very moment, Nārada, the best of sages, arrived. He informed the gods of their defeat at the hands of Vajra, saying, “In the Mahākāla forest, O Lord, the gods have been struck down.” Hearing Nārada’s words, I, O Supreme Lady, surrounded myself with hosts of terribly fierce and frightening serpents. The Mahākāla forest was encircled on all sides by the asura. Then I arrived and struck the fierce ḍamaru drum. At its sound, the supreme liṅga arose. From that liṅga, a great flame emerged, and from another part, a mighty wind arose. Driven by the wind, a mass of blazing radiance spread forth. All the hosts of gods, their minds filled with joy, witnessed this marvel. By the greatness of this god, the powerful Vajra was burned. In this world, the supreme liṅga will become renowned as bestowing all desired fruits. And because the sound of the ḍamaru arose upon the earth, the divine power was manifest, bringing deliverance and joy to all.