The gods and all the great sages found themselves plunged into deep distress. Suddenly, before their eyes, a mysterious body appeared. From this body emerged a divine being, radiant and possessing lotus-like eyes. She addressed the gods, asking, “For what reason have I been created, O gods?” Hearing her auspicious words, the gods responded, and the goddess, upon listening, laughed loudly and repeatedly. Around her appeared fierce beings, bearing noose and goad, their faces wreathed in garlands of flames. All these formidable attendants, O Great Goddess, advanced to the place where Vajra, the mighty asura, resided. The ends of the directions were soon filled with countless weapons and missiles released in battle. The goddess herself joined the fray against the enemies of the gods. When Vajra saw his army falter, he unleashed his magic, creating a tamasic illusion that bewildered even the maidens. Darkness spread across the battlefield, and the goddess was overcome with fear. Nearby stood Hara, bearing a skull and established in the form of a liṅga. Vajra, realizing that the gods and the goddess had been defeated, gathered his forces in the divine forest of Mahākāla, surrounded by hundreds of millions of chariots. He boasted, “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.” Upon hearing Nārada’s words, I, O Supreme Lady, found myself surrounded by hosts of terribly fierce and frightening serpents. The Mahākāla forest was encircled on all sides by the asura. Then I came and struck the fierce ḍamaru drum. At the sound of the ḍamaru, the supreme liṅga arose. From this liṅga, a great flame burst forth, and from another part, a mighty wind emerged. Driven by the wind, a mass of blazing radiance spread across the land. All the hosts of gods, their minds filled with joy, witnessed this marvel. By the greatness of this god, the powerful Vajra was burned; and in this world, the liṅga would become renowned as bestowing all desired fruits. Because the sound of the ḍamaru arose upon the earth, those who see and worship the god Ḍamarukeśvara shall obtain the fruit of performing hundreds of properly conducted Cāndrāyaṇa rites. Those who, with devotion, behold the liṅga of Ḍamarukeśvara at this place will certainly attain the eternal world of Rudra. Freed from mental sins, they will reach the supreme state; and upon witnessing this, people will gain the merit of a thousand cows. He who, steadfast in battle, beholds Ḍamarukeśvara, O Devi, will be blessed by this power, the destroyer of sin, as has been revealed to you. It is always praised as the eternal remover of all sins. At the beginning of the kalpa, O Devi, this liṅga emerged. At that time, there was neither wind, nor water, nor sky, nor planets.