O Goddess, hear of the wondrous power that I have revealed to you, a force that destroys all sin. Whoever worships during the solstice, on a Monday, or at the time of an eclipse, will enjoy happiness in my realm for as long as fourteen Indras reign. Now, know this: the twelfth is Shiva, Lord of the Guardians of the Worlds. Long ago, hosts of Daityas appeared by the thousands, overrunning the earth along with its mountains, forests, and groves. The Brahmins, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, were devoured, and all sacrificial vessels were destroyed; clay pots and the like were shattered. The earth became devoid of sacrifice and festival. Afflicted and hungry, all the gods, with joined palms, cried out: “You have protected us before from Namuci and Vṛṣaparvan. Now, O best of gods, protect us, for great fear has come upon us.” Hearing their plea, he who holds the conch, discus, and mace listened. The Daityas went out at night and began to slay the best of the twice-born. Indra, lord of the Maruts, was defeated and retreated to heaven. The lord of waters, after moving westward, was conquered. Distressed, all the gods sought refuge with Vishnu. With devotion and concentration, they journeyed to the great Kāla forest, and Vishnu assured them that, through his grace, success would come. Hearing Krishna’s immeasurable words, at that very moment, the gods were surrounded by Daityas armed with weapons. They began to recount, with great intensity, how the three worlds had been restrained. Observing vows, adorned with skulls and their bodies smeared with ashes, resplendent with small bells, they went together with Brahma, anklets fastened on their feet. Then, those guardians of the worlds, having heard Krishna’s speech, beheld there the great liṅga—a wondrous mass of radiance. From that liṅga, a flame of fire emerged. Recognizing its greatness, they gave it a name with focused minds: Lokapāleśvara. This name would become renowned on earth. Having returned to their divine abodes as before, they were filled with joy. O Goddess, those who behold Lokapāleśvara Śiva will not suffer poverty, nor disease, nor untimely death. Whoever, with a particular desire, seeks a vision of him, attains the fruit of a properly performed Aśvamedha sacrifice. Even one who happens to see Lokapāleśvara Śiva—especially during the transit, on a Monday, or on the fourteenth day—becomes invincible in battle against enemies, and in due course attains the world of Varuṇa or the realm of Kubera, as they desire. O Goddess, this power of yours, which destroys sin, has now been described to you. By merely seeing him, auspicious good fortune arises. At that time, while Brahmā was meditating, desiring offspring, there appeared a handsome one, adorned with ornaments and decorated with divine jewels. Seeing him—supremely divine, charming, and radiant with good fortune—Brahmā was filled with wonder.