As the tale unfolds, the arrow of Kāma, the god of love, in its playful flight, struck directly at my heart. In response, a spark flared from my eye, so intense that the denizens of heaven cried out in alarm. When Kāma was thus burned by my gaze, his beloved Rati was plunged into deep grief. In her sorrow, she lamented, “Alas, lord! Alas, my very life! Alas, master, why do you abandon me?” Her cries echoed with anguish. As Rati wept, a bodiless voice resounded, granted by the grace of the God of gods, and Śiva himself. At that very moment, I was entreated, O dear one, as the gods and all creation on earth mourned the destruction of Kāma. Then, I spoke to Rati, who was distressed, O goddess, and assured her: “By my favor, I shall restore life to his body, though it was burned.” From then onward, Kāma would move among beings as Ananga, the bodiless one. Out of compassion for the gods, I made him Ananga. Filled with devotion, even Ananga went forth. By the satisfied liṅga, it was proclaimed, “Kāma, you shall obtain your desire.” He was promised birth in the womb of Rukmiṇī, through union with Kṛṣṇa. Because Ananga had pleased me in his mind, those who see him, Kandarpa, endowed with supreme devotion, will be blessed: they will become long-lived, beautiful in appearance, possess sovereignty, supreme enjoyments, and women adorned with divine qualities. Furthermore, those who see me with devotion on the thirteenth day of the bright half of Caitra—yakṣas, lords of the gaṇas, siddhas, and those served by accomplished gandharvas—will also be blessed. Thus addressed, Kāma, O Supreme Lady, by means of the liṅga, received this power I described to you, which destroys sin. Merely beholding it increases one’s lineage. In ancient times, when the gods and asuras churned the ocean of milk, a fierce poison called Kālakūṭa, terrifying with flames, emerged. All the hosts of gods, asuras, yakṣas, and rākṣasas praised me with various hymns and spoke these words, O beautiful-faced one: “The intended action was otherwise, but fate accomplished it differently.” That Kālakūṭa poison arose, burning all moving and unmoving beings. “Protect us, O Lord of the universe, lover of those who seek refuge!” they pleaded. Hearing their words, O illustrious one, I then held that fierce Kālakūṭa in my throat. You, frightened, suddenly vanished upon seeing my form. The Ganges, joined with many rivers, appeared at my side. I addressed her: “O Ganges, carry away the Kālakūṭa poison swiftly to the great ocean. It is fierce in form and difficult to endure; it surely burns, there is no doubt.” Then Yamunā was addressed, but Sarasvatī was not capable. They were unable to take up the poison called Kālakūṭa. I then spoke: “O Śiprā, my daughter, by my command, go to the forest of Mahākāla. There exists the supreme liṅga; install it in that liṅga.” With devotion, she replied, “O god, I am now proceeding without doubt, according to your command.” Thus, the story continues, revealing the compassion and power of the Lord, the restoration of Kāma, and the handling of the fearsome poison, all for the welfare of the gods and creation.