O Goddess who brings relief from all suffering and releases all from sin, listen as I recount what transpired between us—even I, your own beloved, once quarreled with you. O beautiful one, daughter of the snowy mountain, when the arrangements for our marriage were withdrawn, you, lovely-faced Girijā, sat in the midst of all, your hair dark as blue lotuses, curled and shining, your radiance like black antimony. O Kālī, beautiful and beloved, I invited you to sit by my side. Clad in serpents, pure one, and embraced by the fragrance of sandalwood trees, you were dazzling. Then, O goddess, I addressed you with gentle words and a lovely smile. For my sake, you sent forth those learned in the Vedas, and you entreated my father on my behalf. In your distress for me, you said, “Go, Nārada.” Indeed, the saying of the world is true and never proves false: the seeker must certainly face rejection, insult, and humiliation. For you, this disrespect from me seemed certain at every step. But you are not one of low lineage, not given to vain conduct, not wicked, nor envious. It is those who lack noble birth and act in vain who are always possessed by envy. May the blessed Sun, composed of twelve forms, recognize you, for the god Pūṣā, the twelve-formed illuminator, knows you well. That which was said of me as “Krishna,” renowned as “Mahakala,” was spoken only for the sake of illustration, not out of hatred. Hearing this, you should forgive. There are those who consider themselves the most beautiful among all, seeing themselves as distinct from others. Even a non-believer is not disturbed by such things—how much less so a true believer! O daughter of the mountain, though you think yourself wise, O Mṛḍā, you do not yet know the self. Hardness and suffering arise from the elements, having been struck many times. Thus, O goddess, I addressed you, and again, you replied with words. From serpents comes the possession of many tongues; from ashes, the absence of affection. From dwelling in the cremation ground, fearfulness arises, and nakedness is not due to shame. Thus, at that time, a fierce quarrel arose between us, causing fear and agitation. The gods, Gandharvas, Yakshas, and Rakshasas were all afraid. From the midst of the liṅga, an auspicious voice arose, bringing happiness. The lords of the gods then named me “Kalakaleshvara.” Whoever worships the god Kalakaleshvara with devotion, O beautiful one, will be blessed by the brahmins, and discord will not arise in his household. His wife will be virtuous, attractive, and fortunate, O beloved. Those who behold the god Kalakaleshvara on the fourteenth day, O daughter of the mountain, will have no fear of enemies. This, O Devi, is what I have told you—the power that destroys all sin. By seeing him, one is freed even from the sins incurred by crossing over discarded offerings. Now, O fortunate one, I shall tell you in detail his splendid power.