O wise king, listen to this wondrous tale as it was spoken: Once, you journeyed through the fierce realms of Raurava, Kumbhipaka, and the dreadful Maharaurava, suffering the torments assigned by Yama himself. In the crucible of pain, and torn upon the sword-leaf, you were given the form of a crab, O ruler of the earth, as ordained by the Lord of Dharma. Yet, the merit of whatever you had offered—gifts, recitations, sacrifices, and worship to the gods—remained with you, shaping your destiny. By the power of that accumulated karma, you were placed in your next birth. Once, in that form, you slowly made your way to the riverbank to play. Then, hurled through the sky’s path, you were struck violently by a mighty bird. The agitated wind released you from the bird’s beak, and you were cast down swiftly by Shiva’s will, suffering from the bird’s grasp and its rough shaking. When you finally abandoned that worn-out body, just as that crab did long ago, it was by the greatness of the liṅga that you were elevated and became lord of the Vidyādharas. Ascending to heaven, you were respectfully welcomed by the hosts of gods. The Rudras then related all these events to the ancient gods, declaring, “O lords of the gods, this is the power of that liṅga which has now manifested.” Freed from the crab’s womb, you attained the happiness of heaven. From that time, the god became known as Karkaṭeśvara. Afterward, you returned to earth and received a kingdom free from obstacles. Therefore, O king, you are urged to worship the liṅga again with devotion, for your previous karma has now been remembered. O Pārvatī, those who merge into that liṅga with their own bodies—after enjoying the pleasures of earth for a long time—finally attain the highest state. Those who regularly behold the god Karkaṭeśvara, shining with celestial radiance, have their desires fulfilled. They experience divine enjoyments, surrounded by thousands of delightful women, and, after such pleasures, reside in the abode of Viṣṇu for a period. Thereafter, joyfully reaching Brahmā’s world from Viṣṇu’s, they gain the merit of performing the ten-horse sacrifice simply by pilgrimage to holy places. Indeed, by merely seeing Karkaṭeśvara, all accomplishments are attained. At the root of the king, O great goddess, are prosperity, security, and good rains. The king existed in every age—Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali. O Pārvatī, in this world there was once a king named Madāndha. At the junction of Kali and Dvāpara, due to his own fault, the thousand-eyed Indra withheld the rains and became contrary in his actions. The rivers shrank, some vanished entirely, and agriculture and cattle-keeping were destroyed; even the markets ceased to function. Cities became desolate, villages were burned down, and the people abandoned their hermitages, wandering aimlessly. All creation, both moving and unmoving, was uprooted. In their distress, all beings sought refuge with Janārdana, the god of gods, the shelter of all. From Brahmā’s world and all other realms, they approached him whose virtues are incomparable and auspicious. By his own will, he created a palace, a bed, and a seat for himself, thus manifesting his compassion and power.