Even Prajāpati himself does not truly know my supreme form. O illustrious one, the radiance you see in the form of the Liṅga—this is a mystery that even the highest beings cannot fully comprehend. Only yogis, purified through countless births and by my grace, are able to perceive it. Īśvara continued: By merely seeing whom a man becomes stainless and pure, let me tell you of ancient times. There was Atri, greatly fortunate, a mind-born son of Brahmā himself. His son was Soma, the Moon, and then, through a share of the mothers, came Dakṣa. Among Soma’s wives, Rohiṇī was the best, though all the others too were honored. One day, the other wives came before Dakṣa and spoke as was fitting. But Dakṣa, overtaken by anger, could not be restrained. He remained steadfast in his wrath, and thus, Dakṣa pronounced a curse upon Soma. At that very moment, Soma, afflicted by the curse, disappeared from sight. Abandoning his manifold forms, he left behind his eternal body of water and vanished. Hidden by Daksha’s curse, Soma went to the abode of Brahmā, the lord of creation, accompanied by the radiant deities. In Brahmā’s presence, they bowed and spoke again and again, seeking his protection: “O Creator, lord of offerings to gods and ancestors, protect us who have sought your refuge!” Brahmā comforted the gods with gentle and affectionate words, assuring them that the blessed Lord Vishnu alone would bring an end to the curse. Freed from distress by Brahmā’s words, the gods approached Vishnu, the refuge of all. Together with Brahmā, O goddess, they offered praise with concentrated minds: “Salutations to you, Hrishikesha, ancestor of the great person. O Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, the gods have sought refuge in you. Truly, you are our supreme god, the highest among all, even those beginning with Brahmā. Without Soma, O Lord, the herbs on earth have perished.” Vishnu replied, “Abandon fear, O immortals; I grant you freedom from fear.” Having thus spoken, the blessed Lord dismissed the lords of the gods. Yet, he warned, “When remembered but not approached, Janārdana becomes angry. Let the gods and the hosts of asuras churn the ocean with the vessel. There you will obtain ambrosia and various kinds of jewels. Use Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vāsuki as the rope; perform the churning.” “O Goddess,” the Lord continued, “formerly, for the sake of Soma, the Asuras and Dānavas joined the gods in this great task. All the gods together held the tail of the serpent for that reason. Raising the serpent’s head, again and again they cast it downward. In the process, many aquatic creatures were crushed beneath the great mountain.” As the churning continued, O Goddess, with great effort from Keshava, something wondrous began to emerge. The gods, men, and ancestors all beheld it with awe. Then, as it fully manifested, the blessed Lord Keshava spoke. Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the Moon was restored to protect all beings. Before him, Nārada quickly recounted everything that had transpired. Yet, oppressed by Daksha’s curse, Soma again began to fade and disappear. Approaching, as one afflicted by the curse, Soma spoke falteringly. “This is my first son,” said Brahmā, “greatly afflicted by the Moon’s decline.” Then, by the power of Vishnu, strength was firmly restored to Chandra, the Moon. Seeing the slayer of Madhu, Brahmā spoke to Vishnu, acknowledging his unfathomable grace and the restoration of balance to the cosmos.