When fear had gripped the immortals, the blessed Lord spoke with compassion, saying, “Abandon fear, O immortals; I grant you freedom from fear.” With these reassuring words, He dismissed the lords of the gods, sending them forth with confidence. Yet, He cautioned them: when Janardana is remembered but not approached, He becomes angry. Therefore, He instructed that the gods and the hosts of asuras should churn the ocean together, using the vessel. There, He promised, they would obtain ambrosia and many kinds of jewels. He further directed them to use Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki, the serpent, as the rope. Thus, they were to perform the great churning. Addressing the goddess, He recalled that, for the sake of Soma, the Asuras and Danavas had previously joined in this endeavor. All the gods, for that reason, stood at the serpent’s tail, and repeatedly raised Vasuki’s head, casting it downward as they churned. During this mighty task, the great mountain crushed many aquatic creatures in the ocean’s depths. As the churning continued, Keshava exerted great effort, and something extraordinary began to arise—visible to gods, men, and ancestors alike. Upon witnessing its manifestation, the Blessed Lord Keshava spoke. Vasudeva addressed the Moon, instructing him to protect all beings. Before Him, Narada quickly recounted everything that had transpired. But Soma, oppressed by Daksha’s curse, soon disappeared from sight. When he arrived, as the curse dictated, he spoke falteringly. A father, greatly afflicted by the Moon’s suffering, declared, “This is my first son, greatly afflicted by the Moon.” But Vishnu, with steadfast power, restored strength to Chandra. Seeing the slayer of Madhu, Brahma spoke to Vishnu, explaining Chandra’s affliction by the new moon, and recounted the story again and again before Brahma. For the sake of the former moon, Brahma, revered by all worlds, offered salutations to Krishna, Vishnu, and the victorious one—repeating his praises: “Victory to you, Govinda, of great power! Victory to you, Vishnu! Victory to you, Padmanabha!” At that time, Brahma, the creator of worlds, also praised the goddess. Then Brahma instructed Soma, “Go, at my command, to the most excellent Mahākāla forest; worship there with effort—he will grant you a body.” Thus, repeatedly addressed by Vāsudeva and Brahma, the virtuous Soma, upon seeing the liṅga, offered his praises with a heartfelt hymn. Chandra proclaimed: “Salutations to the god of gods, the three-eyed, the great-souled one; to the great god, bearer of the trident, attended by spirits and goblins; to the destroyer of Pūṣan’s teeth, and slayer of Andhaka; to the wild one with hair standing upwards, to Bhairava—salutations, salutations! To the destroyer of the Daru forest, wielder of the sharp trident; to the one holding a fierce staff, whose mouth is like submarine fire; to the destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, the one who causes fear in the world, matted-haired and fierce—salutations to you, lord of all gods.” Though invisible, Candra continued his praise. Pleased by this hymn, the great Lord asked, “Speak, Soma, what do you desire?” Soma replied, “By your grace, O Lord, I wish for brilliance, radiance, form, and beauty. By your favor, O great Lord, I wish to regain my own state.” Through the grace of this liṅga, the king of the twice-born obtained what he sought. Therefore, throughout the three worlds, the place became renowned as Someśvara.