O Devi, hear now the tale of Soma, the moon god, who was afflicted and diminished by the curse of the new moon. In his suffering, Soma approached Brahmā again and again, recounting his plight and seeking relief from his waning form. Moved by compassion, Brahmā, the creator of the worlds, turned his mind and prayers toward the supreme Lord Viṣṇu, who is venerated throughout the three worlds. With deep reverence, Brahmā offered salutations: “Salutations to Kṛṣṇa, salutations to Viṣṇu, salutations to the victorious one—again and again, salutations! Victory to you, Govinda of immeasurable power! Victory to you, Viṣṇu! Victory to you, Padmanābha!” Thus, at that auspicious hour, Brahmā praised the goddess as well, acknowledging her power and grace. Then Brahmā addressed Soma, saying, “Go, at my command, to the sacred and most excellent Mahākāla forest. There, worship the great Lord with all your heart and effort; he will restore your body and brilliance.” Thus, both Vāsudeva and Brahmā repeatedly urged Soma to seek the blessings of the great liṅga in that holy place. Obedient and virtuous, Soma journeyed to Mahākāla forest. Upon beholding the liṅga, he began to praise the Lord with a heartfelt hymn: “Salutations to the god of gods, the three-eyed one, the great-souled Mahādeva! Salutations to the mighty bearer of the trident, attended by spirits and goblins. Salutations to the destroyer of Pūṣan’s teeth, the slayer of Andhaka! Salutations to the wild one, his hair standing on end, to Bhairava—again and again, salutations! Salutations to the destroyer of the Daru forest, wielder of the sharp trident; to the one holding a fierce staff, whose mouth blazes like the submarine fire. Salutations to the destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, the one who inspires fear throughout the world, the matted-haired, the fierce—salutations to you, Lord of all gods!” Though invisible, Soma continued his praise with devotion. Pleased by these hymns, the great Lord appeared and said, “Speak, Soma—what do you desire?” With folded hands, Soma replied, “By your grace, O Lord, I wish for brilliance, radiance, form, and beauty. By your favor, O great Lord, may I regain my own state, as it was before.” Mahādeva, the compassionate one, granted Soma’s request. “This state was once obtained by the king of the twice-born through the grace of this very liṅga. Therefore, in the three worlds, this liṅga is renowned as Someśvara. Those who perform meritorious deeds here attain the supreme state, freed from the sufferings of birth and death, and merge into me. But those who neither see nor worship the god Someśvara miss this blessing. Someśvara alone is to be worshipped—he is the destroyer of leprosy, the foundation of all worlds. Whoever worships Someśvara is freed, enjoys fearlessness, and dwells long in my realm. “Let golden flowers be offered to the Someśvara liṅga, O beloved goddess. This is the power that destroys all sin. Even by merely seeing this Lord—even in a dream—how could hell arise for such a person?” O Devi, once, in the Kali age, during the era called Vārāha, there arose people who were without boundaries, without foundation, without homes, and who had become atheistic. They neither worshipped the gods nor honored the Brahmins; instead, they performed contemptible deeds. Bound by enmity, they delighted in mutual slaughter. Even Brahmins ate anything and became devoted to falsehood. In those times, O beloved, men with gray hair appeared as early as their sixteenth year. Such men and women, stained with sin, arose everywhere. These sinners suffered dreadful torments: some were split open with axes, their heads cleaved, others cut apart with saws. Some were pierced with sharp iron spikes, or scorched by fire. Others were thrown into heated cauldrons, burned in heaps of fire, or bound with iron chains, hanging with their faces downward. They were tormented by worms, by sharp bees, and by the bites of mosquitoes as well. Such, O goddess, is the power and grace of Mahākāla and Someśvara, and the fate of those who turn away from righteousness.