Lomasha said: O Yudhishthira, hear all in detail as I narrate the story which you have asked me to relate. O child, in the days of yore, in a terrible time in the Treta Yuga the ancient and primeval deity performed the duties of Yama.
लोमश उवाच यत् तेऽहं परिपृष्टोऽस्मि कथामेतां युधिष्ठिर। तत् सर्वमखिलेनेह श्रूयतां मम भाषतः॥ पुरा कृतयुगे तात वर्तमाने भयंकरे। यमत्वं कारयामास आदिदेवः पुरातनः॥