Question

I could not remember (then) what our purpose was
but remembered the name Mahakala, in the dawn

in the dawn confronted Shiva, the cold light
revealed the “mindborn” worlds

These allusions connect to the title of the poem by
reinforcing that the New Year is built from the end of the old.
indicating that the New Year happens in “cold” light.
explaining how each New Year is like a new planet.
establishing that spirituality will be important in the New Year.

Answer 1

reinforcing that the New Year is built from the end of the old.

Mahākāla and Śiva are figures of time, death, and destruction that enable renewal; dawn signals a new beginning and “mindborn” worlds suggests creation following dissolution — together they stress cyclical ending → rebirth.