O great goddess, your slaying of the most wicked foe was indeed just and righteous. Because of your valor, the kingdom of heaven has been restored to Vāsava, and all the gods are filled with joy. Now, without doubt, they stand ready to grant boons to those who seek them. Here, upon this supreme mountain, let my sacred hermitage arise—a place that shall become renowned everywhere. O gods, know that I shall always remain in this holy abode. O goddess of the gods, those humans who are blessed to behold you in this divine form will be graced with the knowledge of Brahman itself. Because you have performed this fierce and mighty deed—slaying the Dānavas—this hermitage will forever bear your name. Those who, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in the auspicious month of Āśvina, come here to worship you, O goddess, will obtain the same merit as performing the sacred Gayā-śrāddha rite. For those who are devoted to fasting, all their sins will be completely destroyed. Any man without a son, or any devoted woman, will quickly be blessed with a good son—of this, there can be no doubt. Such a devotee will find the destruction of all enemies and the attainment of sovereignty. Then Agni spoke: “Whoever comes here and, with a pure heart, performs the śrāddha rite, O human, will never experience even the slightest fear of untimely death. O goddess, he will never have any fear from departed spirits, wherever he may go. He will remain pure always, in this world and the next. Wherever he gives to the Brāhmaṇas, he will remain free from disease, never destitute under any circumstance. Happiness will be his, both in this life and the next.” The Vasus then declared: “Whoever sincerely fasts here for three nights, and gives gifts such as umbrellas and footwear, will attain eternal worlds. Such a person will become especially renowned in this hermitage, celebrated among people. For seven successive births, he will be endowed with beauty, and will obtain the fruit of a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa observances.” By this divine command, the goddess ascended to heaven and took her place there. And those mortals who beheld her in the hermitage likewise ascended to heaven. In time, however, all the great rites such as Agniṣṭoma vanished from the earth, and Sahasrākṣa, filled with fear and confusion, sought counsel from his teacher. He was afflicted by thirst, fatigue, and the burdens of home and offspring. His teacher advised him: “By my command, serve at the sacred shrine of Caṇḍikā.” Thus instructed, all his worries and desires quickly departed. “Knowing this, go there swiftly, O best of kings. Whoever goes to see Caṇḍikā at Aburda, O king, that son who is in this hermitage will deliver all of us. By one, the kingdom is gained; by another, heaven itself is attained. Therefore, let all effort be made to undertake this journey.” Other sacred places may be purified by bathing and giving, without doubt. But whoever listens to this account with faith, or keeps it written in their house, O king, will be especially blessed.