For those who are devoted to fasting, all their sins are completely destroyed. Moreover, if a man is without a son, or if a woman is sincerely devoted, they will quickly be blessed with a good son—there is no doubt about this. Such a devotee will see all enemies defeated and even gain sovereignty. At this time, Agni himself spoke, declaring: “Whoever comes here and performs the sacred śrāddha rite with purity, O human, shall never experience even the slightest fear of premature death. O goddess, such a person will never be troubled by departed spirits anywhere. He will remain ever pure, both in this world and the next. Wherever he offers gifts to the Brāhmaṇas, he will be free from disease, and under no circumstance will he be destitute in this world. Indeed, happiness will always be his, both here and in the world beyond.” Then the Vasus proclaimed: “Whoever properly undertakes fasting for three nights, and those who give umbrellas and footwear, will attain eternal worlds. Such a person will become especially renowned in the hermitage and celebrated among people. For seven successive births, he will be endowed with beauty and will gain the fruits equal to a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa observances.” By the divine command, the goddess ascended to heaven and remained there. Inspired by her presence, mortals who had seen the goddess in that hermitage too ascended to heaven. In her absence, all great rites such as Agniṣṭoma disappeared from the earth. Disturbed by this, Sahasrākṣa, afflicted by confusion, thirst, and the fatigue arising from home and offspring, consulted with his teacher. He was advised: “By my command, serve at the sacred shrine of Caṇḍikā.” Following this instruction, all his worldly desires and troubles swiftly vanished. “Knowing this, O best of kings, go quickly there. 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 obtained; by the second, heaven is indeed won. Therefore, with all effort, one should undertake the journey there.” Other sacred places are certainly purified by bathing and giving, without doubt. Furthermore, whoever hears this account regularly with faith, or in whose house this story is kept written in a book, or who recites it with faith, will be blessed. Now, there was a lovely mountain slope where the serpents performed austerities. Long ago, having heard of Kadru’s curse, all the serpents were filled with fear. They lamented, “We are tormented by our mother’s curse, O best of serpents. She declared: ‘Those who are devoted to austerity, righteous and well-disciplined, the fire will not burn them in the sacrifice of Parīkṣit. There, you should be devoted to austerity, well-concentrated. By her mere mention, all calamities are surely destroyed. By her grace, you all shall become free from affliction; whether divine or human, none else can grant you liberation.’” Having bowed reverently, the serpents then departed toward Mount Arbuda, seeking deliverance through austerity and devotion.