The Vasus, divine beings, spoke with authority: “Whoever, for three nights, undertakes fasting with proper observance, and those who give umbrellas and footwear to others, will attain eternal worlds.” Such acts bring immense merit; the giver becomes renowned in the hermitage, celebrated among people. For seven successive births, they are endowed with beauty, and they obtain the fruit equal to a thousand Cāndrāyaṇa observances. By this command, the goddess ascended to heaven and remained there, radiating her presence. Mortals who witnessed the goddess in that hermitage also ascended to heaven. In time, all rites such as Agniṣṭoma disappeared from the earth. Sahasrākṣa, frightened by these losses, consulted his teacher, afflicted by confusion, thirst, and fatigue brought on by the burdens of home and offspring. His teacher instructed him: “By my command, serve at the sacred shrine of Caṇḍikā.” Upon hearing this, all his desires and afflictions swiftly departed. Knowing the truth of these words, the teacher urged, “Go quickly there, O best of kings. Whoever goes to see Caṇḍikā at Aburda, O king, that son who resides in this hermitage will deliver all of us. By one, the kingdom is obtained; by the second, heaven itself. Therefore, with all effort, one should undertake the journey there.” Other sacred places, too, are purified by bathing and giving, without doubt. Whoever hears this account always, endowed with faith, or in whose house this story is kept written in a book, or who recites it with devotion, is blessed. On the lovely mountain slope, the serpents gathered where they had performed austerities. Having long ago 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 that those who are devoted to austerity, righteous, and well-disciplined, will not be burned by the fire in Parīkṣit’s sacrifice.” Thus, the serpents resolved: “Here, we should be devoted to austerity, well-concentrated. By whose mere mention, calamities are surely destroyed.” They recognized that only by the goddess’s grace could they become free from affliction; whether divine or human, none else could grant them liberation. Having bowed to the serpent king, they departed toward Mount Arbuda. There, they broke through the earth’s surface on the mountain and, steadfast in their vows and devotion to the goddess, remained. The serpents continually performed sacred fire offerings and recited the highest prayers. Some used their teeth as mortars, others crushed offerings with stones. Among the gods, some performed singing and music in front. The goddess, greatly pleased, appeared and spoke: “I am satisfied with you, children. For what purpose is this austerity undertaken?” The serpents replied, “On the command of the serpent king, we have come to you for refuge. Protect us from the fear arising from the curse and the fire; in Parikṣit’s sacrifice, the fire will consume us.” The goddess, compassionate and powerful, assured them: “Remain without fear and enjoy abundant pleasures.” Thus, by their devotion and the goddess’s grace, the serpents found refuge and liberation from their impending doom.