After suffering defeat at the hands of a formidable foe, the gods turned away in distress. At this moment, Viṣṇu, filled with righteous anger, gazed upon the celestial abodes, witnessing their plight. Suddenly, Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana discus, renowned for its speed and unfailing power, rushed forth to confront the adversary. But when this mighty discus, the slayer of demons, was seized, the enemy grasped Viṣṇu by the feet and struck him forcefully to the ground, casting him far away. Blood mixed with phlegm issued from Viṣṇu’s mouth, and though he was struck with the mace, he did not perish. All the Pramathas, Shiva’s fierce attendants, were overpowered by Viṣṇu’s strength and might. Yet, when they saw me, Shiva, holding the trident, Viṣṇu vanished from sight. Terrified by my presence, his mind seized by fear, he became invisible. O goddess, I then stationed my host at the gate of heaven. I commanded that a careful blockade be made at the gate, ensuring none could pass without my permission. Thus, the gods were expelled, conquered from heaven. With the gate blocked, Indra and the others were overwhelmed with fear. In their presence, I explained everything regarding the blockade of heaven’s gate. Entry became difficult; the gods wondered how they might reach such a heavenly realm again. “O Grandsire,” they pleaded to Brahmā, “without heaven, joy does not arise for us.” Hearing their words, Brahmā spoke: “He is to be praised, worshipped, and saluted; the maker of creation and destruction, the protector, the creator, the capable one, and our supreme refuge. Therefore, with all effort, seek refuge in Śiva. Together with the gods, O Indra, quickly go by my command. At the gate of heaven there is a supreme liṅga, O Vāsava; worship it swiftly, for he will grant you your desire.” Hearing Brahmā’s words, the gods were filled with joy. They saw the supreme liṅga, bestower of heaven’s gate and merit. All of them, illustrious ones, regained heaven as before. To my excellent Gaṇas, whom I had instructed, I said, “Now return.” The god who grants the gate of heaven has been seen by the gods, without doubt. At once, Indra and the other gods and hosts reached the gate of heaven. He who bestows the heavenly world will become renowned on earth. Those men who see Śiva, Lord of the Gate of Heaven, in this world—even by chance—acquire the merit declared to arise from a thousand horse sacrifices. The sin accumulated in a thousand previous births is destroyed. On the eighth, or the fourteenth, or on the day of the moon, O goddess, those who enter my body shall not be born again. When that liṅga is worshipped, ten billion thousands of merits accrue. By touching that liṅga, praising, or worshipping it, whether without desire or with desire, those who see it day by day are blessed. By merely seeing him, one is not overcome by poisons. Meanwhile, the serpents were cursed by their mother for breaking her word. In the sacrifice of Janamejaya, fire will consume them. All then departed to their respective places for the sake of preserving their lives, O illustrious one.