At the threshold of heaven, O Vāsava, there stands a supreme liṅga. Brahmā advised the gods to worship it swiftly, for the liṅga grants all desires. Hearing these words, the gods were filled with great joy. They beheld the supreme liṅga, the bestower of heaven’s gate and merit, and, radiant with delight, all the gods regained their place in heaven as before. Brahmā then addressed the Gaṇas, instructing them to return, as his teachings were complete. He affirmed that the god who grants the gate of heaven had indeed been seen by the gods. At once, Indra and the other gods, along with their celestial hosts, reached the heavenly gate. The one who bestows access to the heavenly world would become renowned on earth. It was declared that those men who see Śiva, Lord of the Gate of Heaven, in this world—even if only by chance—acquire merit equal to a thousand horse sacrifices. The sins accumulated over a thousand births are destroyed. On the eighth or fourteenth day, or on the day of the moon, O goddess, those who enter Śiva’s presence will not be born again. When that liṅga is worshipped, countless merits are gained. By touching, praising, or worshipping the liṅga, whether with desire or without, those who behold it day after day find their wishes fulfilled. Simply seeing him protects one from poisons. Meanwhile, the serpents, cursed by their mother for breaking her promise, faced a dire fate: in King Janamejaya’s sacrifice, fire would consume them. Fearing for their lives, all the serpents departed to their respective places. Kambala went to the ancestral realm, and Kaliya, overwhelmed by fear, hid himself in the waters of the Yamuna. Later, all the serpent-kings and Nāgas—including Dhṛtarāṣṭra—journeyed to Prayāga. A young serpent, standing in her mother’s lap, bowed and spoke, “O god, our angry mother cursed us in your presence. Soon, King Janamejaya will hold a serpent-sacrifice.” Her mother instructed, “My child, go to the great Kāla forest. Worship the Lord of the gods near the great Māyā.” With deep concentration, Karkoṭa went to the sacred site and worshipped the Lord of the gods. Pleased with his devotion, the Lord granted him a boon: the cruel Daṃdaśūka serpents, wicked and filled with poison, would not harm him. “Today, because of your devotion, I am pleased; you shall attain union with me,” said the Lord. From that day, Maheśvara became known as Karkoṭakeśvara. Whoever worships Karkoṭakeśvara with devotion is freed from disease and sorrow. Those who regularly behold him, especially on the fifth or fourteenth day or on the day of the sun, are blessed. Even a woman who is unfortunate attains good fortune; childhood afflictions are destroyed, and there is no fear of untimely death. Whatever desire a devoted person contemplates in their mind is fulfilled. O Goddess, this power of his, which destroys sin, has thus been revealed to you. Finally, Śrī Mahādeva spoke: “Know, O Goddess, the eleventh liṅga as Siddheśvara, the auspicious one.