Once, the serpent named Kambala departed for the ancestral realm, leaving behind the world of mortals. Meanwhile, Kaliya, seized by overwhelming fear, sought refuge by hiding himself deep in the waters of the sacred Yamuna. In time, all the great serpent-kings and Nāgas—including the mighty Dhṛtarāṣṭra—journeyed together to the holy land of Prayāga. Amidst these events, a young goddess, standing in her mother’s lap, offered her respectful salutations and spoke with humility: “O god, in your presence, our angry mother once cursed us. She foretold that King Janamejaya would one day perform a terrible serpent-sacrifice. At her command, I am to go to the vast and mysterious Kāla forest. There, I must worship the Lord of the gods near the place called Māyā.” Obedient and focused, Karkoṭa, another illustrious serpent, traveled to that very forest and devoted himself in worship. Pleased by such unwavering devotion, the Lord of the gods granted him a boon: “Those cruel Daṃdaśūka serpents, filled with wickedness and venom—because of your faith and devotion today, I am pleased. You shall be united with me.” From that moment on, the god Maheśvara became known as Karkoṭakeśvara, the Lord revered by serpents. It was declared that anyone who, with true devotion, worships this god would find release from all afflictions: the sick would be freed from disease, the sorrowful from their grief. Those who regularly behold Karkoṭakeśvara, especially on sacred days—the fifth, the fourteenth, or on the day of the sun—would find their misfortunes reversed. Even a woman plagued by ill fate would attain good fortune; childhood ailments would be banished, and none would fear untimely death. Whatever desire a devoted person holds in their heart, that wish would be granted, for such is the sin-destroying power of Karkoṭakeśvara. Then Śrī Mahādeva spoke to the goddess: “Know, O Devi, that the eleventh liṅga is known as Siddheśvara, the auspicious one. In ancient times, in the Daru forest, there lived Brāhmaṇas who were deeply immersed in yoga. Some sustained themselves on vegetables, others on nothing at all, and yet others survived on mere leaves. Some delighted in the hero’s posture, while others practiced the art of drinking smoke. There were those who, composed and resolute, undertook severe vows such as Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa. Yet, despite their efforts, they were afflicted by suffering and wondered, ‘How shall we attain perfection?’ The scriptures once sung by the sages seemed to bear no fruit for them. They tried remedies—collyrium, medicinal pills, and walking with sandals—yet their minds, despite being accomplished in contemplation, grew filled with intense indignation. At that very moment, a voice rang out from the heavens, bodiless and clear: ‘Do not disregard the truth, O noble ones, that the scriptures may seem fruitless on earth. Yet, here, ascetics, you shall attain perfection. Know this: from desire arises the loss of austerity, and from ego, bewilderment. Only he who is free from rivalry, devoid of desire and anger, who is guided by pure intention, single-minded and composed, who regards the wives of others as mothers and the wealth of others as mere clods of earth—in such a person, O Brahmins, true ascetic power and success are found. Perfection cannot be attained otherwise, even in a thousand years. Therefore, all of you, with focused minds, go to the great Kāla forest. By seeing that god, supreme accomplishment is attained. By worshipping him with devotion, the highest perfection is reached.’ It is said that even for the mighty King Vasumat, mastery of the sword was once very difficult to obtain, but through devotion and seeking the Lord, all attainments become possible. Thus, the power of devotion, the sanctity of Karkoṭakeśvara, and the path to perfection were revealed to gods, serpents, and sages alike.