Parvati, filled with joy, spoke through the sacred liṅga, granting her blessing: "So be it." She declared that simply by beholding this liṅga, one attains long life. Whoever gazes upon the liṅga of Kaṃthaḍeśvara, the Lord, she explained, is freed from the bondage of sin and assured of liberation. Even by uttering her name, all sins are purified. Yet, Parvati lamented that those who do not honor this liṅga are unfortunate, their birth wasted. She revealed to the goddess the immense power of this liṅga—its capacity to destroy sin. Continuing, Shiva explained to Parvati that this liṅga bestows great accomplishment and can even absolve the grave sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. He then recounted an ancient tale: Prajāpati Tvaṣṭṛ, the lord of creatures, had a son named Kuśadhvaja. When Tvaṣṭṛ learned that his beloved son had been slain, his heart burned with anger. He proclaimed, "Today, let the three worlds and the gods witness my power! By whom, intent on his own duty, my son was struck down." From Tvaṣṭṛ’s fury, Vṛtra arose, wreathed in a garland of flames—a mighty demon, magnified by Tvaṣṭṛ’s energy and the sworn enemy of Indra, king of the gods. When Indra saw Vṛtra, he feared for his own life. The formidable Vṛtra arrived and initiated a fierce battle. The earth was stained red with blood as bodies and armor were shattered. Headless corpses piled up, and the armies of the gods assembled. The quarters of the sky were reddened by waves of gushing blood. Vṛtra bound Vāsava, another name for Indra, and went to the world of the gods. With Indra imprisoned, the wise Bṛhaspati approached him, offering blessings. He warned, "This is not a favorable time for you, lord of the gods. I have seen all the foremost great demons there. Each one alone could defeat you, such is their might." Hearing this, Indra grew anxious and asked Bṛhaspati, "What should be done? Vṛtra is exceedingly strong, and they will come for me." Bṛhaspati replied, "In the beautiful great Kāla forest, to the south of Khaṇḍeśvara, worship the supreme liṅga with devotion, and your desire will be granted." He instructed Indra to offer salutations to Śaṅkara, the bull-bannered one, the most excellent god who grants all desires. He praised Shiva: "You alone are the primal creator of beings; you alone, as Time, destroy all creatures. You are the moon, the sun, the wind; you are the sustainer, the creator, the supreme ancient one; you are Mahākāla, the bull, the remover of obstacles, and the bestower of secret boons." Hearing this heartfelt praise, the liṅga spoke to Indra: "You will slay Vṛtra, the destroyer of foes—there is no doubt." By the greatness of that liṅga, from the foam of the waters, Indra was empowered. After slaying the fierce Dānavas in battle, Indra and the gods, through Shiva’s power, attained lordship over the three worlds. By the grace of this god, the great demon Vṛtra was slain. It was because Indra worshipped the great god Maheśvara that he triumphed. By seeing this liṅga, the splendid city of Indra was preserved. Whoever beholds daily the liṅga named Śrī Indreśvara receives the blessings and power that once saved the king of the gods.