Whoever worships with true devotion the liṅga that is venerated by Indra, the king of the gods, attains great merit. When the god Indreśvara is properly honored with devotion, it is as if the sages and all the guardians of the worlds themselves are worshipped—there can be no doubt of this truth. Once, the gods themselves approached Śakra—another name for Indra—together with those from Vaikuṇṭha and other divine realms, and were satisfied by the power and grace of Indreśvara. Thus, the wondrous might of the god Indreśvara has been recounted. It is said that by merely beholding Indreśvara, a person may be blessed with a son. Now, there was a sage named Mṛkaṇḍu, born in the illustrious lineage of Brahmā. Longing for a son, he pondered deeply: “How might I obtain a son?” Resolute in his desire, he decided, “Therefore, I shall undertake austerity, by which I may be granted a son.” With a purified mind, Mṛkaṇḍu established his dwelling in a sacred place and began his penance. He lived on vegetables, roots, and fruits, sometimes subsisting on just one or two leaves. In this way, the sage performed severe austerities there for twelve long years. His penance was so intense that it illuminated the mountain with his radiance, drying up reservoirs and disturbing the natural order. The oceans were agitated, as were the sun and the moon themselves. The gods grew concerned: “O Lord, if this continues, an untimely dissolution of the world will surely occur.” Moved by his devotion, the gods declared, “Let a son be given to that sage, Mṛkaṇḍa. Let him be imperishable, O wide-eyed one, like another thousand-eyed Indra himself. O queen of the gods, this great sage desires a son with the hue and eyes of a blue lotus petal.” Out of compassion, the goddess too spoke again, moved by the devotion she witnessed: “How are you, O Lord, praised by the wise as the giver of the fruits of austerities? You cause both gods and demons to tremble. No one else would grant me the supreme boon for the sake of compassion. Truly, it is because the great lord Maheśa is ever compassionate and devoted to his devotees.” She continued, “Through austerity, when sin is exhausted and the mind is purified, one attains Brahmanhood.” Thus, with affectionate and auspicious words, the goddess described the Lord: “O mother of Skanda, whose face is as radiant as the full moon, O elephant-gaited one, you said, ‘I will accomplish what you have spoken.’ You are illusion, fortune, radiance, the stream of faith and beauty. You shine in many forms, bewildering the entire world.” Meanwhile, the sage’s body was worn and exhausted by his austerities. I too, said the Lord, have spoken—listen carefully: “In the east of Pattaneśvara stands a supreme liṅga. If you worship this liṅga with devotion, you will surely obtain an excellent son.” Thus prompted, the brāhmaṇa Mṛkaṇḍu resolved to act as instructed. He went and worshipped the great liṅga, the bestower of sons and destroyer of sins. After some time, I, Śarva, together with the goddess, appeared before him. I spoke: “Know that I am Śarva. Tell me, what shall I do for you? Whatever boon you desire, O Brahman, that I shall grant you today.” With deep devotion, the best of sages, Mṛkaṇḍu, joyfully spoke from his heart. Then, O goddess, I declared: “Mṛkaṇḍa, the best of sages, endowed with prosperity and knowledge, shall be long-lived, all-knowing, and wise.” At that very moment, O goddess, the great ascetic appeared, and thus the boon was fulfilled.