नराः सत्पुत्रमिच्छंति कुलवंशप्रभावकम् । स्त्रियो लोके महाभागाः सुपुण्याः पुण्यवत्सलाः
Men desire a worthy son, one who brings glory to the family line. In this world, blessed women, full of merit and love for virtue,
सुतमिच्छंति सर्वत्र पुण्यांगं पुण्यसाधकम् । कुक्षिं यस्या गतो गर्भः सुपुण्यः परिवर्त्तते
always wish for a son who is virtuous and the accomplisher of good deeds. When a meritorious embryo enters a woman's womb, great merit is set in motion.
पुण्यान्पुत्रान्प्रसूयेत सा नारी पुण्यभागिनी । कुलाचारं कुलाधारं पितृमातृप्रतारकम्
A woman endowed with merit gives birth to virtuous sons—upholders of family tradition, the foundation of the lineage, and the honor of their father and mother.
विना पुण्यैः कथं नारी संप्राप्नोति सुतोत्तमम् । न जाने कीदृशैः पुण्यैरेष भर्ता सुपुण्यभाक्
Without merit, how could a woman obtain an excellent son? I do not know by what merits this husband is so greatly blessed.
संजातो धर्मवीर्योपि धर्मात्मा धर्मवत्सलः । यस्य वीर्यान्मया प्राप्ता यूयं पुत्रास्ततोधिकाः
He was born with the strength of righteousness, devoted to virtue and loving righteousness. By his power I have obtained you, sons, who are even greater.
एवं पुण्यप्रभावोयं भवंतः पुण्यवत्सलाः । मम पुत्रास्तु संजाताः पितृभक्तिपरायणाः
Such is the power of merit—therefore, you are all devoted to virtue. My sons have been born, devoted to honoring their father.
अहो लोकेषु पुण्यैश्च सुपुत्रः परिलभ्यते । एकैकशोधिकाः पंच मया प्राप्ता महाशयाः
Indeed, in the worlds, a good son is obtained through merit. I have gained five noble sons, each surpassing the other.
यज्वानः पुण्यशीलाश्च तपस्तेजः पराक्रमाः । एवं संवर्धितास्ते तु तया मात्रा पुनः पुनः
They are sacrificers, virtuous in conduct, possessing ascetic power, brilliance, and valor. Thus, they have been raised again and again by their mother.
हर्षेण महताविष्टाः प्रणेमुर्मातरं सुताः । पुत्रा ऊचुः- सुपुण्यैः प्राप्यते माता सन्माता सुपिता किल
Filled with great joy, the sons bowed to their mother and said: 'A mother is obtained by great merit, a true mother and a worthy father indeed.'
भवती पुण्यकृन्माता नो भाग्यैस्तु प्रवर्तिता । यस्या गर्भोदरं प्राप्य सुपुण्यैश्च प्रवर्द्धिताः
'You are a mother who performs meritorious deeds, not merely led by fortune. Having entered your womb and been raised with merit,'
जन्मजन्मनि त्वं माता पिता चैव भविष्यथः । पितोवाच- शृणुध्वं मामकाः पुत्राः सुवरं पुण्यदायकम्
'in every birth you will be our mother and father.' The father said: 'Listen, my sons, to this excellent, merit-giving boon.'
मयि तुष्टे सुता भोगा ननु भुंजंतु चाक्षयान् । पुत्रा ऊचुः- यदि तात प्रसन्नोसि वरं दातुमिहेच्छसि
'If I am pleased, my sons, may you enjoy inexhaustible pleasures.' The sons said: 'If, father, you are pleased and wish to grant a boon,'
अस्मान्प्रेषय गोलोकं वैष्णवं दाहवर्जितम् । पितोवाच- गच्छध्वं वैष्णवं लोकं यूयं विगतकल्मषाः
'send us to Goloka, the Vaishnava world, free from burning.' The father said: 'Go to the Vaishnava world, you who are free from sin.'
मत्प्रसादात्तपोभिश्च पितृभक्त्यानया स्वया । एवमुक्ते तु तेनापि सुवाक्ये ऋषिणा ततः
'By my grace, by asceticism, and by this devotion to your father.' When these auspicious words were spoken by the sage,
शंखचक्रगदापाणिर्गरुडारूढ आगतः । सपुत्रं शिवशर्माणमित्युवाच पुनः पुनः
Then, the one with conch, discus, and mace in hand, mounted on Garuda, arrived and repeatedly addressed Shivaśarman with his sons:
सपुत्रेण त्वयाद्यैव जितो भक्त्यास्मि वै द्विज । पुत्रैः सार्द्धं समागच्छ चतुर्भिः पुण्यकारिभिः
'Today, O twice-born, you have conquered me with devotion together with your sons. Come with your four sons, doers of merit.'
अनया भार्यया सार्द्धं पुण्यया पतिकाम्यया । शिवशर्मोवाच- अमी गच्छंतु पुत्रा मे वैष्णवं लोकमुत्तमम्
With this virtuous wife, who is devoted to her husband, Shiva Sharma said: May my sons go to the supreme Vaishnava world.
कंचित्कालं तु नेष्यामि भूमौ वै भार्यया सह । अनेनापि सुपुत्रेण अंत्येन सोमशर्मणा
For some time, I will remain on earth with my wife, along with this good son, the youngest, Soma Sharma.
एवमुक्ते शुभे वाक्ये ऋषिणा सत्यभाषिणा । तानुवाचाथ देवेशः सुपुत्राञ्छिवशर्मणः
When the truthful sage spoke these auspicious words, then the Lord of the gods addressed Shiva Sharma's good sons.
गच्छंतु मोक्षदं लोकं दाहप्रलयवर्जितम् । एवमुक्ते ततो विप्राश्चत्वारः सत्यचेतसः
Let them go to the world that grants liberation, free from burning and destruction. When this was said, the four truthful-minded Brahmins,
विष्णुरूपधराः सर्वे बभूवुस्तत्क्षणादपि । इंद्रनीलसमावर्णैः शंखचक्रगदाधराः
All at once, they took on the form of Vishnu, with the color of blue sapphires, holding conch, discus, and mace.
सर्वाभरणसौभाग्या विष्णुरूपा महौजसः । हारकंकणशोभाढ्या रत्नमालाभिशोभिताः
Adorned with all ornaments and prosperity, in the form of Vishnu, of great splendor, radiant with necklaces and bracelets, shining with garlands of gems.
सूर्यतेजःप्रतीकाशास्तेजोज्वालाभिरावृताः । प्रविष्टा वैष्णवं कायं पश्यतः शिवशर्मणः
Resembling the brilliance of the sun, surrounded by blazing radiance, they entered the Vaishnava body as Shiva Sharma watched.
दीपं दीपा यथा यांति तद्वल्लीना महामते । गतास्ते वैष्णवं धाम पितृभक्त्या द्विजोत्तमाः
Just as many lamps merge into one, so did those excellent Brahmins, through devotion to their father, attain the Vaishnava abode.
प्रभावं तु प्रवक्ष्यामि सुसत्यं सोमशर्मणः
Now I will truly declare the power of Soma Sharma.
सूत उवाच- गतेषु तेषु गोलोकं वैष्णवं तमसः परम् । शिवशर्मा महाप्राज्ञः कनिष्ठं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Suta said: When they had gone to Goloka, the Vaishnava realm beyond darkness, the wise Shiva Sharma spoke to his youngest son.
ब्राह्मण उवाच- सोमशर्मन्महाप्राज्ञ त्वं पितुर्भक्तितत्परः । अमृतस्य महाकुंभं रक्ष दत्तं मयाधुना
The Brahmin said: Soma Sharma, wise one, you are devoted to your father; now protect the great vessel of nectar that I give you.
तीर्थयात्रां प्रयास्यामि अनया भार्यया सह । एवमस्तु महाभाग करिष्ये रक्षणं शुभम्
I will go on a pilgrimage with this wife. So be it, O fortunate one, I will protect the vessel well.
कुंभं दत्वा स मेधावी तस्य हस्ते महात्मनः । दशवर्षप्रमाणं तु तपस्तेपे निरंतरम्
Giving the vessel into the hand of that noble son, the wise one performed uninterrupted austerity for ten years.
कुंभं रक्षति धर्मात्मा दिवारात्रमतंद्रितः । पुनः स हि समायातः शिवशर्मा महायशाः
The righteous Soma Sharma guarded the vessel day and night without fatigue; then Shiva Sharma, renowned, returned again.