One should always protect prosperity from the dangers of anger, and guard wealth from the corrosive force of jealousy. Reflecting upon this, the king confessed, “Out of ignorance, O divine one, I committed sin, led astray by the pride that comes with royalty.” In the aftermath of his actions, all the Brahmins, now satisfied, joyfully addressed him with these words: “O king, you shall become an eater of flesh for a certain period.” Yet, there was one who, submerged in water, uttered, “Salutations to Nārāyaṇa.” And in the same way, the king himself spoke, “Salutations to Nārāyaṇa.” By the grace of this virtuous act, the speaker was blessed to be born with a divine body. He then said, “Accept a boon from me, and let any doubt that lingers in your heart be dispelled. By giving you this instruction, I am freed from my obligation.” Hearing these words, the Brahmin with the divine body was filled with joy. “Today my knowledge is fruitful; today my austerity is fruitful,” he declared. After hearing the words spoken by the god and bathing as prescribed, embodied beings beheld a body made of pure light—the eternal form of Brahman itself. The Brahmin said, “I wish to know the reason for this; the question has long remained in my heart. Even though I practiced yoga with devotion for thirteen years, a doubt has arisen within me. Please tell me the cause in detail.” Hearing this sincere inquiry, the other responded in gentle tones: “O sage, liberation is very difficult to attain without swiftly worshipping Mahādeva. Listen attentively, O Brahmin, and make every effort as is proper. When I was cursed by those Brahmins, I accepted it with satisfaction, knowing its deeper purpose. O best of Brahmins, one who desires liberation at the time of great death attains liberation. Then, before that Liṅga, the Lord of Liberation, you must speak. Indeed, the karma marked in previous lives does not easily leave the embodied being.” Upon hearing these words, the Brahmin, foremost knower of Brahman, replied, “By fortune you have come, O king; by fortune I have met you.” Having thus spoken, the king and the Brahmin together approached the sacred Mukti Liṅga. In that very moment, both their bodies dissolved and merged into the Liṅga. By the touch of this Liṅga, liberation is attained—there is no other way. Even one beset with sin reaches the supreme state through it. O fools, what use are mere austerities, what use are gifts and observances? Not even the hosts of gods, nor the Asuras, nor the great sages know me truly. Even Prajāpati himself does not know my supreme form. O illustrious one, this radiance that you see in the form of the Liṅga—yogis purified by many births perceive it through my grace. Īśvara then declared: “By merely seeing whom a man becomes stainless—” and began to recount an ancient tale. There was once Atri, greatly fortunate, the mind-born son of Brahmā. His son was Soma, and then, through a share of the mothers, Dakṣa was born. Among Soma’s wives, Rohiṇī was considered the best. The other wives, having gathered, spoke as was fitting before Dakṣa. But when Dakṣa, enraged, could not be restrained, he remained steadfast in his anger. Thus cursed, Soma at that very moment disappeared from sight.