O best of Brahmins, it is said that one who sincerely desires liberation at the time of great death truly attains it. At such a moment, before the Liṅga—the Lord of Liberation—you must speak your heart. Yet, the karma marked from previous actions never abandons the embodied soul. Upon hearing these profound words, the Brāhmin, who was foremost among the knowers of Brahman, spoke warmly to the king: “By fortune you have come, O king; by fortune I have met you.” With these words, the king and the Brāhmin together approached the Mukti Liṅga, the sacred emblem of freedom. In that very moment, as they stood before the Liṅga, both their bodies dissolved into its divine form. By the touch of this Liṅga, liberation is attained—there is no other way. Even those burdened by sin may reach the supreme state through its grace. What use are austerities, gifts, and observances, O fools? The hosts of gods, the Asuras, and even the great sages do not know me. Prajāpati himself cannot truly grasp my supreme form. O illustrious one, the radiance seen in the form of the Liṅga is the essence of my being. Yogis purified by countless births, through my grace, may perceive this brilliance. Īśvara declared: By merely seeing whom, a man becomes stainless. Now, there was Atri, greatly fortunate, the mind-born son of Brahmā. His son was Soma, and through a share of the mothers, Dakṣa was born. Soma’s wives were many, but Rohiṇī was the best among them. The other wives came and spoke fittingly before Dakṣa. But Dakṣa, enraged and unrestrained, remained steadfast in his anger. Thus, Soma was cursed and, at that very moment, disappeared. He abandoned his manifold form and left behind his eternal body of water. Hidden by Dakṣa’s curse, Soma went to the abode of Brahma, the lord of creation, accompanied by the radiant ones. In Brahma’s presence, they repeatedly spoke, offering salutations: “O Creator, lord of offerings to gods and ancestors, protect us who have sought your refuge.” Brahma comforted the gods with gentle and affectionate words, assuring them. He told them that only the blessed Lord Vishnu could bring an end to the curse. Free from distress, they approached Vishnu, the refuge of all. Together with Brahma, O goddess, they praised Vishnu with concentrated minds: “Salutations to you, Hrishikesha, ancestor of the great person. O Narayana, Lord of the universe, the gods have sought refuge in you. Truly, you are our supreme god, highest among the gods beginning with Brahma. Without Soma, O god, the herbs on earth have perished.” Vishnu spoke reassuringly: “Abandon fear, O immortals; I grant you freedom from fear.” Having thus spoken, the blessed Lord dismissed the lords of the gods. Yet, when remembered but not approached, Janardana becomes angry. Vishnu then instructed: “Let the gods and the hosts of asuras churn the ocean with the vessel. There you will obtain ambrosia and various kinds of jewels. Use Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki as the rope; perform the churning.” O goddess, it was for the sake of Soma that, in ancient times, the Asuras and Danavas joined the gods in this great endeavor. All the gods together stood at the tail of Vasuki for this purpose. Raising the serpent’s head, again and again they cast it downward. In the process, various aquatic creatures were crushed by the great mountain. Thus, the story unfolds—a tale of liberation, divine intervention, and the cosmic churning, all for the restoration of Soma and the welfare of the worlds.