मुक्तिकामो महाकाले मुक्तिर्ब्राह्मणसत्तमः 5.2.25.
O best of Brahmins, one who desires liberation at the time of great death attains liberation.
मुक्तीश्वरं तदा लिंगं तस्याग्रे कथयिष्यसि
Then, before that Liṅga which is the Lord of Liberation, you shall speak.
पूर्वं हि चिह्नितं कर्म देहिनो न विमुंचति
Indeed, the karma previously marked does not leave the embodied being.
इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा स विप्रो ब्रह्मवित्तमः
Hearing these words, that Brāhmin, foremost knower of Brahman,
दिष्ट्या त्वमागतो भूप दिष्ट्या ते संगतं मया
"By fortune you have come, O king; by fortune I have met you,"
इत्युक्त्वा नृपविप्रौ तौ मुक्तिलिंगं समा गतौ
Having spoken thus, the king and the Brāhmin together approached the Mukti Liṅga.
तत्क्षणात्सशरीरौ तौ तस्मिँल्लिंगे लयं गतौ
In that very moment, both with their bodies dissolved into that Liṅga.
अस्य लिंगस्य संस्पर्शान्मुक्तिर्भवति नान्यथा अपि पापसमायुक्तः स याति परमां गतिम्
By the touch of this Liṅga, liberation is attained, not otherwise; even one beset with sin reaches the supreme state.
रे मूढाः किं तपोभिश्च किं दानैर्नियमैश्च किम्
O fools, what use are austerities, what use are gifts and observances?
न मां विदुर्देवगणा नासुरा न महर्षयः
The hosts of gods do not know me, nor the Asuras, nor the great sages.
न मे वेत्ति परं रूपं स्वयं साक्षात्प्रजापतिः 5.2.25.
Even Prajāpati himself does not truly know my supreme form.
यदेतद्दृश्यते तेजो लिंगरूपं यशस्विनि
O illustrious one, this radiance which is seen in the form of the Liṅga—
अनेकजन्मसंशुद्धा योगिनोऽनुग्रहान्मम
Yogis purified by many births, through my grace,
ईश्वर उवाच यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण निष्कलंको नरो भवेत्
Īśvara said: By merely seeing whom a man becomes stainless—
अत्रिर्नाम महाभागो ब्रह्मणो मानसः सुतः
There was Atri by name, greatly fortunate, the mind-born son of Brahmā.
तस्य पुत्रोऽभवत्सोमो दक्षोथ मातृभागतः
His son was Soma; then, through a share of the mothers, Dakṣa.
सोमपत्न्यो हि मंतव्यास्तासां श्रेष्ठा तु रोहिणी
The wives of Soma are to be considered; among them, Rohiṇī is the best.
इतराः प्रोचुरागत्य दक्षस्याग्रे यथातथम्
The others, having come, spoke as was fitting before Dakṣa.
यदा न वारितस्तस्थौ दक्षः कुद्धस्तदा प्रिये
When Daksha, enraged, was not restrained, O beloved, he remained steadfast.
एवं शप्तस्तु सोमो वै तदा ह्यंतर्हितोऽभवत्
Thus cursed, Soma at that moment disappeared.
अनेकत्वं विहायैतज्जलदेहं सनातनम्
Abandoning his manifold form, he left behind that eternal body of water.
एवमंतर्हितः सोमो गतो वै दक्षशापतः वैराजं ब्रह्मसदनं ब्रह्माणं समुपस्थिताः
Thus, hidden by Daksha's curse, Soma went to the abode of Brahma, the lord of creation, accompanied by the radiant ones.
तस्याग्रे कथयामासुर्नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः 5.2.26.
In his presence, they spoke repeatedly, offering their salutations.
स्रष्टा च हव्यकव्यानां पाहि नः शरणागतान्
O Creator, lord of offerings to gods and ancestors, protect us who have sought your refuge.
आश्वासयामास सुरान्सुश्लिष्टैर्वचनांबुभिः
He comforted the gods with gentle and affectionate words.
शापांतं भगवान्देवो विष्णुरेव करिष्यति शरण्यं शरणं विष्णुमुपतस्थुर्गतव्यथाः
The blessed Lord Vishnu alone will bring an end to the curse; free from distress, they approached Vishnu, the refuge of all.
ब्रह्मणा सहिता देवि स्तुतिं चक्रुः समाहिताः नमस्तेऽस्तु हृषीकेश महापुरुषपूर्वज
Together with Brahma, O goddess, they offered praise with concentrated minds: 'Salutations to you, Hrishikesha, ancestor of the great person.'
नारायण जगन्नाथ देवास्त्वां शरणं गताः
O Narayana, Lord of the universe, the gods have sought refuge in you.
त्वं हि नः परमो देवो ब्रह्मादीनां सुरोत्तम
Truly, you are our supreme god, the highest among the gods beginning with Brahma.
विना सोमेन चौषध्यो नष्टा देव महीतले
Without Soma, O god, the herbs on earth have perished.