[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1709 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1709 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1709 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1709](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1709) In the Purānic mythology Soma, as the moon, is commonly said to be the son of the Rishi Atri by his wife Anasūyā, but the authorities are not agreed. One makes him son of Dharma ; another gives his paternity to Prabhākara, of the race of Atri ; and he is also said to have been produced from the churning of the ocean in another Manwantara. In the Vishnu Purāna he is called “the monarch of Brāhmans ;” but the Brihad Āranyaka, an older work, makes him a Kshatriya. He married twenty-seven daughters of the Rishi Daksha, who are really personifications of the twenty-seven lunar asterisms ; but keeping up the personality, he paid such attention to Rohinī, the fourth of them, that the rest became jealous, and appealed to their father. Daksha’s interference was fruitless, and he cursed his son-in-law, so that he remained childless, and became affected with consumption. This moved the pity of his wives, and they interceded with their father for him. He could not recall his curse, but he modified it so that the decay should be periodical, not permanent. Hence the wane and increase of the moon. He performed the Rāja-sūya sacrifice, and became in consequence so arrogant and licentious that he carried off Tārā, the wife of Brihaspati, and refused to give her up either on the entreaties of her husband or at the command of Brahmā. This gave rise to a wide-spread quarrel. The sage Usanas, out of enmity to Brihaspati, sided with Soma, and he was supported by the Dānavas, the Daityas, and other foes of the gods. Indra and the gods in general sided with Brihaspati. There ensued a fierce contest, and “the earth was shaken to her centre.” Soma had his body cut in two by Siva’s trident, and hence he is called Bhagnātmā. At length Brahmā interposed and stopped the fight, compelling Soma to restore Tārā to her husband. The result of this intrigue was the birth of a child, whom Tārā, after great persuasion, declared to be the son of Soma, and to whom the name of Budha was given : from him the Lunar race sprung. - [Previous: c5.1708](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1708) - [Next: c5.1710](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1710) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (2) - [Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣad](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.upanisad.mukhya.brhadaranyaka) — Sanskrit - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1709](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1709) · Pramāṇa