Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2075

c9.2075

SOMA II. One of the eight Vasus. The eight Vasus are Āpa, Dhruva, Soma, Dharma, Anila, Agni, Pratyūṣa and Prabhāsa. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Aṃśa 1. 15). SOMA III. A son of Jarāsandha. It is stated in Bhāgavata, Skandha 9, that Jarāsandha had four sons named Soma, Sahadeva, Turya and Śrutaśru. SOMĀ. A celestial maid. This celestial beauty performed a dance at the birth festival of Arjuna. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 61). SOMA. Juice extracted from Soma creeper. It is believed that the devas accept Soma in sacrifices. SOMADĀ. A Gandharva damsel. (For further details see under Cūlī). SOMADATTA I. A King of the Ikṣvāku dynasty. Genealogy. Descended from Viṣṇu in the following order :-Brahmā-Marīci-Kaśyapa-Vivasvān-Vaivasvata Manu-Ikṣvāku-Diṣṭa-Nābhāga - Phalantana-Vatsaprīti-Prāṃśu - Pramati - Khanitra- Cākṣuṣa-Rambha- Kaninetra -Karandhama-Avikṣit-Marutta-Dama - Rājyavardhana -Sudhr̥ti- Nara- Kevala - Bandhumān-Vegavān - Śr̥njaya-Sahadeva-Kr̥śāśva-Somadatta. SOMADATTA II. A King of Pāñcāla. He was the great grandson of Śr̥njaya and the grandson of Sahadeva. The father of Somadatta was Kr̥śāśva. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sarga 47). SOMADATTA III. A King of the Kuru dynasty.
1) General information. This King was the son of Bālhika and the grandson of King Pradīpa. Three sons named Bhūri, Bhūriśravas and Śala were born to Somadatta.
2) Other details.
(i) Somadatta and his sons were present at the Svayaṃvara marriage of Draupadī. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Verse 14).
(ii) Somadatta had participated in the royal consecration sacrifice of Yudhiṣṭhira. (M.B. Chapter 34, Verse 8).
(iii) This Somadatta was present at the Svayaṃvara of Devakī. At that time there occurred a hand to hand fight between Śini and Somadatta. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 114, Verse 14).
(iv) The defeat from Śini being unbearable, Somadatta did penance to get power to vanquish him and Śiva appeared before him. Somadatta made the following request :- "God! May I be granted a son who would be powerful enough to kick down the son of Śini in his palace." Śiva granted his wish. Bhūriśravas was the son born in conformity with this boon. He grew up and defeated the son of Śini and kicked him in the palace of the King. This story occurs in Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 144.
(v) Somadatta fought against Sātyaki and Bhīmasena in the battle of Bhārata and fell down unconscious. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 157, Verse 10).
(vi) In the battle which followed this, Sātyaki killed Somadatta. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 162, Verse 33).
(vii) It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Āśramavāsika Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 17, that Dhṛtarāṣṭra performed the sacrifice of giving offerings to the spirit of Somadatta. (viii) Somadatta was one of the spirits which appeared on the surface of the Ganges when invoked by Vyāsa. (M.B. Āśramavāsika Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 12).