From the noble line of Candrāvaloka was born Tārāpīra, and from him came Candraparvata. Candraparvata’s son was Bhānuratha, whose own son was Śrutāyu. Now, Agni spoke, saying, “I shall recount the Soma dynasty, whose very recitation destroys sin.” Brahmā, who was born from the navel of Viṣṇu, had a son named Atri, and from Atri was born Soma, the radiant Moon. Soma, in his glory, performed the Rājasūya sacrifice and, as an act of supreme generosity, gave the three worlds to the priests. When the concluding bath of the sacrifice was finished, many who wished to witness Soma in that divine form gathered. At that time, the queens of men, their hearts inflamed with longing, sought to serve Soma. Even Lakṣmī left Nārāyaṇa, and Sinīvālī departed from her husband Kardama. Puṣṭi left the steadfast Dhātā, relinquishing her own radiance; Prabhā abandoned Prabhākara, and Kuhū left Haviṣmant. Kīrti left her husband Jayanta; Vasu left Mārīca Kaśyapa; and Dhṛti, forsaking her husband Nandī, devoted herself to Soma. Soma, in turn, desired these women as if they were his own. Yet, though they had committed this offense, their husbands could not punish Soma—neither with curses nor with weapons—for Soma, through his great austerity, had attained lordship over the seven worlds. But Soma’s mind, clouded and unrestrained, led him to abduct Tārā, the illustrious wife of Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgiras. He forcefully took Tārā, disregarding Bṛhaspati, which ignited a great war, renowned as the Tārā conflict. This was a mighty battle between gods and demons, threatening the very order of the worlds. At last, Brahmā intervened, and Uśanas returned Tārā to Bṛhaspati. When Bṛhaspati saw that Tārā was pregnant, he commanded her to abandon the child. The abandoned fetus shone with brilliance and declared, “I am born of Soma!” Thus was Budha born, the son of Soma. Budha’s son was Purūravas, and the celestial maiden Urvaśī, having left heaven, chose King Purūravas as her husband. Purūravas dwelt with Urvaśī as his companion for many years: first ten and five, then five, six, seven, eight, ten, and eight more, O sage. In those days, there was one Agni, by whom the threefold ritual was established. Purūravas, devoted to yoga, ultimately attained the world of the Gandharvas. To Purūravas and Urvaśī were born noble sons: Āyu, Dṛḍhāyu, Aśvāyu, Dhanāyu, Dhṛtimān, Vasu, Divijāta, and Śatāyu—all kings, long-lived and strong. Āyu’s son was Nahuṣa, and to him were born Vṛddhaśarman and Raji, as well as Darbha, Vipāpmā, and Pañcāganya. Raji had a hundred sons, famed as royal princes. Raji, favored by Viṣṇu, fought at the gods’ request and slew the Daityas in the great battle between gods and demons. After granting his kingdom to Indra as if he were his own son, Raji ascended to heaven. But Raji’s sons, driven by evil intent, seized Indra’s kingdom. Through sacred rites, the preceptor deluded Raji’s sons, causing them to abandon their duties, and restored the kingdom to Indra. Nahuṣa had seven sons: Yati, the excellent Yayāti, Udbhava, Pañcaka, Śaryāti, and Meghapālaka. Yati, even in youth, meditated upon Viṣṇu and attained Hari. Yayāti took Devayānī, daughter of Śukra, as his wife. Śarmiṣṭhā, daughter of Vṛṣaparvan, bore five sons to Yayāti, while Devayānī gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Śarmiṣṭhā’s sons were Druhyu, Anu, and Pūru. Among these, Yadu and Pūru became the enhancers of their lineages. Yadu had five sons, the eldest being Sahasrajit. Sahasrajit’s sons were Nīlāñjika, Radhu, Kroṣṭu, and Śatajita. Śatajita’s sons were Haihaya, Reṇuhaya, and Haya. Haihaya’s son was Dharmanetra, and his son was Saṃhana. From Saṃhana came Mahimā, whose son was Bhadrasenaka. Bhadrasena’s son was Durgama, and from Durgama was born Kanaka. Kanaka’s son was Kṛtavīrya, followed by Kṛtāgni, Karavīraka, and Kṛtaujā. From Kṛtavīrya was born Arjuna. The sage Datta granted Arjuna the sovereignty of the earth with its seven continents, as well as a thousand arms and invincibility in battle. Yet, because of unrighteous conduct, Arjuna’s death was destined to come at the hands of Viṣṇu. King Arjuna performed ten thousand sacrifices. In his kingdom, merely remembering him prevented loss of wealth; truly, no other kings could attain the state of Kārttavīrya. Through sacrifice, gifts, austerity, valor, and learning, Kārttavīrya fathered a hundred sons, of whom five were outstanding: Sūrasena, Sūra, Dhṛṣṭokta, Kṛṣṇa, and Jayadhvaja. Jayadhvaja’s son was Tāla-jaṅgha, and from him came many sons, giving rise to five clans of the Haihayas, as well as the Bhojas and the Avantis. The Vītihotras and the Śauṇḍikeyas were born independently. From Vītihotra came Ananta, and from Ananta, King Durjjaya. Now, hear the lineage of Kroṣṭu, in which Hari himself would be born. From Kroṣṭu came Vṛjinīvān, and his son was Svāhā. Svāhā’s son was Ruṣadgu, whose son was Citrastha. Then followed Śaśavindu, Citraratha, and the emperor devoted to Hari. Śaśavindu had a hundred sons, all wise, beautiful, and full of energy and wealth. Among them, Pṛthuśravā was chief. His son was Suyajñaka, whose son was Uśanā, and from Uśanā came Titikṣu. Titikṣu’s son was Marutta, and his son was Kambalavarhiṣa. From him came fifty sons, clad in golden armor, including Rukmeṣu and Pṛthurukmaka. Thus, the illustrious Soma dynasty unfolded, its splendor and virtue shining across the ages.