Her hips graceful and entwined with him, she was overcome by the ecstasy of their union. For a moment, he held her close to his chest, then gently kissed her lips. As Urvashi walked along the path, she awakened her, O sage, but being weakened, she could not restrain the vital seed. From this union, a son of radiant complexion was born. Medha, beloved of Mangala, and Ghanteshvara, the great one, are his. From Diti, two sons of immense might were born: Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Nirrti and Simhika also arose, and from Simhika, Rahu, the Nairrita, was born. Prahlada, foremost among Vaishnavas, became the son of Hiranyakashipu. Bali’s son was a great yogi, wise and an attendant of Shankara. Among the serpent race, Ananta, Vasuki, Kaliya, and Dhananjaya were born, as well as Mahapadma, Shanku, Shankha, and Samvarana. Goksha, Gokarmuka, Virupadi, and others, O Shaunaka, were also born. Among them was the maiden Manasa, goddess born from a portion of Kamala, whose husband is Jaratkaru, born in the line of Narayana. By merely uttering the names of these serpents, men are freed from the fear of snakes. Vainateya and Aruṇa, two sons of great valor, were equal in strength to Vishnu. The foremost among cows and buffaloes descended from Surabhi. The Danavas, born in the lineage of Danu, and others of common birth, also came forth. Now, listen attentively as I recount the names of the Moon’s wives: Ashvini, Bharani, Krittika, and Rohini; Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purvaphalguni, and Uttaraphalguni; Jyeshtha, Mula, Purvashadha, and Uttara; Purvabhadrapada, Uttarabhadrapada, and Revati—these are beloved of the Moon and complete the list. Constantly, with affection, these wives brought the Moon under their sway. All the sisters, honored, spoke to their father Daksha. But Daksha, enraged, cursed the Moon with a powerful mantra. Day by day, afflicted by consumption, the Moon wasted away and was deeply distressed. Seeing the Moon so tormented and seeking refuge, Shankara beheld him with compassion. Shiva freed the Moon from his affliction and gave him a place on his own forehead. Thus, Shiva, placing the Moon on his crest, became known as Chandrashekhara. When their husband was freed, Daksha’s daughters wept once more. They cried aloud, falling down and striking their bodies in grief. In their sorrow, Daksha’s daughters said, “May we have good fortune, father, for our virtuous husband is gone. When the eye remains open, O dear one, the world appears as darkness. For women, the husband alone is their path; the husband is their life and their wealth. For women, Narayana is the husband; their vow and eternal duty is the husband. Bathing in all sacred waters and giving gifts at all sacrifices, worship of the gods, fasting, and all forms of austerity—among all relatives, the son is most dear to women.