In the ancient lineage of kings, Haryaśva’s son was Maru, and Maru’s son was Pratitvaka. Pratitvaka’s son was the righteous Kīrttiratha, whose rule was marked by virtue. Kīrttiratha’s son was Devamīḍha, and Devamīḍha’s son was Vibudha. Vibudha’s son was Dhṛti, and from Dhṛti arose the renowned king Kīrttirāja, son of Mahādhṛti, who gained fame for his valor. His learned son, Mahāroma, was celebrated far and wide. Mahāroma’s son was the illustrious Svarṇaroma, and from Svarṇaroma came Hrasvaroma, a king of great repute. Hrasvaroma’s learned son was Sīradhvaja. It is said that while Sīradhvaja was plowing a field, he uncovered the illustrious Sītā, who would become the virtuous queen of Rāma, steadfast in her vows and supremely devoted to her husband. Curious about this wondrous event, Śāṃśapāyana asked how Sītā was born during the plowing of the field, and for what purpose the king undertook such an act. The Sūta replied that Sīradhvaja was preparing the sacrificial ground for the horse sacrifice, a great ritual, and it was during this sacred plowing that Sītā arose from the earth. From Sīradhvaja was born Bhānumān, also called Maithila, and his brother Kuśadhvaja became king of Kāśī. Bhānumān’s son was Pradyumna, renowned for his valor, and his son was the sage from whom Ūrjavaha was remembered. Ūrjavaha’s son was Sutadvāja, whose son was Śakuni. Svāgata was the son of Śakuni, and Suvarcā was remembered as his son. Suvarcā’s heir was Śruta, and his son was Suśruta. Jayā was the son of Suśruta, and Vijaya was the son of Jayā. Vijaya’s son was Ṛta, and Sunaya was remembered as the son of Ṛta. Vītahavya was Sunaya’s son, and Dhṛti was the son of Vītahavya. From Dhṛti came Bahulāśva, and Bahulāśva’s son was Kṛti. In Kṛti, the lineage of the great Janakas was established, and thus the Maithilas were described. Now, the narration turned to Soma. Soma gave the southern region to the Brahmins, as had been heard, bestowing it upon the foremost Brahmarṣis and assembly members. Nine goddesses—Sinī, Kuhū, Vapuḥ, Puṣṭi, Prabhāvasu, Kīrtti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī—served him. Having completed the ritual bath, undisturbed and honored by all gods and sages, the supreme king of kings, Soma, illuminated the ten directions. Though requested by the gods and divine sages, Soma did not release Tārā to Aṅgiras at that time. Uśanas then took her from Aṅgiras; Uśanas was the illustrious disciple of his father Bṛhaspati in earlier times. With deep affection, the blessed Rudra became the protector of Brihaspati, grasped his bow and stood ready. By that great soul, the supreme weapon was directed at the foremost of Brahmarshis and released against the gods, destroying their fame. A great battle ensued, visible to all, between the gods and the demons—a conflict that brought destruction to the worlds. The three remaining gods and the Tusita deities, as remembered, sought refuge in Brahma, the primordial god and grandfather. Brahma restrained Uśanas, Rudra, and Shankara, and finally gave Tara to Angiras. When Tara was found pregnant, bearing the name of the lord of stars, Brihaspati insisted, “You must not release the embryo.” Tara replied, “In my body, in my womb, the embryo must be sustained at all costs.” Yet she did not release the child, the slayer of enemies. Approaching a reed stalk, blazing like fire, the blessed one, newly born, cast off his form among the gods. The gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tara, “Speak the truth: whose son is this—Soma’s or Brihaspati’s?” Ashamed before the gods, Tara neither said good nor bad; then the child, the slayer of enemies, began to curse her. Brahma restrained both the child and Tara, resolving the doubt about Chandra, and said, “Speak the truth, Tara: whose son is this?” With folded hands, Tara spoke to Brahma, the giver of boons and lord, “He is Soma’s son, the great-souled slayer of enemies.” Then Soma, the giver and lord of creatures, embraced his son and named him Budha, wise and radiant. In each successive generation, Budha rose among the wise, and then the princess gave birth to a son. Budha’s son, of great brilliance, was Pururavas, born of Urvashi. Six sons of great might were born to Pururavas. Soma, forcibly violated and helpless from royal disease, overcome by illness and his circle diminished, sought refuge with his father, Atri. Atri, famed among sages, performed the act of removing his son’s sin. Freed from royal disease, Soma shone forth in all his glory. This, O best of twice-born, is the account of Soma’s birth. By merely hearing of Soma’s birth, one attains prosperity, health, long life, merit, and purification from sin; one is freed from all sins. The illustrious and radiant king, heir of Bhima, was Kanchanaprabha; and among the wise, even greater than Kanchanaprabha was Suhotra, mighty in strength. Thus ends the twenty-seventh chapter, named ‘The Account of the Vaivasvata Manu Lineage,’ in the glorious Mahāpurāṇa spoken by Vāyu, in its northern section.