Brahma, the great creator, intervened to resolve the uncertainty regarding the child born of Tara. He restrained both the child and Tara herself, and asked her to speak the truth: “Tell me, Tara, whose son is this?” With hands folded in reverence, Tara addressed Brahma, the lord and bestower of boons, and replied, “He is Soma’s son, the great-souled slayer of enemies.” Hearing this, Soma, lord of all creatures, joyfully embraced his child and named his wise son Budha. In every generation, Budha rose among the wise. In time, the princess gave birth to a son, who was radiant and illustrious—this was Pururavas, born of Urvashi. Pururavas, in turn, had six mighty sons. There came a time when Soma, afflicted by a royal disease and weakened, his power diminished, found himself helpless. In his distress, he sought refuge with his father, Atri. The famed sage Atri performed the necessary rites to remove Soma’s sin, and thus freed from his affliction, Soma shone once more in all his glory. Thus, O best of the twice-born, is the account of Soma’s birth. Now, listen to the narration of his lineage, O foremost of Brahmins. Merely by hearing of Soma’s birth, one attains prosperity, health, long life, merit, and purification from sin; one is freed from all sins. Among Soma’s descendants was the illustrious and radiant king, heir of Bhima, named Kanchanaprabha. Among the wise, his son Suhotra was even greater, mighty in strength. Suhotra’s son was Jahnu, born of Keshika. In Jahnu’s time, the sacred river Ganga, for the sake of a future purpose, flooded the land and inundated the sacrificial enclosure where rites were being performed. Angered by this, Suhotra’s son Varada, with bloodshot eyes, rebuked Ganga: “O Ganga, immediately receive the fruit of your arrogance! All this of yours is now fruitless; I will drink up the water.” So saying, the royal sage drank up Ganga. The great sages, seeing this, presented Ganga—now known as Jahnavi—as his daughter. Jahnu then took Kaveri, the granddaughter of Yuvanashva, as his wife. By the curse of Yuvanashva, Ganga was thus produced, and Kaveri, the best of rivers, became Jahnu’s blameless wife. Through Kaveri, Jahnu begot a beloved and righteous son named Suhotra, whose son was Ajaka. Ajaka’s heir was Balakashva, renowned and illustrious, and his son was Gaya, a virtuous king remembered as Kusha’s son. Kusha had four sons, all possessing the glory of the Vedas: Kushashva, Kushanabha, Amurttarayas, and Vasus. Kushastamba, the best of kings, performed fierce austerities desiring a son. After a thousand years, he beheld Shatakratu—Indra himself, the thousand-eyed, eternal Purandara. Pleased with his austerity, Purandara ordained that he would become his son. Thus, Gadhi, also known as Kaushika, was born, the son of Pakaśāsana. Gadhi’s wife was of the Paurukutsa line, and from her Gadhi was born. Before him, a most blessed daughter named Satyavati, auspicious and virtuous, was born. The lord Gadhi gave Satyavati in marriage to the sage Rcika, son of Kavya. Rcika, the Bhargava and descendant of Bhrigu, begot a son in Satyavati. For the sake of a son for Gadhi as well, Rcika prepared a special sacrificial oblation. He summoned Satyavati and said, “This oblation is for you and your mother, O auspicious one.” He explained: “In you will be born a radiant son, a foremost Kshatriya, unconquered in battle, a destroyer of Kshatriya heroes. Your mother, too, will have a son—steadfast, rich in austerity, peaceful in nature, and a foremost Brahmin; he will be born from this charu.” Having spoken thus, Rcika, ever devoted to austerities, entered the forest. Later, Gadhi and his wife visited Rcika’s hermitage, under the pretext of pilgrimage, to see their daughter. Satyavati, ever obedient to her husband, joyfully took the two charus of the sage and showed them to her mother. By divine arrangement, her mother gave her own charu to Satyavati, and, unaware of the exchange, Satyavati consumed her mother’s charu. As a result, Satyavati conceived a radiant and fearsome son, destined to bring an end to the Kshatriyas. Perceiving this through his yogic insight, Rcika spoke to his wife, “O gentle one, because of the exchange of charus by your mother, your son will be fierce in deed and exceedingly formidable. But your mother will bear a son endowed with ascetic power, for I have dedicated all my austerities to that purpose.” Distressed, Satyavati sought to appease her husband: “Let not my son be so; let another, not of the Brahmin class, be fierce,” she pleaded. The sage replied, “O gentle one, this was not my intention, nor was it yours; but due to the actions of both father and mother, your son will be fierce in deed.” Again, Satyavati entreated, “O sage, if you wish, you could create even worlds—why not a son? O husband, you ought to grant me a son who is peaceful and upright; let such a son be mine, if you so desire, O lord.” The sage replied, “O best of Brahmins, it is not possible for me to alter this in your case; yet, by the power of your austerity, I grant you this favor.” Thus, the lineage of Soma continued, blessed by the power of penance, divine will, and the devotion of noble souls.