Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 12
The Six Dvīpas Beyond Jambūdvīpa and the Cosmic Boundary of Lokāloka
स्वगोभि: पितृदेवेभ्यो विभजन् कृष्णशुक्लयो: । प्रजानां सर्वासां राजान्ध: सोमो न आस्त्विति ॥ १२ ॥
sva-gobhiḥ pitṛ-devebhyo vibhajan kṛṣṇa-śuklayoḥ prajānāṁ sarvāsāṁ rājā- ndhaḥ somo na āstv iti
[The inhabitants of Śālmalīdvīpa worship the demigod of the moon in the following words.] By his own rays, the moon-god has divided the month into two fortnights, known as śukla and kṛṣṇa, for the distribution of food grains to the pitās and the demigods. The demigod of the moon is he who divides time, and he is the king of all the residents of the universe. We therefore pray that he may remain our king and guide, and we offer him our respectful obeisances.
FAQs
This verse explains that Soma, by his rays, distributes the effects of the dark and bright fortnights (kṛṣṇa-śukla pakṣa) for the benefit of the Pitṛs and the Devas, functioning as a regulator of lunar time.
Because the Moon governs rhythms of time and nourishment through his rays, influencing the lives of all beings; thus he is described as a universal ruler in that functional sense.
It reminds one that powerful forces in nature operate within divine order—encouraging humility, gratitude, and living in harmony with sacred time and dharma.