Dakṣa’s Daughters, Cosmic Lineages, and the Population of the Three Worlds
पुन: प्रसाद्य तं सोम: कला लेभे क्षये दिता: । शृणु नामानि लोकानां मातृणां शङ्कराणि च ॥ २४ ॥ अथ कश्यपपत्नीनां यत्प्रसूतमिदं जगत् । अदितिर्दितिर्दनु: काष्ठा अरिष्टा सुरसा इला ॥ २५ ॥ मुनि: क्रोधवशा ताम्रा सुरभि: सरमा तिमि: । तिमेर्यादोगणा आसन् श्वापदा: सरमासुता: ॥ २६ ॥
punaḥ prasādya taṁ somaḥ kalā lebhe kṣaye ditāḥ śṛṇu nāmāni lokānāṁ mātṝṇāṁ śaṅkarāṇi ca
Thereafter Soma, the king of the moon, pacified Prajāpati Dakṣa with courteous words and regained the portions of radiance he had lost through disease; yet he still could not beget offspring. In the dark fortnight the moon’s splendor wanes, and in the bright fortnight it shines forth again. O King Parīkṣit, now hear from me the names of Kaśyapa’s wives, from whose wombs the peoples of the universe have arisen; it is auspicious to hear their names: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kāṣṭhā, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Ilā, Muni, Krodhavaśā, Tāmrā, Surabhi, Saramā, and Timi. From Timi were born the hosts of aquatic beings, and from Saramā were born fierce beasts such as lions and tigers.
This verse indicates Soma’s phases were diminished due to the curse connected with Diti’s line, and that he later regained them after pacifying the offended party.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these accounts to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the description of cosmic lineages.
Even powerful beings must restore harmony through humility and reconciliation when conflict or offense causes decline.