Shloka 42
Vamsha of Dhruva and Prithu; Daksha’s Progeny; Enumerations of Devas, Asuras, Nagas, and Birds
सप्तविंशतिः सोमस्य पत्न्यो नक्षत्रसंज्ञिताः / हिरण्यकशिपुर्दित्यां हिरण्याक्षो ऽभवत्तदा
saptaviṃśatiḥ somasya patnyo nakṣatrasaṃjñitāḥ / hiraṇyakaśipurdityāṃ hiraṇyākṣo 'bhavattadā
The twenty-seven wives of Soma were known by the names of the Nakṣatras, the lunar mansions. In that time, Hiraṇyakaśipu was born of Diti, and Hiraṇyākṣa also came into being.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Cosmic order (ṛta) manifests as lineage and time-cycles; births arise according to prior causes and destined roles.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-sṛṣṭi and niyati within māyā; the world-order as a stage for dharma’s restoration.
Application: Contemplate time (nakṣatra cycles) and causality; cultivate vigilance that power and birth do not guarantee righteousness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic sphere / genealogical setting
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.6 (Daitya/Deva genealogies continuing into Prahlāda–Bali line)
FAQs
This verse links Soma (the Moon) to the twenty-seven Nakṣatras, grounding lunar timekeeping and cosmic order in a sacred genealogical framework.
It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death path; instead, it provides cosmological and genealogical context that underpins later teachings on dharma, time, and cosmic governance.
Use it as a reminder that traditional Hindu calendrical practices (tithi/nakṣatra observances) are embedded in Purāṇic cosmology, encouraging disciplined living aligned with sacred time.