Adhyaya 6
सोमवंशश्रवणप्रार्थना (Maitreya’s Request for the Lunar Dynasty)
In the guru–disciple dialogue, after hearing the Solar lineage, Maitreya bows to Parāśara and asks him to narrate fully and in proper sequence the earthly kings who arose from Soma, the Moon, so that the ordered flow of succession may be known as it truly occurred. He also requests the accounts of those renowned rulers whose fame and remembrance endure in later tradition. Parāśara’s authority as ācārya is emphasized, and the disciple’s inquiry is directed toward dharma and historical-theological clarity. This chapter serves as a hinge from the Solar to the Lunar dynastic stream, affirming that genealogical memory (kīrti) is preserved because it conveys exemplars of righteous rule under the overarching supervision of Bhagavān Viṣṇu.
Shlokas
Verse 1
सूर्यस्य भगवन् वंशः कथितो भवता मम सोमस्य वंशे त्व् अखिलाञ् श्रोतुम् इच्छामि पार्थिवान्
O venerable one, you have told me the lineage of the Sun. Now I wish to hear in full of all the earthly kings who arose in the lineage of Soma, the Moon.
Verse 2
कीर्त्यते स्थिरकीर्तीनां येषाम् अद्यापि संततिः प्रसादसुमुखस् तन् मे ब्रह्मन्न् आख्यातुम् अर्हसि
O Brahman, be gracious and tell me of those whose fame is steadfast, whose lineage is remembered and recounted even to this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
He asks Parāśara to recount the complete succession of earthly kings in Soma’s lineage (Soma/Chandra-vaṃśa), emphasizing correct sequence and the celebrated rulers whose fame remains in tradition.
Because vaṃśa narration in the Purana is meant to show dharmic continuity—how rightful rule and moral causality unfold in time (kāla) under Viṣṇu’s overarching order, not as random political accident.