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
अपने किरणों से कृष्ण और शुक्ल—दो पक्षों में मास को विभाजित करके पितरों और देवताओं के लिए अन्न-वितरण कराने वाले, समस्त प्रजाओं के राजा चन्द्रदेव (सोम) हमारे राजा और मार्गदर्शक बने रहें—ऐसी हम प्रार्थना करते हैं; उन्हें हमारा नमस्कार है।
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.