Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
ताभ्यां निर्दह्यमानांस्तानुपलभ्य कुरूद्वह । राजोवाच महान् सोमो मन्युं प्रशमयन्निव ॥ ६ ॥
tābhyāṁ nirdahyamānāṁs tān upalabhya kurūdvaha rājovāca mahān somo manyuṁ praśamayann iva
噢，俱卢族的杰出者（帕利克希特王）！当伟大的苏摩——树木之王、月亮的主宰神——看见狂风与烈火焚烧群树时，心生怜悯，为平息普拉切塔们的怒火，便如是开口。
It is understood from this verse that the predominating deity of the moon is the maintainer of all the trees and plants throughout the universe. It is due to the moonshine that trees and plants grow very luxuriantly. Therefore how can we accept the so-called scientists whose moon expeditions have informed us that there are no trees or vegetation on the moon? Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura says, somo vṛkṣādhiṣṭhātā sa eva vṛkṣāṇāṁ rājā: Soma, the predominating deity of the moon, is the king of all vegetation. How can we believe that the maintainer of vegetation has no vegetation on his own planet?
FAQs
The verse describes Dakṣa realizing his sons are ‘burned up’ by renunciation and no longer available, and it introduces his response as Soma appears to soothe Dakṣa’s anger.
Dakṣa’s identity as a progenitor is tied to expanding creation; when his sons turn away from worldly duties toward renunciation and disappear from his plans, frustration and anger naturally arise.
It highlights how attachment to outcomes can fuel anger; cultivating acceptance and seeking calming counsel (like Soma’s soothing presence) helps transform reactive emotion into steadiness.