Agni Purāṇa

274 - Description of the Lunar race

Agni said: 

1. Ishall describe the Lunar race. It would destroy the sin of one who reads it. Bralıma was born from the navel-lotus of (Lord) Vishnu. (Sage) Atri was the son of Brahmä. (Soma was born) from Atri. 

2-5. Soma performed the Rājasūya (sacrifice) and gave away (the suzerainty over) the three worlds as the fees (for the priest). When the final (bathing) was finished, the wives of the mortals who desired to look at his (beautiful) form served him being tormented by the arrows of the god of love. (Goddess) Lakshmi deserted (lord) Nārāyana. Sinivali, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, Kuhů, Kirti, Vasu and Dhruti respectively deserted Kardama, Vibhāvasu, the undecaying Dhätā, Prabhåkara, Havishmån, (the husband) Jayanta, Maricha Kaśhyapa and (husband) Nandi and entertained Soma alone then. 

6-7. Soma also bestowed his affection on them as if they were his wives. The husbands of these (women) were not able to curse him or (punish him) with the weapons, although he had done a misdeed, as he had obtained suzerainty over the seven worlds by means of his penance. 

8-10. Being influenced by their submission his mind faltered. Soma seduced hastily the glorious Tårå, the wife of Bruhaspati (the preceptor of the celestials) and thus insulted the son of Angiras (Bruhaspati). On account of this (incident) there was the battle well-known as Tårakāmaya (involving the celestials) between the celestials and the demons causing great destruction to the world. Brahma (intervened and) prevailed upon Uśhanas (preceptor of the demons) (toshed his wrath) and entrusted Tårå to (the care of) Angiras (Bruhaspati). 

11. Guru (Bruhaspati) finding her pregnant said to her "Shed the child in the womb". The child that was delivered was effulgent and said "I am the son of Moon". 

12-13. Thus Budha was born from Soma. Purúravas was his son. The nymph Urvasi deserted heaven and was enamoured of him. O Great sage! The king spent fiftynine years with her. 

14. There was only one fire in days of yore which was made into three by him.1 Purūravas practised yoga and reached the world of the Gandharvas. 

1. For a detailed account see Vi. P. IV. 6. 77-94.

15. Urvasi (wife of Purūravas) gave birth to the kings Ayus, Drudhāyus, Aśhvayus, Ghanayus, Dhrutiman, Vasu, Divijäta and Satáyus.2 

2. Sons are said to be only six in the  Purāṇas and MBh.-Āyu, Dhiman, Amavasu, Drudhayu, and Satäyu. See MBh. Adi. 75.24-25.

16-19. Nahusha, Vruddhaśarman, Raji, Darbha and Vipāpmå were the sons of Ayus. Raji had a hundred sons known as Rajeyas. Raji having obtained a boon from (Lord) Vishņu killed the demons on the request of the celestials. He gave the status of a son to Indra and bestowed his kingdom on him and ascended the heavens (to fight with the demons). But the kingdom of Indra was usurped by the wicked sons of Raji. Bruhaspati deluded the sons of Raji and restored that (kingdom) to Indra by means of performing the appeasing (rites) of the planets. Then they (the sons of Raji) became the followers of their own dharma. 

20. Nahusha had seven sons--Yati, Yayati, Uttama, Udbhava, Panchaka, Saryati and Meghapālaka. 

21-23. Yati, even as a boy, contemplated on (Lord) Vishņu and attained Him. Then Devayānī, the daughter to Sukra (the preceptor of the demons), became the wife of Yayati. Then Sarmishthå, the daughter of Vrushaparva (became the wife) of Yayati and had five sons. Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Sarmishthå, the daughter of Vrusaparva (gave birth) to Druhya, Anu and Pūru. Yadu and Pūru, among them, (became) the founders of dynasties.