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प्रभासोत्पत्तिकथन (prabhAsotpattikathana)

 
Mahabharata
English
Prabhāsotpattikathana(ṃ) (“on the origin of Pra bhāsa”). § 615 (Baladevat.): Daksha had twenty-seven daughters, married to Soma, connected with the several constellations serving to help men in calculating time, all beautiful
Rohiṇī, however, was the foremost in beauty. As Soma lived long with Rohiṇī, his other wives complained to Daksha, who got them reconciled. As Soma, however, still continued to live with Rohiṇī exclusively, his other wives once more approached Daksha, who now threatened to curse him. His threats were not, however, heeded, and when the wives complained a third time, Daksha cursed Soma, so that he was affected with phthisis. His sacrifices, etc., were in vain
the herbs became tasteless and failed to grow, etc. The gods prevailed upon Daksha to withdraw the curse on condition that Soma should behave equally towards all his wives, and bathe in the tīrtha (sc. Prabhāsa) where the Sarasvatī mingles with the ocean, and adore Mahādeva there
then he should during the one half of the month wane every day and during the other wax every day. Bathing there on the day of new moon, he was restored. Daksha told Soma not to disregard women and brahmans. Prabhāsa became the foremost of all tīrthas
Soma bathes there on every recurring day of the new moon and regains his form and beauty
thence comes its name Prabhāsa, because Soma there regained his effulgence (prabhā).