ce to thy words, and does not
wish to show us any affection! Therefore, save us so that Soma may accept
us all!' Hearing these words, the adorable Daksha, O king, became angry
and in consequence thereof hurled the curse of phthisis upon Soma. Thus
did that disease overtake the Lord of the stars. Afflicted with phthisis,
Sasin began to waste away day by day. He made many endeavours for freeing
himself from that disease by performing diverse sacrifices, O monarch!
The maker of night, however, could not free himself from that curse. On
the other hand, he continued to endure waste and emaciation. In
consequence, however, of the wasting of Soma, the deciduous herbs failed
to grow. Their juices dried up and they became tasteless, and all of them
became deprived of their virtues. And, in consequence of this decadence
of the deciduous herbs, living creatures also began to decay. Indeed,
owing to the wasting of Soma, all creatures began to be emaciated. Then
all the celestials, coming to Soma, O king, asked him, saying, 'Why is it
that thy form is not so beautiful and resplendent (as before)? Tell us
the reason whence hath proceeded this great calamity! Hearing thy answer,
we shall do what is needed for dispelling thy fear!' Thus addressed, the
god having the hare for his mark, replied unto them and informed them of
the cause of the curse and the phthisis with which he was afflicted. The
gods then, having heard those words, repaired to Daksha and said, 'Be
gratified, O adorable one, with Soma! Let this curse of thine be
withdrawn! Candramas is very emaciated! Only a small portion of him may
be seen! In consequence of his wasting, O Lord of the celestials, all
creatures also are wasting! Creepers and herbs of diverse kinds are also
wasting! In their waste we ourselves also are suffering emaciation!
Without us, what will this universe be? Knowing this, O master of the
universe, it behoveth thee to be gratified (with Soma)!' Thus addressed
(Daksha), that Lord of creatures, said these words unto the celestials,
'It is impossible to make my words become otherwise! By some contrivance,
however, ye blessed ones, my words may be withdrawn! Let Sasin always
behave equally towards all his wives! Having bathed also in that foremost
of tirthas on the Sarasvati, the god having the hare for his mark shall,
ye gods, grow once more! These words of mine are true! For half the month
Soma shall wane every day, and for half the month (following) he wi