King of Surastra, married to Sudharma, their son was Hemakantha.
Somakanta’s happy life comes to an abrupt end when he falls ill with leprosy. He retires to the woods and learns from sage Bhrigu that he had led a dissolute life in his last life. Yama, the Lord of death, asked him after his death whether he would like to experience the good or the bad karma in the next life first.
Somakanta chose the good kama first. This was now fulfilled and the bad struck with the disease.