As Soma, radiant with divine energy, was praised by the assembled gods and sages, his nourishing brilliance spread throughout all the worlds in every direction. Seated in his foremost chariot, Soma circled the earth—bounded by the vast ocean—not once, but thrice seven times, performing auspicious circumambulations that blessed the world. The energy Soma displayed entered deep into the earth, and from that union arose the sacred herbs, those very plants by which all living beings are sustained. Having thus regained his energy, and inspired by the hymns sung in his honor and by his own noble deeds, Soma, the blessed one, undertook rigorous austerities. His heart yearned for the vision of the divine Lotuses. Pleased by Soma’s devotion, Brahma—the best among knowers of Brahman—granted him sovereignty over seeds, herbs, the Brahmins, and the waters. Thus, Soma, foremost among gentle beings, attained great dominion. In gratitude, he performed the grand Rājasūya sacrifice, distributing a hundred thousand gifts to all present. Such was his generosity that he gave the three worlds themselves as gifts to the chief Brahmarshis and to the officiating priests. At this great sacrifice, Hiranyagarbha, Brahma, and Bhrigu became the officiating priests, while Hari—Vishnu—sat in the assembly, surrounded by a multitude of sages. Nine goddesses—Sinī, Kuhū, Dyuti, Puṣṭi, Prabhā, Vasu, Kīrti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī—served Soma, attending to him with devotion. Having performed the foremost Avabhṛtha rite, Soma was honored by all the gods and sages. He shone resplendently as the king of kings, his glory illuminating all ten directions. But, having attained such difficult-to-attain sovereignty and being honored by the wise, Soma’s mind became clouded by pride and a lack of humility. Intoxicated by the grandeur of his position, Soma, in his folly, forcibly took Tārā, the wife of Bṛhaspati, the son of Angiras. Though the gods and divine sages repeatedly entreated him to return her, Soma refused to give Tārā back to her husband. In the turmoil that followed, Uśanas seized the heel of Angiras, and Rudra, having taken up his goat-horn bow, also grasped his heel. With great power, Uśanas invoked the supreme weapon, Brahmaśiras, against the gods—a weapon so mighty it threatened to destroy their fame. Thus began the famed battle for Tārā, a vast and destructive conflict between the gods and the demons, shaking the very worlds. In their distress, the remaining gods, the Tuṣita deities, and the twice-born sages sought refuge with Brahmā, the primeval and eternal Lord. Responding to their pleas, Brahmā restrained both Uśanas and Rudra Śaṅkara and personally returned Tārā to Angiras. Yet, when Bṛhaspati saw that Tārā was pregnant, he was filled with anger and declared, “In my wife, your seed shall not be carried under any circumstances.” Obeying this command, Tārā approached a reed stalk and expelled the embryo. As soon as the child was born, he shone with the radiance of the gods. The gods, witnessing this marvel, were filled with doubt and asked Tārā to speak the truth: “Whose son is this—Soma’s or Bṛhaspati’s?” But Tārā, though questioned, remained silent. The heroic child, a slayer of foes, began to curse her in his anger. Brahmā intervened, restraining the boy, and asked Tārā directly to dispel the doubt. With palms joined in humility, Tārā replied, “He is Soma’s, O Grandfather.” Hearing this, King Soma rejoiced, and, embracing his son, named him Budha. This wise Budha, unique among the planets, rises in the sky contrary to the others. In time, Budha begot a son with the daughter of Vairocana, and from their union was born the mighty Purūravas, son of Ilā. From his union with the celestial nymph Urvaśī, Purūravas had seven illustrious sons. Thus, O sages, has the glorious birth of Soma and his lineage been recounted. Now, listen further, for the recounting of Soma’s lineage brings fortune, long life, health, merit, and fulfills all desires. Indeed, merely hearing the story of Soma’s birth frees one from sin. Budha’s learned son was Purūravas, radiant and generous, devoted to sacrifice and liberal in gifts. He was a speaker of Brahman, unconquerable in valor, indomitable in battle, a performer of the Agnihotra, and lord of sacrifices. He was ever truthful, virtuous, perfectly restrained, and unrivaled in fame throughout the three worlds. This tranquil and dharmic king, knower of righteousness, was chosen by the illustrious Urvaśī, who set aside her pride for him. Together, Purūravas and Urvaśī dwelled for many years—ten, five, six, five, seven, eight, ten, and again eight—in various delightful abodes: the enchanting Caitraratha forest, the banks of the Mandakini, the splendid city of Alaka, and the beautiful Nandana forest. They journeyed to the land of the northern Kurus with its pleasing fruit trees, the foot of Gandhamadana, and the northern summit of Meru. In these foremost forests, beloved of the gods, the king enjoyed supreme delight with Urvaśī. In the most sacred land, praised by great sages, the lord of the earth established his kingdom at Prayaga. Thus, the illustrious king, descendant of Ilā, endowed with such greatness, dwelled at Pratishthana on the northern bank of the Ganga. His seven sons, equal to the sons of the gods, became renowned in the world of the Gandharvas: Ayu, the wise Amavasu, and others—all carrying forward the glorious lineage of Soma.