Having attained a sovereignty that few could ever hope to achieve, Soma, honored and revered even by the sages, allowed pride and arrogance to take root in his heart. Intoxicated by the power of his rule, he acted recklessly and, in his folly, forcibly took Tārā, the wife of Bṛhaspati, son of Angiras. Despite the repeated pleas of the gods and divine sages, Soma stubbornly refused to return Tārā to her rightful husband. In response, Uśanas seized Angiras’s heel, and Rudra, having taken up his goat-horn bow, also grasped Angiras’s heel. With great resolve, the supreme weapon known as Brahmaśiras was invoked against the gods by this mighty soul, and their fame was laid low. Thus erupted a renowned battle for Tārā, vast and terrible, between the gods and the demons—a conflict so fierce it threatened the very worlds. In their distress, the remaining gods, the Tuṣita deities, and the twice-born sages sought refuge with Brahmā, the eternal and primeval Lord. Brahmā, the Grandfather of all, intervened. He restrained Uśanas and Rudra Śaṅkara and restored Tārā to Angiras. Yet, when Bṛhaspati beheld Tārā and saw that she was pregnant, anger welled within him. He declared, “In my wife, your seed shall not remain under any circumstances.” Tārā, thus pressed, approached a reed stalk and expelled the embryo. As soon as the blessed child was born, he shone forth with the luster of the gods. The gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tārā, “Speak the truth—whose son is this? Is he Soma’s or Bṛhaspati’s?” Tārā, though questioned repeatedly, remained silent. The heroic son, slayer of foes, began to curse her in his frustration. But Brahmā restrained him and gently asked Tārā to resolve the doubt: “Speak truly, O Tārā, whose son is this?” With palms joined in reverence, Tārā replied, “He is Soma’s, O Grandfather.” King Soma, overjoyed, embraced his son, smelling the crown of his head in delight. He named the wise child Budha, who even now rises in the sky, moving contrary to the other celestial bodies. Budha, in time, begot a son with the daughter of Vairocana. This mighty offspring was Purūravas, born of Ilā. From Urvaśī, Purūravas fathered seven sons, thus continuing the glorious lineage of Soma. So has the sacred birth of Soma been recounted. Now, O best of sages, listen to the tale of his lineage—a tale that brings fortune, long life, health, merit, and the fulfillment of desires. Merely hearing the story of Soma’s birth frees one from sin. Budha’s son was the illustrious Purūravas, radiant and generous, devoted to sacrifice and liberal in his gifts. He was a speaker of the Brahman, unconquerable in valor, indomitable in battle, a performer of the sacred Agnihotra, and lord of sacrifices. Truthful and virtuous, he was perfectly restrained in conduct and unrivaled in fame throughout the three worlds. This tranquil and righteous king, knower of dharma and teller of truth, was chosen by the celestial Urvaśī, who set aside her pride for his sake. Together, Purūravas and Urvaśī dwelled for many years—in the delightful forest of Caitraratha, on the banks of the Mandakini, in the splendid city of Alaka, and in the excellent Nandana forest. They journeyed to the northern Kurus with their pleasing fruit trees, to the foot of Gandhamadana, and to the northern summit of Meru. In these foremost forests, frequented by the gods themselves, the king and Urvaśī enjoyed supreme delight. In the most sacred land, praised by great sages, Purūravas established his kingdom at Prayaga. Thus, the illustrious king, descendant of Ilā, resided at Pratishthana on the northern bank of the Ganga, endowed with greatness. Purūravas and Urvaśī had seven sons, each equal to the sons of the gods and renowned among the Gandharvas: Ayu, the wise Amavasu, Vishvayu, righteous Shrutayu, Dridhayu, Vanayu, and Bahvayu. Amavasu’s heir was King Bhima, lord of kings, whose illustrious son was King Kanchanaprabha. Kanchanaprabha’s son was the learned and mighty Suhotra, and from Suhotra was born Jahnu, conceived in Keshini. Jahnu performed a great sacrificial session, the mighty serpent-offering. At that time, Ganga, desiring her husband, flowed forth in the form of a woman and flooded the sacrificial hall, though Jahnu did not wish it. Seeing his sacrificial enclosure inundated, Jahnu, angered, cursed Ganga: “For this arrogance, O Ganga, immediately receive its result! I will make your effort fruitless by drinking up your waters.” And so, the great sages saw that Jahnu had drunk up Ganga. In response, they offered the blessed Jahnavi to him as a daughter, and Jahnu accepted Kaveri, the daughter of Yuvanashva, as his wife. By the curse of Yuvanāśva, Ganga departed halfway and entered the most excellent river Kaveri, the blameless wife of Jahnu. Jahnu and Kaveri had a righteous son named Sunanda, and Sunanda’s son was Ajaka, thus continuing the blessed lineage.