O Suta, your words are sweeter than nectar itself, full of delightful flavor. We never tire of listening to you, just as the gods never grow weary of drinking ambrosia. Suta replied with reverence, “O noble sages, listen to this divine and enchanting tale. I shall recount it as I have heard from the venerable Vyasa, to the best of my understanding.” The beloved wife of the guru, renowned as Tara, was graced with beauty and youth. Her form was elegant, and she was intoxicated with passion. One day, this radiant lady journeyed to the abode of the Moon, the great sacrificer. The Moon, shining in his own youth and splendor, beheld Tara and was instantly overcome with desire for her. Tara, too, seeing the Moon in all his resplendence, was struck by the arrows of love. Thus, both Tara and the Moon, overwhelmed by mutual longing and maddened by passion, became utterly absorbed in each other. They spent several days together, delighting in each other’s company, intoxicated by love. Meanwhile, Bṛhaspati, Tara’s husband and the guru of the gods, was consumed with sorrow. He sent his disciple to fetch Tara home, but she, enchanted by the Moon, refused to return. The disciple returned again and again, always without Tara. At last, Bṛhaspati, angered and wounded by separation, decided to go himself. He arrived at Soma’s (the Moon’s) house, his heart burning with rage, and confronted the Moon, who sat smiling and intoxicated, Tara by his side. Bṛhaspati spoke harshly, “O Moon, what is this unrighteous deed you have committed? For what reason have you taken my wife, whom I was protecting?” He continued, “I am your guru, O god, and you are always the sacrificer. How, O fool, have you enjoyed your teacher’s wife? Or was she under your protection? Know that a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a thief of gold, a drinker of liquor, and one who violates the teacher’s bed are the greatest sinners—and one who associates with them is counted as the fifth. You have committed a grave sin, your conduct is wicked and condemned. You are not fit for the company of the gods if you have enjoyed this woman. Release this dark-eyed woman and let me take her home. Otherwise, I will declare you, O wicked one, as a thief of your guru’s wife.” As Bṛhaspati spoke in this way, the Moon, lord of Rohiṇī, replied to his enraged guru, who was tormented by separation. Soma said, “Because of your anger, Brāhmaṇas are difficult to please. They are worthy of worship, learned in the law, and must be avoided if otherwise. She, the beautiful one, will return to your house as she wishes. She is merely staying here, still a girl—what harm is there to you, O sinless one? She remains here of her own will, desiring pleasure; after a few days, she will return as she pleases.” Soma continued, “You yourself have spoken the doctrine of the law: a woman is not defiled by wandering, nor a Brāhmaṇa by Vedic rites.” Thus addressed by the Moon, the guru, overwhelmed with grief, quickly returned home, his mind consumed by anxious thoughts and the pain of love. After a few days, tormented by worry, Bṛhaspati hurried to the Moon’s house once more. He stood at the entrance, forbidden by the kṣatriyas, his anger mounting. The Moon did not come out, and Bṛhaspati’s fury grew. He declared, “This one, who was once my disciple, has forcibly taken my guru’s wife—my mother! Now he must be disciplined by me, for he is unrighteous.” Standing at the doorway, he cried out in anger, “Why do you remain in the house, fool, wicked one, lowest of the gods? Give me my beloved wife at once, or else I will curse you. If you do not return my dear one, I will surely reduce you to ashes.” Hearing these and other harsh words from Bṛhaspati, Soma, lord of the twice-born, quickly came out of the house, laughing. He said, “Why do you speak so much? That dark-eyed, perfectly endowed woman is not suitable for you. Take another woman, one who is ugly and like yourself, O twice-born; such beauty is not fit for a beggar’s house. It is said that pleasure is with a beloved who is one’s equal, O woman; you do not understand, dull-minded one, the decision of the science of love. Go wherever you wish, fool; I will not give you the woman you desire. Do whatever you can, but this beautiful woman will not be given. Your curse, born of desire, cannot harm me; I will not give you my beloved, O teacher—do as you wish.” Hearing these words, Bṛhaspati was filled with anger and worry. Burning with rage, he quickly went to the house of Indra, the lord of Shachi. There, seeing his teacher in distress and sorrow, Indra, also called Shatakratu, honored him with water for washing his feet, offerings, and refreshments. The generous Indra then asked, “What troubles you, O blessed one? Why are you so afflicted, great sage? Who has insulted you in my kingdom, O teacher, who are also my master? All this army, along with the lords of the worlds, is under your command. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and all the other best of gods will give you their support. What is your concern now? Tell me.” Bṛhaspati replied, “My wife Tara, beautiful-eyed, has been taken by the Moon. Though I have repeatedly asked, that wicked one does not return her. What shall I do, lord of the gods? You alone are my refuge. Help me, O lord of the gods; I am afflicted, O Shatakratu.” Indra comforted him, saying, “Do not grieve, knower of righteousness; I am your servant, O steadfast one. I will surely bring back your wife, O wise one.