Bṛhaspati, the revered preceptor of the gods, approached Soma, the Moon, his heart burning with indignation and sorrow. With a voice trembling from the weight of his grief, he confronted Soma: “O Moon, what is this unrighteous deed you have committed? For what reason have you taken away my wife, whom I was protecting with utmost care?” He reminded Soma of their sacred relationship: “I am your guru, and you are always the sacrificer. How could you, in your folly, dare to enjoy your teacher’s wife? Or did you think you were protecting her?” He continued, voice heavy with the authority of scripture: “A slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a thief of gold, a drinker of liquor, and one who violates the teacher’s bed—these are the greatest sinners, and even those who associate with them become tainted as the fifth.” Bṛhaspati’s words grew sterner: “You have engaged in a terrible sin, your conduct wicked and utterly condemned. If you have enjoyed this woman, you are unfit to dwell among the gods.” He demanded, “Release this dark-eyed woman to me. Let me take her back to my house. Otherwise, I will proclaim you, O wicked one, as a thief of your guru’s wife.” As Bṛhaspati spoke thus, Soma, the lord of Rohiṇī, replied to his furious and lovesick teacher. Soma spoke calmly, “Brāhmaṇas, when angered, are difficult to appease. They are worthy of worship, versed in the law, and must be avoided if otherwise. But she, the beautiful one, is here merely as she wishes—she is still a girl. What harm has come to you, O sinless one?” Soma continued, “She remains here of her own will, desiring pleasure. After a few days, she will return as she wishes. You yourself have once taught that a woman is not defiled by wandering, nor a Brāhmaṇa by Vedic rites.” Hearing these words, Bṛhaspati, overwhelmed by grief and anxiety, returned to his home, his heart tormented by thoughts of his beloved Tara. After a few restless days, unable to bear his sorrow, he hastened to the house of the lord of medicines, but was stopped at the entrance by the kṣatriyas. Standing there, filled with anger, he found that the Moon would not come out to meet him, which only deepened his rage. In his fury, Bṛhaspati declared, “This disciple of mine has forcibly taken my guru’s wife, my own mother. Now he must be disciplined by me, for he is unrighteous.” Standing at the doorway, he called out, “Why do you hide in the house, fool, wicked one, lowest of the gods? Give me my beloved at once, or else I will curse you. If you do not return my dear one, I shall surely reduce you to ashes.” Hearing these and other harsh words from Bṛhaspati, Soma, the lord of the twice-born, quickly emerged from 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. Pleasure is found 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 to you. Your curse, born of desire, cannot harm me; I will not give you my beloved, O teacher—do as you wish.” Thus rebuffed by the Moon, Bṛhaspati, his mind burning with anger and worry, went straight to the house of Indra, the lord of Shachi. Indra, seeing his teacher in such distress, welcomed him with reverence, offering water for his feet, refreshments, and all due honors. Then Indra gently asked, “What troubles you, O blessed one? Why are you so afflicted, great sage? Who has insulted you in my kingdom? All this army, along with the lords of the worlds, is under your command. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and all the best of the gods will support you. What is your concern? Please tell me.” Bṛhaspati replied, “My wife Tara, beautiful-eyed, has been taken by the Moon. Though I have pleaded repeatedly, that wicked one refuses to return her. What shall I do, lord of the gods? You alone are my refuge. Help me, O Shatakratu, for I am afflicted.” Indra reassured him, “Do not grieve, knower of righteousness; I am your servant, steadfast one. I will surely bring back your wife. If, when I send my messenger, that arrogant one does not return her, then I will wage war, surrounded by the armies of the gods.” Thus consoling his teacher, Indra sent a most eloquent messenger to Soma. The messenger, swift and discerning, reached the realm of the Moon and addressed the lord of Rohiṇī: “O greatly fortunate one, I have been sent by Indra with a message for you; listen to his words. You are righteous, illustrious, steadfast in your vows, and your father Atri is virtuous—do not act in a way that brings censure. A wife must be protected by all beings, each according to their ability and without negligence. For this reason, conflict may indeed arise—there is no doubt of this. As you would protect your own, so should he strive to protect his wife; consider all beings as yourself, O treasure of nectar. You already have twenty-eight beautiful daughters of Dakṣa as your consorts. O nectar-born, how can you desire your teacher’s wife? These charming ones, like Menakā, always dwell in heaven; enjoy them as you wish, but release your teacher’s wife. If the great ones act in ways that are reprehensible, the ignorant will follow their example, and then righteousness will decline.” Thus, the plea for righteousness and the return of Tara was carried to Soma, as the conflict between duty and desire played out among the gods themselves.