The cool-rayed Soma, the moon-god, undertook deep austerities, his mind wholly absorbed in meditation upon Lord Viṣṇu. Pleased by this devotion, the Blessed Lord Nārāyaṇa, Hari, appeared before Soma and offered him a boon. Soma requested, “May I be able to perform sacrifices in the world of Indra. May the gods, Brahmā, and the four classes of beings be my honored guests in my abode at the Rājasūya sacrifice. And let Śiva, the wielder of the trident, be our protector, the guardian of the gods.” Viṣṇu, hearing these wishes, arranged for the grand Rājasūya sacrifice. Atri was appointed as the Hotṛ (the chief priest who recites the invocations), Bhṛgu as the Adhvaryu (the executor of the rituals), and the Four-faced Brahmā as the Udgātṛ (the chanter of hymns); Brahmā attained the status of Brahman for this rite, and Hari himself oversaw the ceremony. All the gods assembled as participants, following the ancient procedures of the Rājasūya. The Vasus and the Viśvedevas served as Adhvaryus as well. As sacrificial fee, Soma generously gave the three worlds to the officiating priests. By this act, Soma attained a sovereignty that is rarely achieved, established by divine creation. Through his own austerities, he secured lordship over the seven worlds. Once, as he wandered through a garden, Soma beheld a group of women adorned with flowers and ornaments. Among them was Tārā, the wife of Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the gods. She was strikingly beautiful, with broad hips and heavy breasts, her limbs delicate and weakened even by the simple act of gathering flowers. Her wide, enchanting eyes glowed with charm, and she too was suddenly pierced by the arrows of Love. Overcome by desire, Soma seized Tārā by her hair in a secluded spot. She, also overcome by passion, could neither resist nor enjoy, her mind ensnared by Soma’s radiance and beauty. Soma spent a long time with Tārā, bringing her to his own house, but even there, he found no satisfaction in pleasures, so deeply was he attached to her. Meanwhile, Bṛhaspati, scorched by the fire of separation from his wife, became absorbed in meditation upon her. Yet, despite his power, he could not curse Soma, nor harm him with mantras, weapons, fire, or any poison. He tried every means—even acts of sorcery—to recover Tārā, but all failed. Burning with the pain of love, Bṛhaspati finally approached Soma and pleaded for his wife’s return. Despite these entreaties, Soma, deluded by desire, refused to return Tārā. The gods, including Maheśvara (Śiva), Brahmā, the Sādhyas, the Maruts, and the guardians of the worlds, gathered to intervene. Yet Soma remained unmoved, and would not give her back in any way. Śiva, famed as Vāmadeva on earth and worshipped by countless Rudras, became filled with wrath at Soma’s obstinacy. Accompanied by his disciples, the wielder of the mighty Pināka bow and enemy of the three cities, set out for battle, attended by the lords of spirits and perfected beings. Sixty-six fierce forms of the Gaṇas blazed forth with him, their faces terrifying like the fire of Śiva’s third eye. The lords of the Yakṣas, with their hosts and many others, followed in chariots: Vetālas, Yakṣas, serpents, Kinnaras, and a hundred million others, along with a single Padma host. Soma, his anger greatly increased, responded by assembling twelve hundred thousand chariots, accompanied by Saturn, Mars, the powerful luminaries, and an army of stars, demons, and Asuras. As these two mighty armies assembled, the seven worlds, together with the earth, forests, continents, and ocean depths, were seized with fear. Śiva, blazing with weapons and fiery energy, confronted Soma. A dreadful and terrible battle erupted between the armies of Soma and Śiva, fierce and all-consuming, as if a single fire was devouring all beings. With sharp and blazing weapons, the two sides destroyed each other’s forces, and the heavens, earth, and netherworld were scorched by the onslaught. In his fury, Rudra (Śiva) released the Brahmāśira weapon, while Soma, of unfailing power, unleashed the Soma missile. Their descent spread terror through the ocean, the earth, and the sky. Seeing that this great battle threatened the destruction of the worlds, Brahmā himself entered the fray with the gods and managed, with great effort, to halt the conflict. Brahmā admonished Soma, “O Soma, why have you committed this terrible, destructive act without cause, bringing ruin to people? Because you have abducted another’s wife, you have instigated this dreadful war. Among people, you shall become a malefic planet, the most sinful among those who consume fire as their mouth. Return Tārā to Vākpati (Bṛhaspati), obeying my command.” Soma, his anger cooled, assented, saying, “So be it,” and withdrew from battle. Bṛhaspati, delighted, took Tārā and returned home, as did Rudra. After a year, Tārā gave birth to a radiant son, shining like twelve suns, adorned with divine yellow garments and ornaments. This son, learned in all sciences and the initiator of the science of elephants, was renowned as the royal prince and the royal physician. Because he was the son of King Soma, he was named Budha. Budha, powerful and brilliant beyond all others, was honored by Brahmā, the gods, and the divine sages. At the birth ceremony in Bṛhaspati’s house, all the gods questioned Tārā: “By whom was this boy born?” Embarrassed, Tārā remained silent, though she was asked repeatedly. At last, she confessed, “By Soma,” and the moon-god took his son, naming him Budha and granting him a kingdom on earth. After his consecration, Budha gave gifts, and Brahmā, with the Brahmarṣis, established him among the planets. Before all beings, Budha disappeared from sight. Later, Budha fathered a son with Ilā. By his own brilliance, Budha performed a hundred horse sacrifices, earning renown as Purūravas, honored by all the worlds. On the beautiful peak of the Himalayas, Purūravas worshipped Brahmā and attained lordship over the worlds, ruling over the seven continents. The Daityas, such as Keśi, became his servants, and the celestial nymph Urvaśī, captivated by his form, became his wife. Purūravas righteously protected the earth of seven continents, with its mountains, forests, and groves, always seeking the welfare of all beings.