After a long period spent in the company of Tārā, the moon-god Soma brought her to his own abode. Yet, even surrounded by all the pleasures of his home, Soma found no true satisfaction—his heart remained deeply attached to Tārā alone. Meanwhile, Bṛhaspati, scorched by the agony of separation from his beloved wife, turned his mind wholly to meditating upon her. Yet, despite his pain, he could not bring himself to curse Soma, nor could he harm him by any means—neither with mantras, weapons, fire, nor with any manner of poisonous concoctions. Desperate to recover Tārā, Bṛhaspati tried every method, including acts of sorcery, but the lord of speech could not succeed. Burning with the pain of love, he went to Soma and pleaded for her return. Even then, deluded by desire, Soma refused to give Tārā back. Seeing this, Bṛhaspati sought help from the great Maheśvara (Śiva), the Four-faced Brahmā, the Sādhyas, the Maruts, and the guardians of the worlds. Yet Soma remained unmoved, refusing to return Tārā. At this, Śiva—famed as Vāmadeva on earth, whose lotus feet are worshipped by countless Rudras—was filled with wrath. Accompanied by his disciples, the wielder of the Pināka bow, bound by affection for Bṛhaspati, took up his weapons. As the destroyer of cities, he set out, attended by the lords of spirits and perfected beings. Blazing with the intent for battle against Soma, Śiva’s terrifying face glowed like the fire of his third eye. Sixty-six fierce forms of the Gaṇa lords marched with him. The lords of the Yakṣas, with their hosts, followed in chariots, as did the Vetālas, more Yakṣas, serpents, Kinnaras, and a hundred million others, along with a single Padma host. Soma, too, now greatly angered, gathered his forces—twelve hundred thousand chariots strong—accompanied by Saturn, Mars, other powerful luminaries, and an army of stars, demons, and Asuras. As these mighty hosts assembled, the seven worlds, along with the earth, forests, continents, and ocean depths, were seized with fear. Śiva, blazing with mighty weapons and a vast, fiery aura, confronted Soma. A dreadful and terrible battle erupted between the armies of Soma and Śiva. Fierce and consuming, the conflict grew sharp and blazing, as if all had become a single fire. With savage and powerful weapons, they destroyed each other’s forces. The weapons themselves burned the heavens, the earth, and the netherworld. In his anger, Rudra released the terrible Brahmāśira weapon, while Soma, unfailing in his power, unleashed the Soma missile. At their descent, fear gripped the ocean, the earth, and the sky. Seeing that the great battle threatened to destroy the worlds, the Grandfather Brahmā himself entered the field with the gods and somehow managed to bring the conflict to a halt. Brahmā spoke sternly to Soma: “O Soma, why have you committed this terrible and destructive act without cause, bringing ruin to people? Because you abducted another’s wife, you have waged this dreadful war. “Among people, you will become a malefic planet, the most sinful among those who consume fire as their mouth. Return this wife to Vākpati (Bṛhaspati), and obey my command.” Soma, the radiant-crowned one, assented, saying “So be it,” and withdrew from the battle, now pacified. Bṛhaspati, delighted, took Tārā and returned home, and Rudra likewise departed. Pulastya continued: After a year had passed, a radiant child appeared—shining like twelve suns, adorned in divine yellow garments and ornaments. This son, gleaming like the sun, was born from Tārā’s womb. He was learned in all sciences and became the initiator of the science of elephants. He was named the royal prince and became renowned as the royal physician. Because he was the son of King Soma, he came to be known as Prince Budha. Powerful and brilliant beyond all others, his birth drew Brahmā and the assembled gods and sages to Bṛhaspati’s house. At the birth ceremony, all the gods questioned Tārā: “By whom was this boy born?” Embarrassed before them, Tārā remained silent, though they asked her again and again. At last, she confessed, “By Soma.” The moon-god then took his son, named him Budha, and granted him a kingdom on earth. After performing the consecration and bestowing gifts, Brahmā, with the Brahmarṣis, assigned Budha his place among the planets. Before the assembled beings, Budha vanished on the spot. Later, Budha, righteous in conduct, begot a son in Ilā’s womb. By his own brilliance, Budha performed a hundred horse sacrifices in full. His son was Purūravas, honored by all the worlds. On the beautiful peak of the Himalaya, Purūravas worshipped the Grandfather Brahmā and attained lordship over the worlds, ruling the seven continents. Daityas such as Keśi became his servants, and the apsaras Urvaśī, captivated by his form, became his wife. The earth of seven continents, with its mountains, forests, and groves, was righteously protected by Purūravas, who always sought the welfare of all beings. Famed for holding the yak-tail fan and attended by personal servants, Purūravas received an exalted seat from Indra, by the grace of Brahmā. He righteously protected those united in dharma, wealth, and desire. Those very personifications—Dharma, Wealth, and Desire—came, filled with curiosity, to see him. Eager to know his deeds and how he would regard them equally, Purūravas devotedly offered them water and hospitality. Bringing three seats adorned with divine gold, he seated them and performed a worship, giving slight preference to dharma. Desire and Wealth, angered by the king’s partiality, confronted him. Wealth, out of greed, pronounced a curse: “You shall come to ruin.” Desire said, “You will be maddened by longing on Mount Gandhamadana, dwelling in the grove of the youths, separated from Urvaśī.” Dharma, however, blessed him: “You will have a long life and be righteous; your lineage, O king, will endure as long as the moon and stars. It will increase by the hundreds and never perish on earth. For sixty years, you will be maddened by desire for Urvaśī. Soon, even your wife, the apsaras, will come under your control.” Having spoken thus, they all vanished, and the king continued to rule his kingdom. Day after day, Purūravas went to see Indra; and once, mounting his chariot, he traveled through the southern sky.