Then, a dreadful and terrible battle erupted between the armies of Soma and Śiva. The conflict grew ever fiercer, blazing and sharp, as if a single consuming fire had taken form, threatening to devour all beings. The two sides hurled fierce and deadly weapons, utterly destroying each other’s forces. The sky, earth, and netherworld seemed to burn as blazing missiles rained down, scorching the three worlds. In the heat of his anger, Rudra released the terrible Brahmāśira weapon, while Soma, whose power never failed, unleashed his own mighty missile. Their descent filled ocean, earth, and sky with fear. As the great battle raged, threatening the very destruction of the worlds, Brahmā, the Grandfather, arrived with the gods and somehow managed to halt the devastation. Brahmā turned to Soma and said, “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 provoked this exceedingly dreadful war. Among people, you shall become a malefic planet, the most sinful among those who consume fire as their mouth. Return this wife to Vākpati, and do so at my command.” He of the radiant crown, Soma, accepted Brahmā’s words, saying, “So be it,” and withdrew from battle, now pacified. Bṛhaspati, delighted, took Tārā and returned to his own house, as did Rudra. Pulastya said: Then, at the end of a year, a child resembling the brilliance of twelve suns appeared, adorned with divine yellow garments and ornaments. From Tārā’s womb was born a son, shining like the sun, learned in all sciences, and destined to be the initiator of the science of elephants. He was named the royal prince, renowned as the royal physician; because he was the son of King Soma, he became known as Prince Budha. Budha, powerful and radiant, surpassed the brilliance of all people. At his birth, Brahmā and the other gods, along with the divine sages, assembled at Bṛhaspati’s house and questioned Tārā: “By whom was this boy born?” Ashamed, Tārā remained silent, though she was repeatedly asked. At last, she admitted, “By Soma.” The moon-god then took his son, naming him Budha, and granted him a kingdom on earth. After performing Budha’s consecration, Soma bestowed gifts, and Brahmā, accompanied by the Brahmarṣis, assigned Budha a place among the planets. Before all beings who watched, Budha vanished from their sight. Budha, righteous and powerful, begot a son in Ilā’s womb. By his own brilliance, Budha’s son performed a hundred horse sacrifices in full, and became known as Purūravas, honored by all the worlds. On the beautiful peak of the Himalayas, Purūravas worshipped Brahmā and attained lordship over the worlds, becoming ruler of the seven continents. Even the mighty Daityas such as Keśi became his servants, and 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. Famed for holding the yak-tail fan and attended by his followers, he received an exalted seat from Indra by the grace of Brahmā. He protected those united in dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), and kāma (desire), and the very personifications of these three—Dharma, Wealth, and Desire—came, filled with curiosity, to see him. Eager to observe how Purūravas would regard them equally, he devotedly offered them water and hospitality. Bringing three seats adorned with divine gold, he seated them and performed a worship, slightly inclined toward dharma. Angered, Wealth and Desire approached 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.” But Dharma 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 would visit Indra. Once, mounting his chariot, he traveled in the southern sky. There, together with Śakra (Indra), he saw Urvaśī being carried through the sky by Keśin, lord of the Dānavas, along with Citralekha. Purūravas defeated Keśin in battle with a shower of diverse weapons—he who had even conquered Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, in combat. He formed a friendship with Keśin and gave Urvaśī to Indra; from that time onward, Indra became his friend. Pleased, Indra said to Purūravas, who surpassed all the worlds, “Let her be taken to you.” For the delight of Purūravas, Urvaśī sang a great tale—the story of Lakṣmī’s self-choice, instituted by Bharata. Indra instructed Menakā, Urvaśī, and Rambhā to dance; there, Urvaśī danced gracefully in the form of Lakṣmī. While dancing, Urvaśī, overcome by desire upon seeing Purūravas, forgot all the gestures and movements taught in ancient times. Bharata, angered by her distraction, cursed her: “For fifty-five years on earth, you shall become a creeper.” Afterwards, Urvaśī went to her husband and stayed with him for a long time; after experiencing the curse, Urvaśī was united with the son of Budha. She bore him eight sons. Listen to their names from me: Ayu, Dridhayu, Vashyayu, Balayu, Dhrtimat, and Vasu...