With deep affection, the blessed Rudra became the protector of Brihaspati. Grasping his mighty bow, Rudra stood ready, prepared to defend him. In his great soul, Rudra directed the supreme weapon at the foremost of the Brahmarshis and unleashed it against the gods themselves, a weapon so powerful that it destroyed their fame. A tremendous battle then erupted, visible to all, between the gods and the demons—a conflict so fierce that it threatened destruction upon the very worlds. Witnessing this devastation, the three remaining gods, along with the Tusita deities, sought refuge in Brahma, the primordial creator and grandfather of all. Moved to restore order, Brahma restrained both Ushanas and Rudra, as well as the eldest, Shankara. Then, the grandfather himself returned Tara to Angiras. Yet Tara was pregnant, bearing the child of the lord of stars. Seeing this, Brihaspati said to her, “You must not release the embryo.” But Tara, resolute, declared, “In my body, in my womb, the embryo must be sustained at all costs.” She did not release the child, who was destined to be a slayer of enemies. At last, approaching a blazing reed stalk, the blessed one—newly born—emerged in a radiant form among the gods. The gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tara, “Speak the truth: whose son is this—Soma’s or Brihaspati’s?” Ashamed before all, Tara remained silent, neither affirming nor denying. Then the child, powerful and indignant, began to curse her. Brahma intervened, restraining both the child and Tara, and sought to resolve the doubt concerning Chandra. He commanded Tara, “Speak the truth, Tara: whose son is this?” With folded hands, Tara replied to Brahma, the gracious lord, “He is Soma’s son, the great-souled slayer of enemies.” Soma, the giver and lord of all creatures, joyfully embraced his son and named the wise child Budha. In each generation, Budha rose among the wise, and in time, the princess gave birth to a son. This son, Pururavas—brilliant and renowned—was born of Urvashi. To Pururavas were born six mighty sons. Meanwhile, Soma, afflicted by royal disease and weakened, found himself violated and helpless, his power diminished. In his distress, he sought refuge with his father, the sage Atri. The illustrious Atri, filled with compassion, performed the necessary rites and removed Soma’s sin. Freed from his affliction, Soma shone forth once again in all his glory. Thus, O best of the twice-born, is the account of Soma’s birth. Now, listen to the narration of his illustrious lineage. By merely hearing of Soma’s birth, one attains prosperity, health, long life, merit, and purification from sin; all sins are washed away. The radiant king Kanchanaprabha, heir of Bhima, was renowned among kings. Among the wise, his successor Suhotra was even greater, mighty in strength. From Suhotra was born Jahnu, through Keshika. At that time, Ganga had returned and was engaged in sacrificial rites. For reasons destined by fate, Ganga flooded the land, inundating the sacrificial enclosure. Seeing this, Suhotra’s son, Varada, was filled with anger. With bloodshot eyes, he rebuked Ganga, “Immediately receive the fruit of your arrogance, O Ganga! All this of yours is now fruitless; I will drink up the water.” And so, the royal sage drank up Ganga’s waters. The great sages, witnessing this, bestowed upon Jahnu the river, now called Jahnavi, as his daughter. Jahnu then took Kaveri, the granddaughter of Yuvanashva, as his wife. By the curse of Yuvanashva, Ganga was thus produced, and Kaveri, the best of rivers, became Jahnu’s blameless wife. From their union, Jahnu begot a beloved and righteous son named Suhotra, and Suhotra’s son was Ajaka. Ajaka’s heir was Balakashva, renowned and illustrious. His son was Gaya, virtuous and remembered as the son of Kusha. Kusha had four sons, all shining with the glory of the Vedas: Kushashva, Kushanabha, Amurttarayas, and Vasus. Kushastamba, the best of kings, performed severe austerities, desiring a son. When a thousand years had passed, he beheld Shatakratu. Seeing his fierce austerity, Sahasraksha Purandara, the eternal, became capable of granting him a son. Purandara himself ordained that Kushastamba would have a son, and thus Gadhi, known as Kaushika, was born of Pakaśāsana. Gadhi’s wife was of the Paurukutsa line, and from her, Gadhi was born. Before this, a blessed daughter named Satyavati, auspicious and virtuous, had been born. Lord Gadhi gave Satyavati in marriage to the sage Rcika, son of Kavya. In Satyavati, the Bhargava sage, descendant of Bhrigu, begot a son. For the sake of a son, he also prepared a sacrificial oblation for Gadhi. Then Sudhriti Rcika, the Bhargava, summoned Satyavati and said, “This oblation is to be used by you and your mother, O auspicious one. In you will be born a radiant son, a foremost Kshatriya, unconquered in battle, a destroyer of Kshatriya heroes. O blessed one, you too will have a son—steadfast, rich in austerity, peaceful in nature, and a foremost Brahmin; he will be born from this charu.” Having spoken thus to his wife, Ṛcīka, ever devoted to austerities, entered the forest. Later, Gādhi and his wife went to Ṛcīka’s hermitage, under the pretext of a pilgrimage, to see their daughter. Satyavatī, ever attentive to her husband’s command, joyfully took the two charus of the sage and reported them to her mother.