As the sacred rite unfolded, ten goddesses together received the radiant embryo destined for greatness. Yet, despite their combined strength, they could not sustain its brilliance. Suddenly, that wondrous embryo, aglow with a dazzling light, slipped away from the goddesses and the very directions, illuminating the worlds like the nourishing moon. When the women were unable to bear the embryo, the moon—Soma—fell down to earth with their assistance. Witnessing Soma’s descent, Brahma, the grandsire of all, compassionately placed him upon a celestial chariot, seeking the well-being of the worlds. This divine chariot, made of the gods themselves and yoked with a thousand white horses, was steadfast in truth, righteousness, and wealth. As Soma fell, the gods—the seven illustrious mind-born sons of Brahma—offered praise to the son of Atri, the supreme soul. Angiras and the son of Bhrigu, joined by others, sang many hymns from the Rig, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas in his honor. As Soma was praised, his radiance grew ever brighter, nourishing the three worlds in every way. Mounted upon the chief chariot, Soma circled the earth twenty-one times, reaching the ocean’s edge. Wherever his radiance touched the earth, plants sprang forth, shining with his energy. These plants sustain the world and all four kinds of creatures, for Soma is the nourisher of the universe. Having gained such radiance through austerity, praise, and sacred acts, Soma performed penances for a hundred thousand years. The golden-hued goddesses who uphold the world by their own power witnessed Soma manifest among them, renowned for his deeds. Brahma, the foremost knower of Brahman, granted Soma sovereignty over seeds, plants, waters, and the best of twice-born sages. Thus anointed as king of kings, Soma, the most radiant, nourished the worlds by his very nature. The twenty-seven daughters of Daksha, famed for their vows, were given to Soma by Prachetas Daksha. These daughters are known as the Nakshatras, the stars. Having attained such sovereignty, Soma, lord of those who possess Soma, performed the grand Rajasuya sacrifice, offering a thousand hundred gifts. At this sacrifice, Hiranyagarbha served as the Udgata, Brahma attained the state of Brahman, and the blessed Lord Hari Narayana was the Sadasya, surrounded by the foremost Brahmarshis, led by Sanatkumara and others. It is told that Soma gave the southern gift—the three worlds—to the foremost Brahmarshis and the assembly. Nine goddesses—Sinī, Kuhū, Vapuḥ, Puṣṭi, Prabhā, Vasu, Kīrti, Dhṛti, and Lakṣmī—attended upon Soma. After the concluding bath, untroubled and worshipped by all gods and sages, Soma shone forth, ruling over the ten directions as the supreme king of kings. Yet, having attained this sovereignty, so difficult to obtain and praised by sages, Soma’s mind became unsteady, and discipline faltered within him. Though urged by the gods and divine sages, he did not return Tārā to Aṅgiras at that time. Uśanas seized Tārā from Aṅgiras, for Uśanas, of great brilliance, had once been the disciple of Bṛhaspati, his father. Because of this affection, the blessed Rudra became the supporter of Bṛhaspati, seizing his heel and taking up his bow. The foremost Brahmarshi then directed a supreme weapon at the gods, diminishing their fame. A great battle erupted, stirred by the desires of Tārakā, between the gods and the Dānavas, bringing destruction to the worlds. The three remaining gods and the Tuṣitas sought refuge in Brahmā, the primeval ancestor. Brahmā himself restrained Uśanas and Rudra, and returned Tārā to Aṅgiras. Seeing Tārā pregnant, Bṛhaspati said, “You must not cast out the embryo. In my body, in my womb, the embryo must be held at all costs.” Yet Tārā did not retain the son, destined to destroy enemies. The blessed child, blazing like fire, came to a reed stalk and, as soon as he was born, assumed a form that astonished the gods. Filled with doubt, the gods questioned Tārā, “Speak the truth—whose son is this, Soma’s or Bṛhaspati’s?” Ashamed, Tārā did not answer, and the son began to curse her. Brahmā intervened, asking Tārā to reveal the truth. With joined palms, she replied, “He is the son of Soma, the great-souled one, the destroyer of enemies.” Soma, the lord of creatures, embraced his son and named him Budha. In time, Budha was approached by a royal maiden, and she bore him a son. This son, Pururavas, possessed great brilliance, and from Urvashi, Pururavas begot six sons of immense strength. In the midst of these events, Soma—violated and afflicted by royal disease, his circle diminished by illness—sought refuge with his father, Atri.