अयं हि वंशोतिबलपराक्रमद्युतिशीलचेष्टवद्भिरतिगुणान्वितैर्नहुषययाति-कार्तवीर्यार्जुनादिभिर्भूपालैरलंकृतः तमहं कथयामि श्रूयताम्
This lineage has been adorned by kings such as Nahuṣa, Yayāti, and Kārtavīrya Arjuna, who were endowed with great strength, valor, brilliance, character, and noble deeds. I will now relate it—listen.
अखिलजगत्स्रष्टुर्भगवतो नारायणस्य नाभिसरोजसमुद्भवाब्जयोनेर्ब्रह्मणः पुत्रोऽत्रिः
Atri, the son of Brahmā—who was born from the lotus that sprang from the navel of the divine Nārāyaṇa, the creator of all worlds—
अत्रेस्सोमः
From Atri came Soma.
तं च भगवानब्जयोनिः अश्षोऔ!षधीद्विजनक्षत्राणामाधिपत्येऽभ्यषेचयत्
And the blessed Brahmā, the lotus-born, anointed Soma as the lord over the plants, herbs, and the stars.
स च राजसूयमकरोत्
He performed the Rājasūya sacrifice.
तत्प्रभावादत्युत्कृष्टाधिपत्याधिष्ठातृत्वाच्चैनं मद आविवेश
Because of his great power, supreme lordship, and authority, pride entered him.
मदावलेपाच्च सकलदेवगुरोर्बृस्पतेस्तारां नाम पत्नीं जहार
Due to his arrogance, he abducted Tārā, the wife of Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of all the gods.
बहुशश्च बृहस्पतिचोदितेन भगवता ब्रह्मणा चोद्यमानसकलैश्च देवर्षिभिर्याचमानोपि न मुमोच
Though repeatedly urged by Bṛhaspati, by the blessed Brahmā, and by all the divine sages who pleaded with him, he did not release her.
तस्य चंद्र स्य च बृहस्पतेर्द्वेषादुशना पार्ष्णिग्राहोभूत्
Because of the enmity between Soma and Bṛhaspati, Uśanā (Śukra) became a supporter of Soma.
अंगिरसश्च सकाशादुपलब्धविद्यो भगवान्रुद्रो बृहस्पतेः सहाय्यमकरोत्
And the blessed Rudra, having acquired knowledge from Aṅgirasa, aided Bṛhaspati.
यतश्चोशना ततो जंभकुंभाद्याः समस्ता एव दैत्यदानवनिकाया महान्तमुद्यमं चक्रुः
Because of Uśanā, all the groups of Daityas and Dānavas, including Jambha and Kumbha, undertook a great effort.
बृहस्पतेरपि सकलदेवसैन्ययुतः सहायः शक्रोऽऽभवत्
And for Bṛhaspati, Indra, accompanied by all the armies of the gods, became his ally.
एवं च तयोरतीवोग्रसंग्रामस्तारानिमित्तस्तारकामयो नामाभूत्
Thus, between them, a fierce battle arose, caused by Tārā, and it became known as the war for Tārā.
ततश्च समस्तशस्त्राण्यसुरेषु रुद्र पुरोगमा देवा देवेषु चाश्षोदानवा मुमुचुः
Then, among the demons, led by Rudra, all the gods released their weapons, and among the gods, the demons also discharged theirs.
एवं देवासुराहवसंक्षोभक्षुब्धहृदयमश्षोमेव जगद्ब्रह्माणं शरणं जगाम
In this way, with the hearts of gods and demons agitated by the tumult of battle, the world itself was disturbed, and Brahmā was sought for refuge.
ततश्च भगवानब्जयोनिरप्युशनसं शंकरमसुरान्देवांश्च निवार्य बृहस्पतये तारामदापयत्
Then the blessed lotus-born Lord, having pacified Śaṃkara, the demons, and the gods, caused Tārā to be given to Bṛhaspati.
तां चांतःप्रसवामवलोक्य बृहस्पतिरप्याह
Seeing her pregnant, Bṛhaspati also spoke.
नैष मम क्षेत्रे भवत्याऽन्यस्य सुतो धार्यस्समुत्सृजैनमलमलमतिधार्ष्ट्येनेति
This child is not born in my domain; he belongs to another. Cast him away, do not keep him out of excessive boldness.
सा च तेनैवमुक्तातिपतिव्रता भर्तृवचनानंतरं तमिषीकास्तंबे गर्भमुत्ससर्ज
Thus addressed, Tārā, ever devoted to her husband, immediately after his words, expelled the fetus onto a reed stalk.
स चोत्सृष्टमात्र एवातितेजसा देवानां तेजांस्याचिक्षेप
And as soon as he was cast out, the child, endowed with great brilliance, absorbed the radiance of the gods.
बृहस्पतिमिंदुं च तस्य कुमारस्यातिचारुतया साभिलाषौ दृष्ट्वा देवस्समुत्पन्नसंदेहास्तारां पप्रच्छुः
Bṛhaspati and Soma, seeing the extraordinary beauty of the boy, both desired him, and the gods, filled with doubt, questioned Tārā.
सत्यं कथयास्माकमिति सुभगे सोमस्याथ वा बृहस्पतेरयं पुत्र इति
Tell us the truth, O fortunate one: is this child Soma's or Bṛhaspati's son?
एवं तैरुक्ता सा तारा ह्रिया किंचिन्नोवाच
Thus questioned by them, Tārā, embarrassed, said nothing.
बहुशोप्यभिहिता यदाऽसौ देवेभ्यो नाचचक्षे ततस्स कुमारस्तां शप्तुमुद्यतः प्राह
Though repeatedly asked by the gods, she did not reveal it; then the boy, about to curse her, spoke.
दुष्टेंव कस्मान्मम तातं नाख्यासि
Why, wicked woman, do you not tell me who my father is?
अद्यैव ते व्यलीकलज्जावत्यास्तथा शास्तिमहं करोमि
Today, because of your unjust shame, I will punish you accordingly.
यथा च नैवमद्याप्यतिमंथरवचनाभविष्यसीति
So that you will never again speak with such excessive hesitation.
अथाह भगवान् पितामहः तं कुमारं सन्निवार्य स्वयमपृच्छत्तां ताराम्
Then the blessed Pitāmaha, restraining the boy, himself questioned Tārā.
कथय वत्से कस्यायमात्मजः सोमस्य वा बृहस्पतेर्वा इत्युक्ता लज्जमानाह सोमस्येति
Tell me, child, whose son is this—Soma's or Bṛhaspati's? Thus addressed, she, ashamed, replied: 'He is Soma's.'
ततः प्रस्फुरदुच्छ्वासितामलकपोलकांतिर्भगवानुडुपतिः कुमारमालिंग्य साधु साधु वत्स प्राज्ञोसीतिबुध इति तस्य च नाम चक्रे
Then, with his cheeks shining and breath quickened, the blessed Moon Lord embraced the boy, saying, 'Well done, well done, child, you are wise.' He named him Budha.