H. H. WILSON, M. A., F.R.S., BODEN PROFESSOR OF SANSKRIT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, TRÜBNER & CO., 60, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1868. BOOK IV. (continued). CHAPTER VI. Kings of the lunar dynasty. Origin of Soma or the Moon: he carries off Tárá, the wife of Brihaspati: war between the gods and Asuras, in consequence: appeased by Brahmá. Birth of Budha: married to Ilá, daughter of Vaivaswata. Legend of his son Purúravas and the nymph Urvasí: the former institutes offerings with fire: ascends to the sphere of the Gandharvas. MAITREYA. You have given me, reverend (preceptor), an account of (the kings of) the dynasty of the Sun. I am now desirous to hear a description of the princes who trace their lineage from the Moon, and whose race is still celebrated for glorious deeds. Thou art able to relate it to me, Brahman, if thou wilt so favour me. PARÁSARA.-You shall hear from me, Maitreya,* an account of the illustrious family of the Moon, which has produced (many celebrated) rulers of the earth,a race adorned by (the regal qualities of) strength, valour, magnificence, prudence, † and activity, and enumerating, amongst its monarchs, Nahusha, Yayáti, * Literally, "tiger of a sage," muni-śárdúla. See Vol. III., p. 118, note §. + Dyuti and sila. Kártavíryárjuna,* and others equally renowned. That race will I describe to you. Do you attend. Atri was the son of Brahmá, the creator of the universe, who sprang from the lotos that grew from the navel of Nárayana. The son of Atri was Soma1 (the moon), whom Brahmᆠinstalled as the sovereign of plants, of Brahmans, and of the stars. Soma celebrated the Rájasúya (sacrifice); and, from the glory thence acquired, and the extensive dominion with which he had been invested, he became arrogant (and licentious), and carried off Tárá, the wife of Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods. In vain Brihaspati sought to recover his bride; in vain Brahmá commanded, and the holy sages remonstrated: Soma refused to relinquish her. § Uśanas, || out of enmity to Brihaspati, took part with Soma. Rudra, who had studied under Angiras, 1 The Vayu says, the essence of Soma (Somatwa) issued from the eyes of Atri, and impregnated the ten quarters. The Bhágavata ** says, merely, that Soma was born from the eyes of Atri. The Brahma Purána and Hari Vamsa give a grosser name to the effusion. * That is to say, Arjuna, son of Kŕitavirya. See, for him, Chapter XI, of this Book. Called, in the original, by his epithet abjayoni. Compare Vol. II., p. 85. $ बहुशस्तु बृहस्पतिचोदितेन ब्रह्मणा चोद्यमानः सकलदेवर्षिभिर्थीच्यमानोऽपि न मुमोच । In the corresponding passage of the Bhagavata-puráńa,-IX., XIV., 6,-the name is Sukra. For the discordant accounts of the parentage of Uśanas, see Vol. II., p. 152, note 1; for Sukra, ibid., pp. 117, 155. न तस्य हि बृहस्पतिद्वेषादुशना पार्ष्णिग्राहोऽभवत् । ** IX., XIV., 3. (the father of Brihaspati *), befriended his fellowstudent. In consequence of Uśanas, their preceptor, joining Soma, Jambha, Kujambha, and all the Daityas, Dánavas, and other foes of the gods, came, also, to his assistance; whilst Indra and all the gods were the allies of Brihaspati.+ Then there ensued a fierce contest, which, being on account of Táraká (or Tárá), was termed the Tárakámaya or Táraká war. § In this, the gods, led by Rudra, hurled their missiles on the enemy;|| and the Daityas T (with equal determination assailed) the gods. Earth, shaken to her centre by the struggle between such foes, had recourse to Brahmá, for protection; on which he interposed, and, commanding Uśanas, with the demons, and Rudra ** with the deities, to desist from strife, compelled Soma to restore Tárá to her husband. Finding that she was pregnant, # Brihaspati desired her no longer to retain her burthen; §§ and, in obedience to his orders, she was delivered of a son, + बृहस्पतेरपि सकलदेव सैन्य सहायः शक्रोऽभवत् । $ एवं च तयोरतीवोग्रः संग्रामस्तारकानिमित्तस्तारकामयो नामाNílakantha, commenting on the Mahabharata, Sabhá-parvan, L. 939, explains the term tárakámaya as follows: T AILI JEWतिभार्यी । सैव आमयवद्विनाशहेतुर्यस्मिन् । आमयो रोगः । || Asura. Dánavas, in the original. **Substituted for Sankara. # बृहस्पतेस्तारामदात् । #Antahprasavá. $$ नैष मम क्षेत्रे भवत्यान्यसुतो धार्यस्तमुत्सृजैनमलमतिधायैनेति । |