O descendant of Bharata, in that battle the gods, well read in the precepts of religion who had sided Vrishaspati, and the deities Tushitas, who belonged to Soma’s party who had stolen away his preceptor’s wife, sought refuge with the Prime Deity the Eternal Brahmā (36). Thereupon the Grand-father himself came there, prevented Sukra and Sankara (to fight) and gave back Tārā to Vrihaspati (37). Beholding Tārā _enciente_ Vrihaspati said to her:—"You must not give birth to this child at my house" (38). She then gave birth to a son, the destroyer of robbers, effulgent like a burning flame, on a bundle of fibrous sticks (39). As soon as he was born that beautiful boy overclouded the beauty of the celestials. Filled with suspicion accordingly the deities enquired of Tārā saying "Who is he? Tell us truly if he is Vrihaspati’s son or Soma’s." When she was thus questioned by the gods she could give no reply out of shame (40—41). Thereupon her son, the slayer of robbers, was about to imprecate a curse on her. Preventing him Brahmā himself asked Tārā for the solution of the doubt (42). "Tell us, O Tātā, what the truth is. Whose son is he?" Thereupon with folded hands she said to the Lord Brahmā, the conferrer of boons:—"(He is) Soma’s." Then his father the Patriarch Soma smelt the crown of his high-souled son, the destroyer of robbers (43–44). The intelligent (Soma) named his son Budha. He always rises in the sky in a hostile direction (45) Budha begat a son on Vairāja’s daughter Ilā. His son was the great king Pururava (46). He begat on Urvashi seven high-souled sons. On account of his arrogance the Moon was attacked with consumption (47). On account of his thus being subject to this disease his orbit suffered decrease. He then sought refuge with his father Atri (48). The great ascetic Atri released him from his sins. And accordingly freed from consumption he again shone in his effulgence (49). O monarch, I have thus described to you, the account of the birth of the Moon enhancing glory. I shall now describe his family (50). On hearing of the story of the birth of the Moon ever giving blessedness, freedom from diseases, long life and progeny one is freed from all his sins (51). ⁵⁰ A priest who at a sacrifice recites the prayers of the Rig-Veda. ⁵¹ A Brāhmana versed in the rituals of the Yayur-Veda. ⁵² A reciter of the prayers &c. of the Sama Veda. ⁵³ The Superintending or presiding priest of the sacrifice. CHAPTER XXVI. AN ACCOUNT OF PURURAVA.