Tracing back the lineage of Lord Krishna - Part 1

The Story of Lunar (Moon) Dynasty (Soma Kula)

The Birth of Budha, the great grand son of Brahma 

Suka describes the dynasty of Soma, the moon (Lunar Dynasty), to King Parikshit. From Lord Vishnu's navel sprang a lotus on which Brahma appeared. Atri is the son of Brahma and he was as qualified as his father, Brahma. Atri was one of the prajapatis who came from Brahma in the very first Manvantra. Atri once shed tears of jubilation and from his tears, born was a son called as Soma. Anusuya, wife of Rishi Atri was impregnated by the tears of Atri. Soma, the moon was full of soothing rays. He also had two more brothers Duttareya and Durvasa. Soma was considered to be the partial representation of Lord Brahma, Duttareya, the partial representation of Lord Vishnu and Durvasa was considered to be the partial representation of Lord Shiva. Brahma appointed his grand son Soma as the director of Brahmanas, drugs and luminaries.

Soma conquered the three world and organized a Raja Suya Yajna. Brihaspati (represented by Jupiter) had two wives and one of them was Tara. Tara represents the stars. In those days, Tara was given so much importance that Brihaspati could not do any rituals without Tara. But Soma fell in love with Tara and he kidnapped Tara. Even after Briahaspati requested many times, Soma did not return back Tara to Brihaspati. A fight ensued between Soma and Brihaspati. Shukr, the guru of Daityas and Danavas had an enmity with Brihaspati and hence Shukran took the side of Moon, Soma. But Lord Shiva joined Brihaspati. Brihaspati's father was Angira. Angira is from whom Lord Shiva had received knowledge. Therefore, Lord Shiva had affection for Brihaspati and joined his side for the fight and was accompanied by the ghosts and hobgoblins. King Indra joined the side of Brihaspati against the moon God Soma. There was a great fight for the sake of Tara, Brihaspati's wife. Tara was also in love with Soma and desired a child. She became pregnant with Soma's child. Tara was scared of her husband Brihaspati, she feared a punishment from him, but still wanted to deliver Soma's child through she had become pregnant illicitly. But Brihaspati assured he will not punish Tara, thinking that it could be his child she is pregnant with. Brihaspati asked her to deliver her child. The child that was born was very beautiful, with a golden bodily hue and was desired by both Brihaspati and Soma.

Hence, the fight continued but this time it was about who can claim the child. Brihaspati claimed that it was his child while Tara kept silent since she was ashamed to reveal that the child was Soma's son. The child was Budha (Mercury) and he became very angry at his mother and called her an unchaste woman and insisted her to tell who his father was. Tara never answered, so Brahma took Tara to a secluded place and asked her about the truth, then Tara revealed to Brahma that Soma was Budha's father. When Soma came to know that Buda was his child, he immediately took charge of his son. The name, Budha was chosen by Brahma since the child was so intelligent. Thus, the moon God, Soma became the ruler of stars (Tara) and also enjoyed great jubilation because of their son, Budha.