Tarakamaya War

The Tarakamaya War (Sanskrit: तारकामय युद्ध) transl. 'war over the love of Tara'[1] is described to be an ancient conflict in Hindu mythology, instigated by the elopement of Tara, the consort of Brihaspati, by Soma, the god of the moon.[2] It is mentioned in the Padma Purana,[3] and described to be the fifth war in the series of Devasura Sangrama, the battles between the devas and the asuras.[4]

Tarakamaya War
Part of Devasura Sangrama

Brihaspati with Tara, whose abduction instigated the war. From Navagraha temple at Surendrapuri
DateKrita Yuga
Location
Bhuloka
Result

Military stalemate
Death of Virochana
Death of Kalanemi
Intervention by Brahma
Triumph of Brihaspati
Return of Tara to Brihaspati
Birth of Budha
Curse of Budha

New rule of fatherhood
Belligerents

Brihaspati
Indra
Devas
Rudra
Vishnu

Yakshas

Soma
Shukra
Danavas
Kalanemi

Virochana
Commanders and leaders
Rudra Soma

Legend

According to one legend, this abduction had occurred to punish Brihaspati for his extramarital affair with Mamata, the pregnant wife of Utathya. Another legend states that the abduction occurred due to Soma's arrogance, due to the success of his rajasuya ceremony.[5] Soma refused to return Tara to her husband, despite an intervention by Indra. Brihaspati, the preceptor, was aided by Indra and the devas, allied with the yakshas, while Soma was assisted by Shukra and the daityas, allied with the danavas. Led by Rudra,[6] the devas assaulted the asuras with divine missiles, and the asuras returned this assault with a barrage of their own. The Brahmanda Purana states that Vishnu participated in the war as well, slaying the asura Kalanemi.[7] Indra is stated to have slain Virochana, the son of Prahlada, who had sided with Soma.[8] Eventually, Brahma intervened and restored Tara to her husband. In due course, she gave birth to Budha, who both Brihaspati and Soma claimed as theirs until Tara affirmed that the latter was the father.[9]

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References
  1. Arumugam, Nesa (2020-09-27). Myths and Legends of the Navagraha: The Nine Movers of Destiny in Indian Astrology. Partridge Publishing Singapore. ISBN 978-1-5437-6002-6.
  2. Hopkins, Edward Washburn (June 1968). Epic Mythology. Biblo & Tannen Publishers. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-8196-0228-2.
  3. www.wisdomlib.org (2019-10-31). "Budha Infuriated and Appeased [Chapter 215]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  4. Indian History. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. 1960. pp. A120. ISBN 978-0-07-132923-1.
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