Story of Budha

Son of Candra.

1) Birth. Bṛhaspati the teacher-priest of the devas had a very beautiful wife named Tārā. One day seeing the handsome figure of Candra, Tārā became amorous. Candra was the Disciple of Bṛhaspati. It was not right on the part of the wife of the teacher to feel amorous towards a disciple. Bṛhaspati came to know of the affair and sending for Candra asked him to return his wife. Both Candra and Tārā did not pay any heed to Bṛhaspati. Both sides were about to engage in a battle. The devas arrayed themselves on both sides. Seeing that this was not an honourable thing some devas tried for a compromise. Finally Candra returned Tārā to Bṛhaspati. At this time Tārā was pregnant. Both Candra and Bṛhaspati claimed the paternity of the child in the womb of Tārā, who witnessed that Candra was the father of the child. All accepted the words of Tārā. Budha was the child Tārā gave birth to.

Marriage and birth of a child.

Budha grew up to be a youth. During the period the King Sudyumna one day entered Kumāravana (a forest) and was changed to a woman. When the King became a woman the name adopted was Ilā, who grew amorous of Budha. The famous King Purūravas was the son born to them. (For more information see Ilā, Candra and Purūravas).

Other information

(1) Budha wears a necklace of Rudrākṣa beads (Elaeo Carpus Seeds) and has a bow. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 51).

(2) Candra performed the christening ceremony of Budha. (Bhāgavata Skandha 9).

(3) Budha is a luminous member of the assembly of Brahmā. (Mahābhārata Sabha Parva, Chapter 11, Stanza 29).