Story 1. Mahabharata - Unraveling the Mythical Tale of Tara & Chandra's Son

Blog by Kalpesh Arun Patil

1. Message    

As we slowly enter into Mahabharata we should know the stories before Mahabharata plus the Re-incarnation of several characters. I will bring a deep insight to all this. 

 

2. Introduction

Hindu mythology is replete with epic tales that have captivated generations. Among these, the Mahabharata holds special significance as one of the most profound and expansive narratives. Before the events of the Mahabharata took place, numerous fascinating characters and stories existed, shaping the course of events to follow. In this article, we will delve into the lesser-known tale of Tara and Chandra's Son, exploring their origins, adventures, and the impact they had on the great Indian epic.

 

3. Tara - The Enchanting Wife of Bhrihaspati ( Jupiter )( Lord of Sacred Speech )

 



Unveiling Tara's Lineage and Background

 

Tara, truly one of the most enchanting characters in Hindu mythology, was the Mother of Mercy and Compassion. She is the source, the female aspect of the universe, which gives birth to warmth, compassion and relief from bad karma as experienced by ordinary beings in cyclic existence. Born of noble lineage, her grace and beauty were renowned throughout the land. Tara was blessed with wisdom, charm, and an unwavering spirit, making her a beloved figure.

 

4. Tara's Fateful Encounter with Chandra, the Moon God

 



The Devas have to at regular intervals defeat their eternal enemies, the Asuras, who live under the earth. Their victory depends on the power of yagna. Brihaspati god of the planet Jupiter performs the yagna for the Devas. For the ritual to be successful, Brihaspati needs his wife, Tara, Goddess of the stars, to sit by his side.

But one day, Tara left Brihaspati’s side and eloped with the moon-god, Chandra. Tara has grown tired of her analytical husband, who was more interested in ritual than her. She had fallen in love with the passionate Chandra who adored her.

 

5. Controversy and Conflict Surrounding Tara's Union with Chandra

 

Bring my wife back if you want the yagna to succeed, said Brihaspati to Indra, King of the Devas.

The Devas were divided, should they force Tara to return to her husband, who saw her merely as an instrument of ritual or should she be allowed to stay with her lover, who made her feel alive? After much debate, pragmatism prevailed. The yagna of the Devas was more important than the happiness of Tara, without the power of yagna; the Devas would be unable to shower the earth with light and rain. Without yagna, there would be darkness and drought on earth. No Tara had to return to Brihaspati. This was Indra’s final decision.

 

6. Chandra's Son - The Early Years



The Birth of Chandra's Son and His Unique Characteristics

 

Tara returned reluctantly. When she came it was clear she has a child in her womb, Both Chandra and Brihaspati claimed to be the father. Tara remained silent, stubbornly refusing to give out the identity of the man who had made her pregnant. Then to everyone’s astonishment, the unborn child cried out, tell me mother, of which seed am I fruit? I deserve to know.

 Everyone assembled was impressed by the unborn child’s desire to know the truth. They declared this child would be the lord of Buddhi, the intellect, that part of the mind which enables one to distinguish truth from falsehood and thereby make choices. He would be called BUDH.

 Compelled by her child, Tara lowered her eyes and said, you spring from Chandra’s seed. 

 

7. Brihaspati’s Anger and the Curse

 



Hearing this Brihaspati lost control over his dispassionate disposition and lashed out in rage, May this love child of my unfaithful wife be neuter gender, neither male nor female.   

The gods were horrified by this cruel curse. Indra intervened in his capacity as king. The child you cursed, Brihaspati will henceforth be known as your son, not Chandra’s. It does not matter who sowed the seed in the field, what matters more is who the master of the field is. As Tara’s lawfully wedded husband, you are the master, the father of all of her children, those born after marriage or before, by you or by anyone else.

So it came to pass, Tara gave birth to BUDH, lord of planet MERCURY, a shape shifting luminal being neither male nor female. Biologically he descended from the emotional Chandra but as per Indra’s decree, he was raised in the house of the logical Brihaspati.

 

8. Chandra's Son and His Relevance to the Mahabharata

The Pivotal Role of Chandra's Son in Shaping the Course of Events

Since that day law took precedence over natural phenomena in heaven and on earth, fatherhood was defined by marriage. This is why Janamejaya’s great grandfather, Arjuna would be called a son of Pandu even though Pandu was incapable of fathering children.      

 

9. Summary

In conclusion, the mythical tale of Tara and Chandra's son unveils a captivating saga that has largely remained in the shadows of Hindu mythology. From the enchanting Queen of SKY to the prodigious adventures of Chandra's son, their stories interweave with the broader tapestry of Hindu epics. Their significance in shaping the events leading up to the Mahabharata cannot be understated, as they offer unique insights into the deep foundations upon which the epic rests.

 

10. Next BLOG

 

Wife for BUDH

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Story 3. Mahabharata - A Vedic Love Story : Pururavas, the Celestial Nymph & the Sacred Goat

Story 2. Mahabharata - Neither Man nor Woman: Wife for Budh