WHATIS SYMBOLISM
Symbolism in literature is the use of objects, people, situations, or
actions to represent something beyond their literal meaning. It adds layers
of meaning to a story, allowing authors to explore complex ideas and themes
indirectly. Essentially, symbolism is a literary device where a
concrete element
(like a color, object, or character) is used to represent something
abstract, such as an emotion, idea, or concept.
The Vedas, Vedanta, and Puranas, while distinct, share a common thread of
symbolism, often drawing from similar imagery and concepts to convey deeper
spiritual truths. Symbolism is crucial in these texts, as it allows for the
communication of abstract ideas and complex philosophical concepts in a way
that is accessible and relatable to different levels of understanding.
Nature as Symbol:
The Vedas frequently employ natural elements like fire (Agni), sun (Surya),
dawn (Ushas), and wind (Vayu) as symbolic representations of divine forces
and cosmic principles.
Deities as Archetypes:
Deities like Indra, Agni, and Soma are not merely anthropomorphic figures
but also embody various aspects of consciousness, power, and ritual
significance.
Cosmic Order (Rita):
The concept of Rita, signifying cosmic order and truth, is a fundamental
symbolic element, highlighting the interconnectedness of all things.
Symbolic Language:
The language of the Vedas is considered Sruti, a divine word heard by the
rishis, suggesting a source beyond human intellect.
Symbolism in Vedanta:
Vedanta as Interpretation:
Vedanta, particularly the Upanishads, builds upon the symbolic framework of
the Vedas, further exploring themes of Brahman (ultimate reality), Atman
(individual self), and the path to liberation (Moksha).
Symbolic Journeys:
Philosophical concepts like the journey of the individual soul towards
liberation are often depicted through symbolic narratives and allegories.
Symbolic Representations of the Self:
The different layers of the self (Koshas) and the different realms of
existence (Lokas) are also symbolically represented.
Symbolism in Puranas:
Puranas as Expanded Narratives:
The Puranas expand on the symbolic language of the Vedas and Vedanta
through myths, legends, and stories, making the teachings more accessible
to a wider audience.
Deities as Embodiments:
Puranic deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and the Goddesses are presented with
elaborate backstories and symbolism, often representing different aspects
of the divine and different paths to spiritual realization.
Symbolic Landscapes and Events:
Puranic narratives often feature symbolic landscapes, mythical creatures,
and events that illustrate moral lessons, spiritual truths, and the nature
of reality.
Continuity of Symbolism:
Many symbolic images and concepts from the Vedas and Upanishads are
reinterpreted and elaborated upon in the Puranas, demonstrating a
continuity of symbolic thought.
Overall Significance:
Symbolism in these texts is not merely decorative but an essential tool for
conveying profound spiritual and philosophical ideas. It allows for a
multi-layered understanding, where literal interpretations can coexist with
symbolic and allegorical ones, making the teachings relevant to people from
various backgrounds and levels of understanding. The shared symbolic
language across these texts highlights a deep continuity of tradition and
reveals a unified vision of reality.
Devi Bhagavata Purana by Swami Vijñanananda
1-5. Śrī Sūta said :-- “I am highly fortunate; I consider myself blessed
and I am purified by the Mahātmās (high souled persons); inasmuch as I am
questioned by them about the highly meritorious Purāṇa, famous in the
Vedas. I will now speak in detail about this Purāṇa, the best of the
Āgamas, approved of by all the Vedas and the secret of all the Śāstras.
O Brahmins! I bow down to the gentle lotus feet, known in the three Lokas,
of the Devī Bhagavatī, praised by Brahmā and the other devas Viṣṇu, Maheśa
and others, meditated always by the Munindras and which the Yogis
contemplate as their source of liberation. Today I will devotedly describe,
in detail and in plain language, that Purāṇa which is the best of all the
Purāṇas, which gives prosperity and contains all the sentiments (Rasas)
that a human being can conceive, the Śrimad Devī Bhāgavatam.
May that Highest Primal Śakti who is known as Vidyā in the Vedas; who is
omniscient, who controls the innermost of all and who is skilled in cutting
off the knot of the world*, who cannot be realised by the wicked and the
vicious, *but who is visible to the Munis in their meditation, may that
Bhagavatī Devī give me always the buddhi fit to describe the Purāṇa!
That is denominated as Purāṇa which contains the following five
characteristics :-- (1) Creation of the universe, (2) Secondary creation,
(3) Dynasties (4) Manvantaras and (5) The description of Manus and other
kings.Śiva is beyond Prākritic attributes, eternal and ever omnipresent;
She is without any change, immutable, unattainable but by yoga; She is the
refuge of the universe and Her nature is Turīya Caitanya. Mahā Lakshmi is
Her Sattvikī Śakti; Sarasvati is Her Rājasik Śakti and Mahā Kālī is Her
Tāmasik Śakti; these are all of feminine forms.
21-25. The assuming of bodies by these three Śaktis for the creation of
this universe is denominated as "Sarga" (creation) by the high souled
persona (Mahārpuruṣa), skilled in Śastras. And the further resolution of
these three Śaktis into Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśa for the creation,
preservation, and destruction of this universe is denominated (in this
Purāṇa) as Pratisarga (secondary ereation.) The description of the kings of
the solar and lunar dynasties and the families of Hiraṇya Kasipu and others
is known as the description of the lineages of kings and their dynasties.
The description of Svāyambhūva and, other Manus and their ruling periods is
known as Manvantaras. And the description of their descendants is known as
the description of their families. (Thus these are the five characteristics
in the Purāṇas.) O best of Munis! all the Purāṇas are endowed with these
five characteristics.
26-32. So is Mahābhārata writen by Vedavyāsa, characterised by these five
things. This is known as the fifth Veda and Itihāsa (history.) In this are
something more than one lakh slokas.
When the Rishi's themselves find short of words to describe Consciousness,
how could the layman string it into words? It is like a deep sea diver
describing Ocean to a villager who had never seen more than well-water. He
could show a bottle of sea water to the villager and if the villager was an
Egoistic person not believing in the Existence of Ocean, would spit out the
salty water of the Ocean water branding it as "tasteless-brine water".
This led the Rishi's to develop Symbolic Images of this Ocean of
Consciousness and the river of Awareness to well-water layman. This became
the fundamental basis to put their research findings into Vedic
literature. It is not a single Rishi who wrote these Vedic texts. Over
ages the knowledge had been accrued similar to Modern Scientific
Research. The language style of modern scientists is different from
how they convey among their peers than with the layman. Among peers they
use technical words ,but for the Public they use pictures and symbols and
stories to explain. Similarly Rishi's abstract findings are technical
words which they use to convey among their peers. For layman they used
Puranas or Mythology to reach the public. In the next few pages we will see
how they beautifully conveyed the message of Consciousness, Awareness,
Intellect, Mind, sense organs and many more aspects of the mind of
Individuality, Ego, different negative and positive thoughts. All these
became human characters. The character's are fictional but what they
implied is not fiction, it is real that we experience in every day to day
life.
Rama was the world’s first king to build a bridge across the sea. But
he did not do it on his own. He sought the help of a great engineer called
Nala according to Valmiki Ramyana. Any wise man will seek local knowledge
when he ventures in new places. Nala knew the shallow areas across the sea
in and around Tamilnadu. American space agency NASA also confirmed that
there was a bridge through the satellite pictures. Some may argue that it
was some natural rock projection. Any wise engineer will use such naturally
elevated areas instead of deep waters to build a bridge. Thanks to Nala,
the Tamil engineer , Rama was able to cross the sea!!
Another story of a squirrel helping Rama while he was building a bridge is
found in Ramayana. Ancient people were wise to use the animals to find any
hidden dangers. Snakes, dogs and cats can feel the tremors of earth even
before major earth quakes strike a region. They simply run to safe areas.
This is what Nala and Rama did by using the squirrels. The Indus Valley
seal, 3000 year old Middle Eastern seals and the Jataka story called Baveru
Jataka narrate how we used crows to find the land during sea voyages.
Lord Krishna invented Boomerang. The Sudharsana Chakra he used killed his
victims and returned to him the very next minute. This is made amply clear
in the stories of Sisupala Vadham and Gajendra Moksham.
With Arjuna he cleared a very big forest area called Khandava Forest by
burning them. This resulted in very big clashes spanning several
generations even after Krishna’s accidental death by an arrow from a
hunter. Nagas (people with snake totem) challenged to kill the king
Parikshit within seven days. Parikshit had all the security in the world
like Black Cat commandos of modern India. But a murderer hid himself in the
fruit basket that went in to the palace and assassinated king Parikhit.
After this murder- revenge –murder cycle a settlement was reached.
According to the peace agreement even today the Brahmins in their three
times a day ritual called Sandhya Vandhanam repeat that peace agreement
with the mantra ‘’Narmadhayai Nama: —–
Bageeratha changed the course of the mighty river Ganges. The vast forest
areas of modern Bihar,Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal were made in to fertile
lands by his marvellous engineering feat. In those days very few people
lived in those jungles. Puranas say that Bageeratha did a penance for
several thousand years to do this that too ‘standing in one feet’. This is
a phrase Indians use very often. Even the great Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar use
the simile of Stork that stands in one foot to catch a fish. This is the
hidden language to say that he tried for very long time with focused
attention.
Vedic Saint Agasthya discovered the land route to South India via
Vindhyas. The Puranas say that he ‘’subdued the arrogance of the hills’’.
This is hidden language. Till Agastya’s this great discovery kings and
travellers used only sea route. Since they knew the secret of monsoon winds
they can travel to West Bengal or Maharashtra from Sri Lanka in a few
months time. He was the first one to cross Indian ocean and establish Hindu
Empire in South East Asia. Puranas say that ‘’he drank the ocean and spit
it back after killing the asura’’( sea pirates). Even today we find the
staues of Agastya in Indonesia and Cambodia.
He killed sea pirates who gave lot of troubles to Tamil Kings . He codified
Tamil grammar. He changed the course of river Cauvery for the benefit of
the Tamils. Tamil Pandya King Sri Maran established a Hindu empire in
Cambodia in second century AD. His name is in a Sanskrit inscription in
Cambodia. He may be Muda Thiru Maran or Kadalul Mayntha Ilam Peru Vazuthi
mentioned in Tamil Cankam literature.
Agastya led the first migration of Yadavas 18 branches in to Tamilnadu from
Guajrat. It is in Purananuru poem sung by Kapilar and commentated by
Nachinarkiniyar. When North India was suffering from population explosion
Lord Shiva sent him south and fond out a solution for the population
problem.
Uparichara Vasu, an ancient king made mountain passes for the benefit of
land travellers.He was a Vasu king ruling over the Chedi kingdom.
Mahabharata say that he kicked the Kolahal mountain which was blocking the
flow of Shaktimati river. This is hidden language to say that he diverted
the river for irrigation by cutting the hills. Incidentally Uparichara’s
wife is named Girika meaning Miss Hills. The story goes that he was born in
the river. Actual meaning is she is a tribal woman with local knowledge.
In short Bageerathan, Agastya and Uparichara Vasu are the earliest
engineers who built dams across the rivers. But unlike modern engineers
they did not use cement or mortar but they used the hills themselves. To
avoid the force they made checks and balances. They use a hidden language
saying that Shiva bore the force when Ganga came down from heaven. The
heaven is just Himalayas!!
Parasuraman retrieved lot of land and gave it to Keralites. A Pandya king
also did this. His name was Nilam Tharu Vil Nediyon. Also known as Maa
Keerthi meaning ‘Great Fame’. He built sea walls to prevent sea invading in
to land. But they use the hidden language to say that he prevented the sea
by showing his bow with very great anger.
Balraman always travelled with an axe to clear the forests and make them
cultivable. He was a great agriculturist. When Krishna spent most of his
time in politicks, his brother Balarama did constructive work.
Rik Veda and Puranas mention great architects- Twasta and Maya. Of these
two, Maya was the most famous. His followers took the building construction
work to the whole of South and Central Americas. Even today Maya’s
buildings can be seen in Maya,Aztec,Inca and Tolmec civilizations. The
Thousand Pillar Halls which Nayak kings built in Madurai and other places
were mentioned in Mayan civilization works. Incidentally Rik Veda also
mentions 1000 oared ships 1000 pillar mandaps!!!
Vedic rishis/ascetics say that they enjoy saying anything with hidden
meanings. That is why ancient Tamils translated Vedas as SECRET. Ithihasas
also used a language of idioms and phrases. A child in a western country
says Mum, buy me the game, I will give you million kisses. The child did
not mean literally one million kisses. Ancient Indians used a sort of
language and said that Dasaratha had 60,000 wives. Vedas also use this
number in many places to say that Indra killed 60,000.What they wanted to
say is ‘’a lot of’’.Not literally 60,00, Buddhist literature use 500 for
everything. They a king visited 500 prostitutes. No one takes the meaning
literally. Tamils used 16000 pon (gold) for most gifts. Even today in
Brahmin marriages when the close relatives of brides and grooms donate
something the priest will say a mantra and add ‘’lakasham katti varahan’’
mama donation 101 rupees. The actual meaning is uncle donated just 101
rupees which is equal to 100000 lumps of gold!!
When thousands or hundreds of years lapse people lose the original meaning
of those idioms and phrases and start taking literal meaning. Modern day
youths with their scientific bent of mind and back ground ridiculed these
things as a pigment of imagination. Let us re interpret our Puranas and
Ithihasas, but very very carefully. We should not confuse the already
confused Hindu youths. The westerners made very big chaos by wrong
interpretations. Take any one’s date Like Kalidasa or the date of Vedas or
the Origin of Tamils. Ten different authors say ten different things. They
did not dare to do such things to Greeks or Romans or Sumerians or
Egyptians. Even when they did this, they were all corrected long ago. But
Indian students are still reading the 300 year old history books written by
westerners but printed with new wrappers. The old history book by Smith
even has a picture of Brahmins with tufts fighting with aboriginals!!!
Aryans Vs Dravidians!!! Divide and Rule!!
WHO IS AN AVIVEKI
"Aviveki" (अविवेक or अविवेकी) generally translates to unwise, imprudent, or
lacking discrimination. It can also mean inconsiderate, thoughtless, or
unreasonable. The term suggests a deficiency in judgment, wisdom, or
prudence.
Imprudence/Lack of Prudence: This is a core meaning, indicating a lack of
good judgment or caution in decision-making.
Lack of Discrimination: In a philosophical context, particularly in
Sanskrit, "Viveka" (विवेक) means discrimination or discernment. "Aviveka" (
अविवेक) is the absence of this. This can refer to the inability to
distinguish between right and wrong, or between different qualities or
things.
Inconsiderate/Thoughtless: The term can also describe someone who is
careless about the impact of their actions on others.
Unreasonable: It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are not
fair or sensible.
DO I HAVE TO WRITE MORE ON SYMBOLISM WHICH SAUNAKA 5000 YEARS BACK
SAID 5 PARTS OF PURANAS INCLUDING Mahabhartham and Ramayanam.
Mr Gopalakrishnan did not answer about 4 avatars but tried to defend
the TARA version in spite of telling TARA BALAM CHANDRABALAM. Idiots are to
be answered when they see a raja parvai!!!
K Rajaram IRS 8825
On Fri, 8 Aug 2025, 18:53 gopala krishnan, <[email protected]> wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I do not know what and how to respond to Mr. Rajaram's response? Mr.
> Rajaram may also respond churning of milky ocean is also symbolic. If all
> these are symbolic even the epic Ramayana and Mahabharatha also can be
> symbolic.
>
> I can write about Mr. Rajaram's postings where legends were told also
> symbolic.
>
> Sirs, These are all things happened in Sathya yuga. Afterwards Thretha
> yuga and Dwapara yuga are over.
> I do not know what symbolism is involved in the birth of Saturn, Yama and
> Karna to quote.
>
> In Kaliyuga one can say all epics and legends are symbolic.
>
> Gopalakrishnan
>
> On Friday 8 August, 2025 at 01:44:49 pm IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> In Kritha Yuga, also known as Satya Yuga, the first four avatars of Vishnu
> are said to have appeared: Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar),
> and Narasimha (half-man, half-lion). These avatars are believed to have
> manifested to restore balance and righteousness during this age of truth
> and perfection, according to some Hindu texts and interpretations’ STRANGE
> THAT QUORA DID NOTKNOW ABOUT IT ALL 4 ASURAS!!
>
> NOW WITHOUT GOING THROUGH SO MANY PURANA ANECDOTES ARE NUMBERED,
> AND ONE EPISODE ISS POINTED OUT AS TARA W/O GURU WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
> BEEN SWEEKARANAMED AND BUDA WAS BORN TO THEM.
>
> First of all, implications of Puranic stories revealing the
> symbolism written by so many people, are not only being missed but also
> elaborated as of an atheist.
>
> Soma Dhaksha 27 daughters given in marriage, soma wooing only
> one more, eloped with TARA begot Bhudan etc are all, SYMBOLIC ASTRONOMY
> FACTORS, RETOLD AS STORIES IN PURANAS. APPLICATION OF MIND IS MORE
> ESSENTIAL WHEN WE DO WRITE PORNOGRAPHICALLY BY A BRAHMIN.
>
> In Hindu astronomy, the sky is divided into 28 parts, or
> nakshatras, based on 28 different constellations, one of which is supposed
> to have disappeared so effectively that there remain only 27. These
> constellations or houses are visualised as goddesses. It is said that the
> moon god was married to all of them, but he preferred only one of his
> wives, which is the reason the 28th wife disappeared. The remaining 26
> complained to their father, who got so angry with the moon god for
> preferring one wife over the others, that he cursed the moon god with
> tuberculosis, kshyayrog or wasting disease.
>
> The moon started to wane and he kept waning. When he was about to
> disappear, he prayed to the great god, Shiva, who, through the practice of
> yoga, created energy within him. He then could energise the moon, who
> started waxing again. Therefore, Ardhachandra, the half moon or the
> crescent shape of the waning phase of the moon, represents the moment
> between death and rebirth, and plays an important visual symbol in Hindu
> mythology. It represents Shiva’s power, who is often described as the god
> with the crescent moon on his locks. Oftentimes, Shiva is equated with the
> moon, its shifting phases reflecting his moodiness, its glow representing
> his beauty.
>
> Another story of the moon god is that he fell in love with the wife
> of the planet, Jupiter. Jupiter is called Brihaspati in Hinduism. He is the
> guru of the gods of the sky or the devas. Brihaspati is an old man, serious
> and rational. He lacks the passion found in Chandra, who is the most
> handsome of all gods and is associated with emotions, romantic desires and
> moodiness. Brihaspati’s wife, Tara, which also means star, grew bored of
> Brihaspati, and eventually eloped with Chandra.
>
> This led to a crisis in the heavenly kingdoms, because Brihaspati
> went to Indra, the king of the sky, and demanded his wife be brought back.
> If Brihaspati did not perform any rituals for the devas, they were doomed
> to face defeat in battle. Indra had to fight Chandra and force him to let
> Tara go, who returned home pregnant, and everybody wondered whose child it
> was.
>
> Tara refused to say anything. When asked, the child in the womb
> revealed he was a love child, born of the moon god. This angered Brihaspati
> so much that he cursed the child to be born as an androgynous being. At
> birth, this androgynous being was called Mercury or Budh, the child of the
> star goddess and the moon god. And therefore, Mercury is changeable,
> neither this nor that, both male and female.
>
> This makes for an interesting story in Hindu mythology. We have a
> mercurial god, who is androgynous. We have a moon god, who is romantic and
> emotional, and who is punished for favouritism. We have planet Jupiter, who
> is associated with rationality and who is hurt that women prefer the heart
> over the mind. Thus, the stars, planets and celestial bodies were used to
> map the human mind by ancient poets and seers of India.
>
> TARA is star; Moon is planet getting the light from SUN; Moon and
> Bhudan are the nearest planets to the earth. In Astrology, in any Jadagam,
> Moon and bhudhan will always be together or parted by few degrees one
> behind the other. TARA NAD GURU ARE THE FARTHEST FRO THE EARTH WHILE BHUDA
> AND MOON ARE CLOSEBY. SO BHUDA MUST BE CONNECTED MORE TO MOON THAN GURU AS
> BHUDA MIGHT BECOME THE FARTHEST IF WERE TO BE BORN TO GURU AND TARA END.
>
> ARE WE NOT RECITING? “TARA BALAM ,CHANDRA BALAM THATHEVA”?
>
> Chandra is considered to be the first of the Chandra-vamshi,
> followed by Budh and then his son Pururava (This is Utkarsh Speaking:
> Urvashi and Pururavas). The heroes of the epic Mahabharat are all
> chandra-vamshis and surely go on to display their preoccupation with sex.
> To sum it, let me quote Prof. Satya Chaitanya, “The moon is the deity of
> the mind in both Vedic literature and subsequent Indian philosophy. And the
> mind is a slave to passions. In any case, a legacy of the moon god thus is
> one of powerful sexual longing – amoral or immoral – and this becomes the
> legacy of a vast number of kings in the lunar dynasty. King after king
> falls because he becomes a victim to unbridled sexuality.” And this as they
> say is history of epic proportions, as we see Yayati, Shantanu,
> Vichitraveer, etc. are examples of this.
>
> If one opines that Tara, the woman is only a means to discuss
> the topic of adultery, then that would be an extremely myopic view. The way
> she exercises her choice, stays on with Chandra, and is not faulted ever,
> is significant in the narrative to bring out her position of a woman, who
> had a choice.
>
> We have the planets in pairs of male and female archetypes as
> Sun-Moon and Mars-Venus. The pair of planets Mercury-Saturn are
> androgynous. Jupiter, the generous giving male planet, is the only one
> who doesn’t seem to have a pair. I found it odd that there was no mention
> of Brihaspati’s wife, Tara, in astrology, especially since a wife is needed
> in all rituals. Then I remembered that in mythology, Tara falls in love
> with Chandra. Tara means stars. So, now I am wondering if the Lunar
> Mansions, as one, is actually Brihaspati’s wife. It makes sense when we
> compare the amount of time the Chandra spends with each of them,
> effectively becoming the lover, whereas Brihaspati takes his time with
> his generosity. Or another way would be, Brihaspati’s nakshatra is
> Pushya, which falls in the sign of Chandra, and Chandra gets to visit her
> more often than Brihaspati does, effectively making Chandra the lover while
> Brihaspati goes around the zodiac slowly doing his work. (pushya the star
> (tara) is visited often) So, would Brihaspati in Pushya have more
> significance somehow, it being the coming together of the higher octave of
> male-female energies?
>
> K Rajaram IRS 8825
>
> On Fri, 8 Aug 2025 at 12:32, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
> *TARAKAMAYA: THE WAR OVER TARA-Forward*
>
> Dear friends,
>
> There was a query in Quora whether there was any war in Sathya yuga like
> Rama and Ravana in Thretha yuga, Mahabhabharatha war in Dwaparayuga. There
> was a short answer about war between Devas and Asuras in Sathya yuga on
> abduction of Tharamaya.
>
> Today my posting is about the war in Sathya yuga told in detail in
> different websites. No compilation is done.
>
> Hope an interesting and INFORMATIVE reading about the war in Sathya Yuga.
>
> Gopalakrishnan 8-8-2025.
>
> Google search answer in brief
>
> The war over Tara, wife of Brihaspati, is known as the Tarakamaya War and
> is a significant event in *Hindu mythology during the Satya Yuga. *It
> erupted when the moon god, Soma, abducted Tara, Brihaspati's wife, and
> refused to return her despite pleas from the gods. This led to a fierce
> battle between the gods and demons, with Shiva and Vishnu playing prominent
> roles on the side of the gods. Ultimately, Brahma intervened, forcing
> Soma to return Tara.
>
> Here's a more detailed breakdown:
>
> The Abduction:
>
> Soma, the moon god, desired Tara and forcibly took her from her husband,
> Brihaspati, the guru of the gods.
>
> The War:
>
> Brihaspati, along with the other gods, waged war against Soma and the
> demons who sided with him, led by Shukracharya, the guru of the demons.
>
> Key Participants:
>
> Shiva, Vishnu, and Indra led the charge on the side of the gods, while
> Shukracharya and his demon hordes supported Soma.
>
> Brahma's Intervention:
>
> The war raged for a long time, causing devastation and prompting the gods
> to seek Brahma's intervention.
>
> Resolution:
>
> Brahma, the creator god, intervened and ordered Soma to return Tara to
> Brihaspati, bringing an end to the conflict.
>
> Consequences:
>
> *The war resulted in the birth of Budha (Mercury), Tara and Soma's son,
> who became a skilled warrior.*
>
> Significance:
>
> The Tarakamaya War is considered one of the most significant and
> devastating battles in Hindu mythology, even though it is not described in
> great detail in the Mahabharata. The conflict highlights themes of love,
> jealousy, and rivalry, as well as the complex relationships between the
> gods and their consorts
>
> First site
>
> Today, I bring you another family drama, this time about the Moon. *If
> there’s any god in Hinduism that has constantly committed sins and took the
> immoral path, it is Soma, the Moon god*. In this story, Soma kidnaps his
> own Guru’s wife, eventually leading to a whole war between the Devas and
> Asuras. *I like to think of this story as essentially the Indian
> equivalent of the Trojan War story in Greece.*
>
> Soma’s Rajasuya Yagna
>
> This story is in the Harivamsha, Book 1, Chapter 25 and the Brahmanda
> Purana, Upodghata-parva, Chapter 65
>
>
>
> The sage Atri, one of the Manasputras (mind-born sons) of Brahma, wanted
> to have a child. He performed a silent penance for three-thousand celestial
> years. As he was deep in meditation, his body rose up into the sky and
> streams of tears began flooding from his eyes. Ten goddesses from the ten
> directions (north, south, east, west, northeast, northwest, southeast,
> southwest, zenith, nadir) together conceived a embryo with a child inside. But
> due to the divinity of this child, the ten women could not contain it and
> the child fell down to the Earth.
>
> As the child fell, Lord Brahma caught the child in his chariot of thousand
> horses. He encircled the Earth twenty-one times and then came down onto
> the Earth. This child became Soma. The child performed penance for a
> thousand years and attained immense power and glory. *Due to his penance,
> Brahma appointed him the god of the Moon (Chandra). He also became the lord
> of medicinal plants, grasses, and seeds.*
>
> Daksha gave his 27 daughters (the 27 Nakshatra constellations) to Soma in
> marriage. Soma then decided to perform the Rajasuya Yagna. The Shatapatha
> Brahmana describes this as the ultimate ritual, meant for declaring a world
> emperor. But this was a special Rajasuya yagna. Gods and sages like Atri,
> Bhrigu, Sanatkumara, Brahma, and even Vishnu himself were priests in this
> yagna. This yagna further increased Soma’s power and glory around the
> universe.
>
> The Kidnapping of Tara
>
> This story is in the Padma Purana, Srishti-khanda, Chapter 12
>
> As Soma attained immense fame, his arrogance and immorality increased.
> One day, he saw a beautiful woman walking around in a garden. She was
> adorned with bright flowers and ornaments. This woman’s name was Tara,
> and her husband was none other than Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas. *But
> when Soma saw her, his heart missed a beat. He instantly fell in love and
> in lust, he seized her by the hair and kidnapped her, taking her to his
> house*. Time went on, and Tara developed feelings for Soma. They would
> spend all day in Soma’s palaces, enjoying each other’s company.
>
> When Brihaspati found out about his wife’s abduction, he was enraged. He
> sent Maruts( *My note- Martuthir Devathas-we refer in Kandarshi tharpanam
> tomorrow on upakarma day*), Sadhyas, Dikapalas, and other gods to
> convince Soma to return his wife, but Soma refused. Even Brahma went to
> ask Soma to return Tara, but Soma didn’t care. Eventually, Lord Shiva
> became angry. Shiva had studied under Angiras, Brihaspati’s father, and
> he was good friends with Brihaspati. Indra too sided with his Guru
> Brihaspati. Thus, Shiva and Indra led an army of gods against Soma. At
> the same time, the Asuras and their guru Shukracharya sided with Soma.
> Hence, an all-out war broke out between the Devas and the Asuras.
>
> Tarakamaya War
>
> This story is in the Padma Purana, Srishti-khanda, Chapter 12
>
> Just a quick background: the Puranas describe 12 major wars between the
> Devas and the Asuras, and several other minor ones. The word Tarakamaya
> (Sanskrit: तारकामय युद्ध) literally translates to ‘war over the love of
> Tara’. Tarakamaya is said to be the 5th major war between the Devas and
> the Asuras.
>
> The Tarakamaya war is described as a deadly and bloody conflict. On
> Brihaspati’s side were the gods, Ganas, Yakshas, Siddhas, all led by Shiva.
> On Soma’s side were what seemed like oceans of Vetalas, Sarpas, Kinnaras,
> Nagas, Rakshasas, and Asuras like Jambha and Kujambha. Both sides
> launched powerful weapons capable of destroying entire planets. Shiva
> launched the Brahmashiras, a weapon superior to even the Brahmastra. Both
> sides had heavy casualties. The world was on the verge of destruction as
> this war continued for a long time.
>
> The Birth of Mercury
>
> This story is in the Harivamsha, Book 1, Chapter 25 and the Brahmanda
> Purana, Upodghata-parva, Chapter 65
>
> As the war continued, the Tushitas (a class of Devas) asked Brahma to
> intervene, or else the war would go on forever. Thus, Brahma came on the
> battlefield and prevented Shiva and Shukracharya from fighting. He
> ordered Soma to give Tara back to Brihaspati. Finally, Soma relented. He
> was tiring of fighting, so he returned Tara.
>
> *But there was one problem: Tara was pregnant*. In some versions of the
> story, Tara gave birth to the child after one year. But in other versions,
> Brihaspati ordered Tara to give birth to the child right then and there. But
> anyways, when Tara gave birth to the child, both Soma and Brihaspati
> claimed to be the father. They both argued over who the father was. When
> they asked Tara, she gave no reply out of the shame that she had slept with
> two men.
>
> At this point, the divine child himself was about to curse his own mother
> if she didn’t reveal his true father. Tara looked down and silently
> mumbled, “He is Soma’s.” *Soma proudly wore a smile on his face as he
> lifted up his child and named it ‘Budha’*. Budha, also known as
> ‘Dasyuhantama’, is the god of the planet Mercury.
>
> Budha would go on to marry Ila and have a son named Pururavas, the first
> king of the famous lunar dynasty of kings (Chandravansha).
>
> WIKIPEDIA
>
> The greatest war happened in Satya yuga and arguably, most devastating
> war. It was the Tarakamaya war, Ramayana and Mahabharata pales in
> comparison to this. The conflict occurred after Soma abducted Tara, wife of
> Brihaspati. Despite the devas requesting him to return her, Soma did not
> relent,
>
> The Tarakamaya War . 'war over the love of Tara' 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. It is mentioned
> in the Padma Purana, and described to be the fifth war in the series of
> Devasura Sangrama, the battles between the devas and the asuras.
>
> 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.
>
> 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, 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*.
>
> Indra is stated to have slain Virochana, the son of Prahlada, who had
> sided with Soma. *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*
> .
>
> Quora Answer
>
> Q If Ramayana belongs to Treta Yuga and Mahabharata
> belongs to Dwapara Yuga, what happened in Satya Yuga?
>
> A Eagle,HK7mo
>
> The greatest war happened in Satya yuga and arguably, most devastating
> war. It was the Tarakamaya war, Ramayana and Mahabharata pales in
> comparison to this.
>
> *The conflict occurred after Soma abducted Tara, wife of Brihaspati*.
> Despite the devas requesting him to return her, Soma did not relent, Gods
> headed by Shiva, Vishnu and Indra launched an assault on Soma who was
> assisted by Shukracharya(due to enmity with Brihaspati) and his demon
> hordes.
>
> As per puranas, in this battle, Vishnu killed a demon named Kalanemi as
> well as several others, whilst Shiva hurled Brahmashira against demons. ,
> *Shukracharya
> was the main adversary of Siva in this battle.*
>
> The war went for a long time with either side undefeated,. A group of
> devas requested Brahma to put an end to it. Brahma's intervention
> concluded the war and Tara was restored to Brihaspati.
>
> He disregarded the sons of Aṅgiras and suddenly abducted the renowned wife
> of Bṛhaspati named Tārā.
>
> 30. Even after being requested by the Devas and divine sages, he never
> let-off Tārā to Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgiras.
>
> 31-33. Uśanas took up his (Soma’s) side and Bhava (Śiva) that of Aṅgiras
> (i.e. Bṛhaspati), for that person of great brilliance was the disciple of
> the father of Bṛhaspati formerly. It was out of this affection that lord
> Rudra became the ally of Bṛhaspati and took the bow Ajagava.
>
>
>
> A great miraculous missile named Brahmaśiras was discharged by that
> noble-souled one after aiming at the Devas, whereby their reputation was
> destroyed.
>
> 34. There a well-known battle between the Devas and Dānavas took place. It
> was known as Tārakāmaya (concerning Tārā). It was destructive of the worlds.
>
> 35. The Devas who survived this battle are remembered as Tuṣitas. They
> sought refuge in God Brahmā, the primordial lord, the grandfather of the
> world.
>
> 36. Then the grandfather (i.e. Brahmā) himself came there and prevented
> Uśanas and Rudra, from fighting. He restored Tārā to Aṅgiras (Bṛhaspati).
>
> ~Brahmanda Purana.
>
> O dear one, formerly Bṛhaspati’s glorious wife named Tārā was forcibly
> kidnapped by the powerful Candra (i.e. the Moon). Kidnapping Bṛhaspati’s
> wife the Moon took her to his house and dallied with her for a long time. O
> dear one, after some time she conceived. Then Bṛhaspati appealed (to Candra
> to return) his wife. Candra too, overcome by pride and puffed up by his
> power, did not give her (back). Then, O dear one, Bṛhaspati, getting ready
> along with gods like Indra, started fighting with the powerful Candra. To
> help Candra Śukra then came there to the battle that was commenced with the
> demons. Then a great war for Tārā took place. All people will look upon
> (that battle called) Tārakāmaya as important. In that very terrible war
> (both) gods and demons were killed. O dear one, no one was victorious or
> defeated. *Then Brahmā came there, and stopping that fierce battle, gave,
> after admonishing the Moon, Tārā to Bṛhaspati. Bṛhaspati, seeing Tārā to be
> pregnant, was angry, and in the presence of Brahmā (said to) Tārā in the
> gathering of the gods and demons.*
>
> ~ Padma Purana
>
> Having disregarded Brihaspati, the son of Angiras, the moon by force
> carried away his illustrious wife Tara.
>
> 31. And albeit solicited by the gods and Rishis, he did not return her.
> Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods, was accordingly enraged with him.
>
> 32-33. Ushana (Suka) began to protect his sides. The illustrious deity
> Rudra was formerly a disciple of Vrihaspati’s father. Out of reverence for
> him he (Rudra) protected his rear,
>
> 34-35. A terrible battle, destructive of the gods and demons on account of
> Tara, was fought at the place where the high-souled Siva discharged his
> mighty weapon Brahmasiras—for the destruction of the demons and where their
> glory was (accordingly) destroyed.l
>
> 36. 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 Brahma.
>
> *37. Thereupon the Grand-father himself came there, prevented Sukra and
> Sankara (to fight) and gave back Tara to Vrihaspati.*
>
> ~Harivamsa purana.
>
> It's not given in detail in Mahabharata, only parts of it are mentioned.
>
> Indeed, it was upon that car that Indra and Vishnu had fought of old in
> the battle (with the Asuras) in which Taraka (the wife of Vrihaspati) had
> become the immediate cause of much slaughter.
>
> I put this armour on thy body, joining its pieces with the aid of Brahma
> strings. In days of yore, Brahma himself had thus put it on Vishnu in
> battle. Even as Brahma himself had put this celestial armour on Sakra in
> the battle caused by the abduction of Taraka.
>
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