Maharshi Atri was a manas-putra, or mind-born son, of the creator god Brahma and one of the saptarishis or seven great sages. He once practiced tremendous austerity for a long period of time, which provided him with incredible spiritual energy. His power grew so strong that even he himself couldn't contain it.
As a result, the energy ascended from his body and reached the creator god in space. The energy returned to Earth after being reflected by the palm of Lord Brahma and entered into the womb of Devi Anasuya, Sage Atri's wife. Devi Anasuya soon gave birth to a magnificent son filled with boundless energy and radiance. He was the incarnation of Lord Brahma. The boy was named Chandra.
Chandra performed severe penance and austerity for a long time to please the Tridevas, and with their blessings, he became the Lord of the biggest and brightest celestial body of the night sky, the moon. He was the first person to perform Rajasuya yagna.
Chandradev, also known as Soma, used to travel the night sky on his three-wheeled chariot, drawn by antelope. Chandradev was married to the twenty-seven daughters of Prajapati Daksha, another mind-born son of the creator god. The twenty-seven daughters were the twenty-seven stars in the lunar constellations. They were Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigashira, Ardhra, Punervasu, Pushya, Ashlesha, Magha, Purva-phalguni, Uttar-phalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Svati, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyestha, Mula, Purva-ashadha, Uttar-ashadha, Sharavana, Dhanistha, Shatavisha, Purba-bhadrapada, Uttar-bhadrapada, and Revati.
Despite having twenty-seven wives, Chandradev was specifically more attracted to Rohini, and he gave more importance to her. That created resentment among his other wives, who complained to Daksha about him. Thus, Daksha became enraged and cursed Chandradev, saying that he would wear off slowly. Hearing so, Chandradev surrendered himself in front of Lord Shiva for his protection. Lord Shiva assured him that for fifteen days he would wear off, and then again for the next fifteen days he would regain his health and radiance. The cycle would continue for eternity. That explains the waning and waxing of the moon, according to Hindu mythology.
Tarakamaya Yuddha
Chandradev once went to meet Lord Brihaspati at his place. But Brihaspati was not present at home then. As Chandra was about to return, he unexpectedly noticed an exceptionally beautiful young lady strolling alone in the garden. She was Tara, the wife of Lord Brihaspati. Chandradev grew so enamored with her that he abducted her shamelessly and took her to his home. Tara first objected, but she eventually got captivated by Soma's beauty and youth.
When Brihaspati returned home a few days later, he discovered Tara was gone. He therefore felt bewildered, but soon learned from Narada Muni that Chandradev had abducted his wife. Brihaspati, filled with rage, went straight to visit Chandra. However, Chandra brashly informed him that while Tara was with him, he had not physically dragged her to his residence. Instead, Tara purposefully went with him since she didn't think it was appropriate to stay with an elderly man like Brihaspati. Even Chandra declined to give her back to Brihaspati.
Brihaspati was furious and reported to Devraj Indra about Chandra. Brihaspati was the guru of the devas. So, Indra, along with Surya, Vayu, Varun, and all the other gods of prominence, went to meet Chandra and asked him to give Tara back. But Chandra turned down their request. Thus, the devas made the decision to wrest Tara away from Chandradev by force. However, Chandradev foresaw this and had already made calls for assistance to the asuras, the devas' sworn enemies.
Thereafter, a severe battle broke out between the devas and asuras, centering on Tara. This was the one occasion when Brihaspati's greatest rival and the guru of the asuras, Sukracharya, had the chance to humiliate him. Rudra led the devas and yakshas in battle, while Virochana, the son of Prahlad, led the asuras, danavas, and nagas. The asuras and devas both suffered severe casualties.
Following the death of Asura King Virochana by Lord Indra, his son Bali assumed command of the army. With a hundred hands and a menacing appearance, Asura Kalnemi began to ruthlessly slay the devas. Lord Indra, finding no other option, began to pray to Lord Vishnu for assistance. On the battlefield, riding a garada, Lord Vishnu himself manifested and used his Sudarshan chakra to kill Kalnemi.
At last, Lord Brahma made up his mind to step in and put an end to the conflict. He appeared before Sukracharya, instructing him to plead with the asuras to put an end to the battle and give Tara back to Brihaspati. Indra was also told to cease fighting by Lord Brahma. On Sukracharya's advice, Chandradev returned Tara to Brihaspati. Brihaspati happily returned home with his wife and thus ended the battle.
But soon it was found that Tara was pregnant. When Brihaspati asked his wife about the identity of the father of the child, Tara refused to answer. Tara gave birth to a beautiful, radiant child, but everyone was confused about his identity. Then, after Brahma's request, Tara revealed that Chandra was the father of the child. The child was named Budha, and later he became the lord of another celestial body, the planet Mercury.
Chandradev was extremely happy to see him, but Budha was resentful and condemned Chandradev for his adultery. Therefore, even though Buddha was the son of Chandra, he still had animosity toward him.
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