One of the famous wars between the Devatas and Dānavas is the Tārakāmaya war. This war took place when the Soma, the moon god abducted Tāra, the wife of Bṛhaspati. devatas took the side of Bṛhaspati whereas dānavas fought for Soma due to their enmity towards devatas. It is mentioned in various purāṇas. Similarly it is mentioned in Brahma Purāṇa also.
What interesting is that Rudra fought against devatas in the war. Following is an excerpt of the chapter from Brahma Purana in which the birth of Soma is described.
स याच्यमानो देवैश्च तथा देवर्षिभिर्मुहुः |
नैव व्यसर्जयत्तारां तस्माऐ त्र्प्रम्गिरसे तदा ||Although repeatedly requested by Devas and celestial sages, he(soma) did not handover Tārā to Angiras.
उशना तस्य जग्राह पार्ष्णिमन्गिरसस्तदा |
रुद्रश्च पार्ष्णि जग्राह गृहीत्वाजगवं धनुः || 9.21तेन ब्रह्मशिरो नाम परमास्त्रं महात्मना |
उद्दिश्य देवानुत्स्रुष्टं येनैषं नाशितं यशः || 9.22Ushanas attacked Angiras from the rear. Taking his bow Ajagava, Rudra did the same. A miraculous missile named Brahmishiras was launched by that noble deity Rudra against Devas. Thereby their fame was destroyed.
- Why did Rudra fight against the devas, sages and support moon god?
- Is the reason mentioned in any other purāṇa besides Brahma Purāṇa?