From that time onward, the sacred place became known as Vṛddhāsaṃgama. It is also famed as Ilā Tīrtha, a holy site that bestows every accomplishment upon those who visit, cleansing even the gravest sins, such as the slaying of a Brahmin, and granting all desires. In the illustrious lineage of Vaivasvata, there was a king named Ila. One day, accompanied by his great army, Ila journeyed into the hunting forests. As he wandered through the dense woodlands, alive with wild beasts and adorned with flocks of birds and clusters of trees, the king, intent on the hunt, resolved to speak with his ministers. He instructed them, “All of you should return to the city, which is ruled by my son. Protect the land, the treasury, the army, and the kingdom, and watch over him as well.” He further directed that the sage Vasiṣṭha, carrying the sacred fires as his father had done, should also depart. “I, with wisdom, will remain in the forest with my wives,” Ila declared. “Let those who delight in forest pleasures—horses, elephants, humans, and those who enjoy hunting—return to the city.” The ministers and companions agreed and departed. Ila himself slowly made his way to the jeweled mountain, Himavat, where he chose to dwell. There, he discovered a cave adorned with many precious gems. Within this cave lived a renowned Yakṣa lord named Samanyu, along with his wife Samānā, who was devoted to her husband’s vows. Together, the Yakṣa and his wife dwelled in that delightful and excellent city. This wise Yakṣa, with his wife, would sometimes take the form of a deer, wandering and playing in the forest, delighting in dance and song. While the Yakṣa was fully aware, even in his deer form, Ila did not know that the cave was under the Yakṣa’s protection. The Yakṣa’s spacious house, sparkling with jewels, became the place where King Ila settled with his great army. Ila made his dwelling there, unaware that it belonged to the wise Yakṣa. The Yakṣa, angered by the unrighteousness of this intrusion, pondered what to do as he wandered the forest in deer form with his wife. He thought, “I cannot defeat Ila, nor does he yield when asked. My house has been taken by him—what should I do?” Considering how he might overcome the king, he resolved, “How could I kill this intoxicated one in battle?” With this in mind, the Yakṣa king sent forth his own brave, bow-wielding Yakṣas. He commanded them, “Having conquered King Ila, fierce as an enraged elephant, you must drive him from my house as you would from elsewhere.” At their lord’s command, the Yakṣas, eager for battle, approached Ila and declared, “Come out from this cave dwelling! If you do not flee, defeated in battle, where will you go?” At the Yakṣas’ challenge, Ila grew angry and engaged them in battle. He conquered the many Yakṣas and remained in the cave for ten nights. Meanwhile, the lord of the Yakṣas, still in the form of a deer, lived in the forest with his wife. Having lost his home and servants, the Yakṣa entered the forest, troubled. He spoke to his beloved Yakṣiṇī, who had also taken the form of a doe. He said, “This king, O beloved, is troubled, his mind caught in misfortune; how does he encounter such calamity? Let us consider a remedy. All the kingdoms of earth’s rulers end in evil and misfortune. O fair-browed one, let us go to the forest; you become a charming doe. There, the king will surely enter, and a woman will arise. You must do this, gentle one, for it does not suit me. I am a man, and you are again a woman, a Yakṣiṇī.” He continued, “Why should you not go to the excellent forest of Uma? Even if you do, what fault is there? Tell me the truth of this.” On the great mountain Himavat, Shiva, accompanied by Uma, wandered at ease, attended by gods and followers. Once, Parvati spoke to Shankara in private, saying, “This is the nature of women: their pleasure must be guarded. Therefore, by your command, let my place be protected. Grant me, O lord of the gods, the forest of Uma, as I have heard; without you, Ganesha, Karttikeya, or Nandi. Whoever enters here, O lord, shall become a woman.” Thus, the gracious moon-crested Shiva gave the command for the forest of Uma. The Yakṣa then said, “What shall I do, O beloved, as a man, afflicted by your love? Therefore, I must not go to Uma’s excellent forest.” Hearing her husband’s words, the Yakṣiṇī, capable of assuming any form, transformed herself into a wide-eyed doe and appeared before Ila. The Yakṣa, standing nearby, saw Ila as he caught sight of the doe. Ila, his mind absorbed in hunting, was especially captivated upon seeing her. Alone and mounted on his horse, Ila set out in pursuit of the doe. She moved slowly, drawing the eager king deeper into the forest. The doe led him gradually to the place known as the forest of Uma, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden from his sight. She stood, moved, and ran in apparent fear, her restless eyes luring him ever onward toward Uma’s forest. At last, Ila, still mounted, entered the forest of Uma. The Yakṣiṇī, recognizing that Ila had entered, abandoned her deer form. She assumed a divine, celestial appearance and stood near an aśoka tree. Clinging to a branch with her hand, anointed with divine fragrance, slender and radiant in her celestial form, she had accomplished her purpose. Seeing the weary king, still on horseback and his gaze fixed on the vanished doe, she laughed.