Pururavas, filled with curiosity and longing, approached his mother Ila and humbly asked, “Mother, please tell me about that very first thing of mine.” Ila hesitated, for the matter was secret and weighed with sorrow, but seeing her son’s earnestness, she replied, “How can I speak of such a secret, my child? Yet, for parents drowning in the ocean of grief, a son is truly the supreme raft, the means of salvation. Therefore, I will tell you.” Moved by her words, Pururavas bowed at her feet and pleaded, “Mother, speak to me openly, just as it is.” Thus, Ila began to recount her story. She told Pururavas of the noble Ikshvaku lineage, of her own birth into that illustrious family, her given name, her rise to the throne, and her beloved sons. She spoke of the wise family priest Vasistha, her dear husband, her own royal position, her decision to leave for the forest, and the ministers and priest who served her. Ila went on to describe how she was sent away from the city, her fondness for hunting, and her journey to the caves of the Himalayas. There, she stayed in the house of the lord of the Yakshas. She told of how she entered the sacred grove of Uma, where, by the command of Maheshvara, no man was permitted to enter, and she was wholly transformed into womanhood. She recounted the words of the Yakshini who granted her a boon, the coming of Budha, the joy they shared at the birth of a son, and all the events that followed, leaving nothing untold. Having heard all this, Pururavas asked his mother, “What shall I do now? By what actions may I attain merit? If you are satisfied, let it be so; but if there is anything else in your heart, command me, and I will do it.” He continued, “I desire to attain the highest form of manhood, to achieve the supreme kingdom, and the consecration of your sons, especially yours. I long to give gifts, perform sacrifices, and contemplate the path of liberation. I wish to accomplish all this by your grace. Please, tell me the means by which true manhood may be attained—whether by austerity or some other way; speak to me the truth.” Ila answered, “Go, my son, and ask your father Budha. That is proper. He knows all and will instruct you for your benefit.” At his mother’s bidding, Pururavas went straight to his father, bowed in reverence, and shared both his mother’s story and his own desires. Budha listened and replied, “I know all about Ila—her birth, her transformation, her entry into the forest of Uma, and the command of Shambhu. By the grace of Shambhu and the favor of Uma, the curse will be lifted; but only by worshipping them, not otherwise.” Pururavas then asked, “How may I see that god, or the mother Shiva? Is it through pilgrimage or austerity? Father, tell me the way.” Budha instructed him, “Go to Gautamī, my son. There, Shiva always resides in glory with Uma, the destroyer of curses and the bestower of boons.” Hearing his father’s words, Pururavas was filled with joy. The wise prince journeyed to Gautamī, to the sacred Ganges, purifier of the three worlds, intent on performing austerities. Desiring to regain his manhood and at his mother’s urging, he bowed to Himavat, the great mountain, as well as to his mother, father, and teacher. Ila, the son of Soma, followed his son, and together with their companions, they all reached Gautamī from the heights of Himavat. There, after bathing and engaging in austerities, they offered supreme praise to Bhava, the god of gods. First, Budha offered praise, then Ila, and then Pururavas, the son, praised Gauri, the goddess, and Shankara. Those two, whose forms are golden by nature, worshipped Skanda and Ganesha with saffron from their own bodies, seeking shelter in those worthy of refuge. They prayed to the two Shankaras, whom beings contemplate when afflicted by the threefold suffering of worldly existence, and who grant supreme bliss. “O god, I am afflicted, my mind tormented; there is no other protector from distress than your two supremely holy feet—may those two, worthy of refuge, be my shelter. From whom all arises and into whom all dissolves at the end—Gauri and Hara, the refuge and essence of the universe—may they be my shelter. Those two feet, which were grasped by the Lord at the great festival among the gods, by Shiva out of affection at the request of the Daughter of the Mountain—may those feet be my shelter.” Pleased with their devotion, the divine couple appeared and said, “Tell me, what boon do you desire? I will grant it to you. You have accomplished your purpose. Even for the gods, this is difficult to achieve.” Pururavas addressed the goddess, “O Lady of the Gods, Queen of the Devas, King Ila entered the forest without your permission. Please forgive this, and restore his manhood, for you have the power.” The goddess replied, “So be it,” in harmony with the will of Bhava. Then the blessed Lord, always devoted to the words of the Goddess, spoke, “By the act of anointing here, this king shall regain his manhood.” From the body of Budha’s wife, after she had bathed, water flowed forth, carrying the dance, song, and beauty granted by the Yakshini. All these entered the waters of the Ganga, and from those dances, songs, and good fortune, new rivers came into being. These holy rivers, joining the Ganga, formed three sacred confluences. Bathing and giving gifts there bestow the reward of the sovereignty of the gods. Thus, Ila, by the grace of Gauri and Shambhu, regained his manhood and performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, attaining great prosperity. The noble king summoned the priest Vasistha, his wife, sons, ministers, army, and treasury. At that time, he established a fourfold army and a kingdom in Dandaka, and that city became known as Ila. Then, having installed his sons born previously—who continued the Solar dynasty—on the throne, he later anointed that Aila, his beloved son, out of deep affection, ensuring the continuation of the great lineage.