Sheltered beneath the broad canopies of sal, palmyra, tamala, champaka, jackfruit, mango, nipa, and madhuka trees, and woven with a pavilion of fragrant madhavi vines, there lay an enchanting forest. Its beauty was further adorned by the bright fruits of pomegranate and coconut, and clusters of banana trees, all entwined with the delicate creepers of jasmine, malati, and kund flowers. The air was alive with the graceful presence of swans and cranes, the sweet calls of kicaka birds, and the gentle hum of bees, making the forest a place of every delight. When King Sudyumna arrived, surrounded by his attendants, he was filled with joy at the sight of trees heavy with blossoms and the melodious songs of cuckoos echoing all around. But as soon as the royal sage entered the forest’s heart, a wondrous transformation occurred: Sudyumna became a woman, and even his horse changed into a mare. Overwhelmed by anxiety, the king wondered again and again, “What is this?” Afflicted by sorrow and filled with shame, Sudyumna’s heart was troubled. He thought, “What shall I do now? How can I return home, bound in a woman’s form? How can I rule my kingdom? By whom have I been deceived?” Hearing this account, the sages said, “O Sūta, what you have told us is truly astonishing! Sudyumna, a king equal to the gods, has obtained womanhood. What is the cause of this? Tell us in detail about this enchanting forest and what befell the king.” Sūta replied: Once, the great sages led by Sanaka, wishing to see the Lord of the Mountain, arrived in that very forest, their presence brightening the quarters as if dispelling darkness. At that moment, Śaṅkara, the great god, was absorbed in play, surrounded by women, with his beloved Śivā in his lap, unclothed and filled with desire. The lovely goddess, delighting in her husband’s embrace, saw the sages and, being unclothed, was overcome with great shame. Rising from her husband’s lap, she quickly covered herself with a garment, standing there trembling, modest, and proud. Witnessing the intimacy of the divine couple, the sages respectfully turned away and departed for the hermitage of Nara-Nārāyaṇa. Seeing his bashful and desirous consort, the blessed Hara spoke gently: “Why are you overcome by shame? I will make you happy. From this day onward, O beautiful-faced one, any man who, out of delusion, enters this forest shall become a woman.” Thus, because of this curse, those who know its secret avoid the forest, which is now shunned for its faults. But Sudyumna, unaware of this fate, entered with his ministers, and so, without doubt, he and his companions all became women. Filled with anxiety and shame, the royal sage did not return home, but wandered in the forest, lost and uncertain. In this state of womanhood, the great-souled Sudyumna became known as Ilā. As Ilā wandered there, Budha, the youthful son of Soma, arrived in the forest. Seeing Ilā, surrounded by women, lovely and charming, adorned with the arts of gesture and expression, the blessed Budha was filled with desire for her. Ilā too wished for Budha as her husband, and so, out of mutual love, a union was formed. From their union, Budha begot a son named Purūravas, the foremost of emperors, upon Ilā. While dwelling in the forest, Ilā, troubled in mind, gave birth to her son and remembered her family preceptor, the eminent sage Vasiṣṭha. Filled with compassion for Sudyumna’s plight, Vasiṣṭha sought to please Mahadeva Śaṅkara, the benefactor of the world. The blessed Lord, satisfied by his devotion, granted the boon that Vasiṣṭha requested: the beloved king might regain his manhood. Śaṅkara, with words as sweet as nectar, declared, “For one month, the king shall be a man; for one month, a woman.” Thus, having received this boon, Sudyumna returned home and, by Vasiṣṭha’s favor, ruled his kingdom righteously. When in the form of a woman, Sudyumna remained in the palace; as a man, he governed the realm. Yet the people, troubled by this strange circumstance, did not rejoice in their king. In time, when his son Purūravas reached maturity, Sudyumna entrusted the throne to him and departed for the forest once more. There, in that delightful grove thick with many trees, he received from Narada the supreme nine-lettered mantra. Reciting the mantra with great devotion, his heart filled with love, the auspicious Goddess, the savior endowed with all qualities, was pleased. She appeared before him, radiant and beautiful, seated upon a lion, her eyes swirling with delight, intoxicated by Varuni’s drink. Overwhelmed with love at her divine form, Sudyumna bowed and joyfully praised the Mother of the world. Ilā said, “O Goddess, I have seen your renowned divine form, which brings welfare to all worlds. I bow to your lotus feet, served by the hosts of gods, giver of desires, Mother, and bestower of liberation. Who in this world knows you, Mother, when you take a mortal form? Even sages and all the gods are bewildered by you. Seeing your sovereignty and compassion for the humble, I am filled with wonder.” “Shambhu, Hari, the lotus-born, Maghavan, the Sun, the Lord of wealth, Fire, Varuna, Wind, and Soma—even the Vasus do not know your power. How could a human, lacking qualities, comprehend your virtues? Vishnu, of immeasurable brilliance, knows you directly as the sattvic, ocean-born, giver of all things. Who knows you as the rajasic Uma, or the tamasic form, O Mother of the Vedas? But surely, none know you as the attribute-less.” “Where am I, dull-minded and of little power, and where is your supreme skill, O Mother, who is so gracious to me? I know, O Bhavani, your deeds are filled with compassion, for you show mercy to those who serve you with devotion. You are served by Hari and the lotus-born, yet even Madhusudana does not find joy. The primordial person purifies your feet with fire and makes them auspicious and holy with his hand.” Thus, with devotion and humility, Ilā praised the Goddess, beholding her divine presence and the mystery of her compassion.