In the depths of a forest, there wandered a woman of extraordinary beauty. Her hips and thighs were elegantly raised, her eyes stretched wide like lotus petals, and her face shone with the fullness of the moon. Her gaze was lively and expressive, captivating all who beheld her. Her arms were long and lifted gracefully from her shoulders; her hair was dark, curled, and lustrous. Fine hairs adorned her body, her teeth were perfectly shaped, and her speech was gentle yet resonant. Her complexion blended dusky and fair hues, and she moved with the grace of a swan or an elephant. Her arched eyebrows resembled a bow, and her slender fingers ended in coppery nails. As she wandered through the forest, this radiant woman pondered deeply: Who is my father or brother? Who is my mother here? To whom am I given as wife? How long will I remain on this earth? While she reflected thus, Soma’s son, Budha, saw her along with her companions. Ilā, her mind enraptured by beauty and her form radiant, was desired by Budha. Longing for her, he made efforts to win her affection, his heart afflicted by yearning. Budha was distinguished in appearance, bearing a staff, a water-pot, and a book, adorned with numerous sacred threads woven from bamboo rods. He appeared as a twice-born, with a topknot, earrings, and accompanied by proper students carrying fuel, flowers, sacred grass, and water. Searching in the forest, Budha did not call out to Ilā, but instead remained outside the grove, concealed among the trees. Suddenly, with agitation, he addressed her as if reproaching: “Having abandoned the tending of the sacred fire, where have you gone from my dwelling? This is your leisure time, which is now passing; come, come, woman of broad hips, why are you agitated, for what reason? This is the evening hour for recreation here; after applying ointment, decorate my house with flowers.” Ilā replied, “I do not know any of this, O ascetic. Tell me of myself, you as husband, and of my lineage, O sinless one.” Budha spoke to the slender woman, “Ilā, you are radiant in form; I am called Kāmuka, known as Budha, skilled in many arts. Born in a noble lineage, my father is chief among Brahmins.” Hearing his words, Ilā entered Budha’s house. The mansion was adorned with jewel pillars, wondrously crafted by divine illusion. Ilā, having achieved her purpose, considered herself fulfilled, dwelling in that splendid home. She marveled, “Ah, what conduct, what beauty, what wealth, what lineage—mine and my husband’s! Ah, what supreme charm!” Ilā enjoyed herself with Budha for a long time, in a house full of every pleasure, just as one might in Indra’s palace. Meanwhile, seeking the king, Manu’s sons—led by Ikshvaku—went to the place called Sharavana. There, all of them saw a mare standing at the front, her body shining with rays from a jeweled chariot, unmatched in beauty. Recognizing the chariot, they were struck with wonder: “This is the horse named Chandraprabha, belonging to that great soul. How did this excellent horse take the form of a mare, and for what reason?” They questioned Maitrāvaruṇi, the priest. “What is this strange event?” they asked. “Tell us, O best among those who know yoga.” Vasiṣṭha, seeing everything with the eye of meditation, spoke: “Long ago, a vow was made by Shiva’s beloved at Sharavana: any man who enters here will attain womanhood. This horse, too, became female along with the king, but will regain masculinity, just as he resembles the lord of wealth. In the same way, effort must be made by worshipping Pinākin (Shiva).” Then the sons of Manu went to where the god Maheshvara dwells. They praised Parvati and the supreme lord with various hymns. The two replied, “This vow cannot be broken, but now—whatever fruit comes from Ikshvaku’s ashvamedha, that shall be given to both. Then the valiant kimpurusha will certainly become a man.” Having agreed, the sons of Vaivasvata departed. Through Ikshvaku’s ashvamedha, the kimpurusha became Cela. For one month, the hero was a man; for another month, a woman. Dwelling in Budha’s house, Nila became pregnant. Budha begot a single son endowed with many virtues, and after producing that son, he departed for the heavenly realm. That land was then called Ilavrita, after Ilā. At the beginning of the lunar and solar dynasties, Ilā, son of Manu, was born. Thus, Pururavas became the progenitor of the lineage among men, and Ikshvaku, of the solar dynasty, is likewise renowned among ascetics. When Ilā was a kimpurusha, he was also called Sudyumna. Later, Sudyumna had three sons, all undefeated: Utkala, Gaya, and the mighty Haritashva. Utkala’s descendants are called Utkalas; Gaya’s are known as Gayas. Haritashva’s eastern region became famous, along with the Kurus. In Pratishthana, Sudyumna anointed a son of Pururavas as king. Ikshvaku, the eldest heir, obtained the central region to enjoy, which was covered by the assembly of the worlds, and there he partook of food with divine fruits. Nariṣyanta had a son named Shuci, of great strength; Ambarisha was the son of Nabhaaga, and Dhrishta had three sons: Dhritaketu, Citranatha, and Ranadhṛṣṭa, who was mighty. Anarta was the son of Sharyati, and Sukanya was his daughter. Anarta had a son named Rocamana, who was powerful; the land was called Anarta, and the city was Kushasthali. Thus, the lineage of Manu flourished, with divine guidance and wondrous events shaping the destinies of kings and regions, their names echoing through the ages.