उन्नतश्रोणिजघना पद्मपत्त्रायतेक्षणा पूर्णेन्दुवदना तन्वी विलासोल्लासितेक्षणा
With raised hips and thighs, eyes extended like lotus petals, a slender woman with a face like the full moon, her gaze lively and expressive.
मूलोन्नतायतभुजा नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजा तनुलोमा सुदशना मृदुगम्भीरभाषिणी
Her arms are long and elevated from the shoulders, her hair dark and curled, her body fine-haired, her teeth beautiful, her speech gentle yet deep.
श्यामगौरेण वर्णेन हंसवारणगामिनी कार्मुकभ्रूयुगोपेता तनुताम्रनखाङ्कुरा
With a complexion of dusky and fair hues, moving with the grace of a swan or elephant, adorned with arched brows like a bow, her slender fingers tipped with coppery nails.
भ्रमन्ती च वने तस्मिंश् चिन्तयामास भामिनी को मे पिताथवा भ्राता का मे माता भवेदिह
As she wandered in that forest, the radiant woman pondered: Who is my father or brother? Who here is my mother?
कस्य भर्तुरहं दत्ता कियद्वत्स्यामि भूतले चिन्तयन्तीति ददृशे सोमपुत्रेण साङ्गना
To whom am I given as wife? How long will I remain on earth? While she was reflecting thus, Soma's son saw her with her companions.
इला रूपसमाक्षिप्तमनसा वरवर्णिनी बुधस्तदाप्तये यत्नम् अकरोत्कामपीडितः
Ilā, her mind captivated by beauty, radiant in form, was desired by Budha, who made efforts to win her, afflicted by longing.
विशिष्टाकारवान्दण्डी सकमण्डलुपुस्तकः वेणुदण्डकृतानेकपवित्रकगणत्रिकः
Distinguished in appearance, bearing a staff, with water-pot and book, adorned with many sacred threads made from bamboo rods.
द्विजरूपः शिखी ब्रह्मा निगदन्कर्णकुण्डलः बटुभिश्चान्वितो युक्तैः समित्पुष्पकुशोदकैः
In the form of a twice-born, with a topknot, Brahmā, speaking, wearing earrings, accompanied by proper students carrying fuel, flowers, and sacred grass with water.
किलान्विषन् वने तस्मिन् नाजुहाव स तामिलाम् बहिर् वनस्यान्तरितः किल पादपमण्डले
Searching in that forest, he did not call out to Ilā, remaining outside the grove, concealed among the trees.
ससंभ्रममकस्मात्तां सोपालम्भमिवावदत् त्यक्त्वाग्निहोत्रशुश्रूषां क्व गता मन्दिरान्मम
Suddenly, with agitation, he spoke to her as if reproaching: Having abandoned the tending of the sacred fire, where have you gone from my dwelling?
इयं विहारवेला ते ह्य् अतिक्रामति साम्प्रतम् एह्येहि पृथुसुश्रोणि संभ्रान्ता केन हेतुना
This is your leisure time, which is now passing; come, come, woman of broad hips, why are you agitated, for what reason?
इयं सायन्तनी वेला विहारस्येह वर्तते कृत्वोपलेपनं पुष्पैर् अलंकुरु गृहं मम
This is the evening hour for recreation here; after applying ointment, decorate my house with flowers.
सा त्व् अब्रवीद् विरमृताहं सर्वमेतत्तपोधन आत्मानं त्वां च भर्तारं कुलं च वद मे ऽनघ
She replied: I do not know any of this, O ascetic. Tell me of myself, you as husband, and of my lineage, O sinless one.
बुधः प्रोवाच तां तन्वीम् इला त्वं वरवर्णिनी अहं च कामुको नाम बहुविद्यो बुधः स्मृतः
Budha spoke to the slender woman: Ilā, you are radiant in form; I am called Kāmuka, known as Budha, skilled in many arts.
तेजस्विनः कुले जातः पिता मे ब्राह्मणाधिपः इति सा तस्य वचनात् प्रविष्टा बुधमन्दिरम्
Born in a noble lineage, my father is chief among Brahmins. Hearing his words, she entered Budha's house.
रत्नस्तम्भसमायुक्तं दिव्यमायाविनिर्मितम् इला कृतार्थमात्मानं मेने तद्भवनस्थिता
Adorned with jewel pillars, wondrously crafted by divine illusion, Ilā, having achieved her purpose, considered herself fulfilled, dwelling in that mansion.
अहो वृत्तमहो रूपम् अहो धनमहो कुलम् मम चास्य च मे भर्तुर् अहो लावण्यम् उत्तमम्
Ah, what conduct, what beauty, what wealth, what lineage—mine and my husband's! Ah, what supreme charm!
रेमे च सा तेन समम् अतिकालमिला ततः सर्वभोगमये गेहे यथेन्द्रभवने तथा
Ilā enjoyed herself with him for a long time, in a house full of every pleasure, just as in Indra's palace.
अथान्विषन्तो राजानं भ्रातरस् तस्य मानवाः इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा जग्मुस् तदा शरवणान्तिकम्
Then, seeking the king, his brothers—descendants of Manu, led by Ikshvaku—went to the place called Sharavana.
ततस्ते ददृशुः सर्वे वडबाम् अग्रतः स्थिताम् रत्नपर्याणकिरणदीप्तकायाम् अनुत्तमाम्
There, all of them saw a mare standing at the front, her body shining with rays from a jeweled chariot, unmatched in beauty.
पर्याणप्रत्यभिज्ञानात् सर्वे विस्मयम् आगताः अयं चन्द्रप्रभो नाम वाजी तस्य महात्मनः
Recognizing the chariot, all were struck with wonder: 'This is the horse named Chandraprabha, belonging to that great soul.'
अगमद् वडबारूपम् उत्तमं केन हेतुना ततस् तु मैत्रावरुणिं पप्रच्छुस्ते पुरोधसम्
How did this excellent horse take the form of a mare, and for what reason? Then they questioned Maitrāvaruṇi, the priest.
किमित्येतदभूच्चित्रं वद योगविदां वर वसिष्ठश्चाब्रवीत् सर्वं दृष्ट्वा तद्ध्यानचक्षुषा
'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.
समयः शम्भुदयिताकृतः शरवणे पुरा यः पुमान्प्रविशेद् अत्र स नारीत्वमवाप्स्यति
Long ago, a vow was made by Shiva's beloved at Sharavana: any man who enters here will attain womanhood.
अयमश्वो ऽपि नारीत्वम् अगाद्राज्ञा सहैव तु पुनः पुरुषतामेति यथासौ धनदोपमः
This horse, too, became female along with the king, but will regain masculinity, just as he resembles the lord of wealth.
तथैव यत्नः कर्तव्यश् चाराध्यैव पिनाकिनम् ततस्ते मानवा जग्मुर् यत्र देवो महेश्वरः
In the same way, effort must be made by worshipping Pinākin (Shiva). Then the sons of Manu went to where the god Maheshvara dwells.
तुष्टुवुर् विविधैः स्तोत्रैः पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ ताव् ऊचतुर् अलङ्घ्यो ऽयं समयः किंतु साम्प्रतम्
They praised Parvati and the supreme lord with various hymns. The two replied, 'This vow cannot be broken, but now—'
इक्ष्वाकोरश्वमेधेन यत्फलं स्यात्तदावयोः दत्त्वा किम्पुरुषो वीरः स भविष्यत्यसंशयम्
'Whatever fruit comes from Ikshvaku's ashvamedha, that shall be given to both. Then the valiant kimpurusha will certainly become a man.'
तथेत्युक्तास्ततस्ते तु जग्मुर् वैवस्वतात्मजाः इक्ष्वाकोश्चाश्वमेधेन चेलः किम्पुरुषो ऽभवत्
Having agreed, the sons of Vaivasvata departed. Through Ikshvaku's ashvamedha, the kimpurusha became Cela.
मासमेकं पुमान्वीरः स्त्री च मासमभूत्पुनः बुधस्य भवने तिष्ठन् निलो गर्भधरो ऽभवत्
For one month, the hero was a man; for another month, a woman. Dwelling in Budha's house, Nila became pregnant.