After returning to Ayodhyā, King Ila, the son of Manu, resumed his rule as before. One day, Ila mounted his chariot, determined to fulfill a purpose. He traveled across the earth, journeying through all the islands and subduing the lords of the land. His wanderings brought him to Śiva’s sacred grove, the great Śaravaṇa, famed for its magical kalpadruma creepers. In this holy forest, Soma, the Lord of the gods adorned with the crescent moon, found delight. Long ago, an agreement had been made here between Soma and Umā: any being bearing a masculine name who entered this forest would be transformed into a woman, within a circle of ten yojanas. Unaware of this ancient pact, King Ila entered Śaravaṇa. Instantly, he was changed—his form became that of a woman, as swiftly as a horse becomes a mare. All memories and accomplishments from his life as a man faded, and in his new female body, she became known as Ilā. Ilā was a woman of striking beauty, with full, high, dense breasts, prominent hips and thighs, wide lotus-like eyes, a slender figure, and a face radiant like the full moon. Her dark, playful eyes, long graceful arms, curled dark hair, and gentle speech made her enchanting. Her complexion was both dark and fair, her nails slender and copper-hued, her brows arched like bows, and she walked with the elegance of a swan. As Ilā wandered the forest, radiant and thoughtful, she pondered her identity: “Who is my father or brother? Who will protect me here? To whom am I given as wife? How many years have I spent on earth?” While she was lost in these thoughts, she was seen by Budha, the son of Soma, who was accompanied by women. Budha’s heart was captivated by Ilā’s beauty and splendid complexion. Overcome by desire, he sought to win her. Budha appeared distinguished, shaven-headed, carrying a water-pot and book, dressed with a bamboo staff, sacred thread, and spade. In the form of a twice-born, with a topknot and earrings, surrounded by young students seeking alms and carrying sticks, flowers, kusa grass, and water, Budha approached Ilā. At the proper time, Budha summoned Ilā to a pavilion beneath the trees, secluded within the forest. With agitation and a hint of reproach, he addressed her: “Having abandoned the service of the sacred fire, where have you gone from my dwelling? Now your time for recreation is passing, O broad-hipped one; come, come! Why are you so anxious, and for what reason? This is the evening hour for recreation; after applying ointment, adorn my house with flowers.” Ilā replied softly, “O possessor of austerity, I have forgotten everything—myself, you as my husband, and my family. Tell me, blameless one.” Budha then spoke gently to her, “You are Ilā, O beautiful one; and I am Budha, known as a lover and learned in many ways. Born in a noble family, my father is the chief of Brahmins.” By these words, Ilā entered Budha’s house. The house was wondrous, filled with jeweled pillars and created by divine magic. Ilā, dwelling there, felt fulfilled, marveling, “Ah, what noble conduct! Ah, what great wealth and lineage! For me and for my husband as well—ah, what supreme beauty!” In that house, Ilā enjoyed herself with Budha for a long time, in a place filled with every pleasure, just like Indra’s palace. Meanwhile, Ila’s brothers, the sons of Manu led by Ikṣvāku, searched for the king. They came to the vicinity of Śaravaṇa and saw before them a splendid mare, radiant with jeweled ornaments. Amazed, they recognized her: “This is Candraprabha, the horse of that great-souled one. How did this excellent horse come to take the form of a mare?” They questioned their priest, the son of Mitra and Varuna. “What is this strange thing?” they asked Vasiṣṭha, the best among those who know yoga. Vasiṣṭha, seeing all with the eye of meditation, explained: “Long ago, in Śaravaṇa, a condition was set by Shiva’s beloved: any man who enters here will attain womanhood. Even this horse became a female together with the king. Ilā can regain manhood, just as he was, like Kubera.” Following Vasiṣṭha’s guidance, they resolved to make efforts and worship Pinākin (Śiva). The sons of Manu went to Maheśvara, the great god, and praised Pārvatī and Parameśvara with hymns. The divine couple responded, “Enough, this is the appointed time—what now? Whatever fruit would come to Ikṣvāku from the horse sacrifice, that will be for both of us; by giving it, the hero will become a Kiṃpuruṣa without doubt.” Agreeing, the sons of Vaivasvata departed. After performing the horse sacrifice, Ilā became a Kiṃpuruṣa, alternating between manhood and womanhood: for one month, Ila was a man; for the next, a woman. While staying in Budha’s house, Ilā became pregnant and gave birth to a single son endowed with many virtues. Budha, having produced this son, Pūru, returned to heaven. From Ilā’s name, that land became known as Ilāvṛta. The king born of the lunar and solar dynasties, Ilā, increased the lineage. Thus, Purūravas, son of Pūru, became the increaser of the lineage, and so too was the king of the Ikṣvāku and solar dynasty.