Long ago, in the sacred grove of Saravana, a unique condition was established by Shiva’s beloved: any man who entered that place would be transformed into a woman. Even the king and his horse experienced this change, both becoming female upon entering. Yet, Ilā, the king, was later restored to manhood, just as Kubera had once been. To achieve this reversal, earnest effort was made, and Pinākin—Shiva—was worshipped. The men journeyed to the abode of the great god Maheśvara, where they praised both Pārvatī and Parameśvara with various hymns. The divine couple responded, “Enough, this is the appointed time—what now?” They declared that whatever fruit Ikṣvāku would gain from the horse sacrifice would be shared between them. By offering this, the hero would undoubtedly become a Kiṃpuruṣa—a being of dual nature. The sons of Vaivasvata agreed, and after performing the horse sacrifice, Ilā indeed became a Kiṃpuruṣa. For one month, Ilā lived as a man; for the next, again as a woman. While residing in Budha’s house, Ilā conceived and gave birth to a single son of many virtues. Budha, having fathered this son, Pūru, then returned to heaven. From Ilā’s name, the land became known as Ilāvṛta. Ilā, born of both lunar and solar dynasties, increased the lineage. Thus, Purūravas, son of Pūru, became the great increaser of the line; the king of the Ikṣvāku and solar dynasty was also celebrated. Ilā, in the state of Kiṃpuruṣa, was called Sudyumna. Sudyumna had three unconquered sons: Utkala, Gaya, and the mighty Haritāśva. Utkalā became the name of Utkala’s land, and Gayāpurī was Gaya’s city. Haritāśva’s region, together with the Kurus, lay to the south. After installing his son Purūravas in the city, Sudyumna retired to enjoy Ilāvṛta, the divine land, living on fruits. Ikṣvāku’s eldest heir obtained the region of Madhyadeśa. Nariṣyanta’s son was Śuka, of great strength. Dhṛṣṭa had three sons: Nābhāga, Ambarīṣa, and Dhṛṣṭaketu, steadfast in duty, as well as Raṇadhṛṣṭa, mighty in valor. Śaryāti’s son was Ānarta, and his daughter was Sukanyā. Ānarta’s son, Rocamāna, was full of splendor; the land was named Ānarta, and the city Kuśasthalī. Rocamāna’s son was Reva, whose son was Raivata. Among Raivata’s hundred sons, Kakudmī was the eldest. His daughter, Revatī, became renowned as the wife of Rāma. From Karūṣa descended many famous Kārūṣas. Pṛṣadhra, due to the killing of a cow, became a Śūdra by his teacher’s curse. The sons of Ikṣvāku were Vikukṣi, Nimi, and Daṇḍaka. Of the hundred sons, fifty were the foremost, and their sons were born to the north of Meru, excellent among kings. The other forty-eight were known as kings born to the south of Meru. From the eldest came Kakutstha, whose son was Suyodhana. Suyodhana’s son was Prithu, and Prithu’s son was Ardras. From Ardras came Yuvanashva, whose son was Shavasta, renowned for his strength. Shavasta founded the city of Shravasti in the land of Anga. From Shravasta came Brihadashva, and from him Kuvalashva. Kuvalashva became known as Dhundhumara, for he once slew the demon Dhundhu. Three sons were born to him: Dridashva, Ghrini, and the famed and mighty Kapilashva. Dridashva’s son was Pramoda, whose son was Haryashva. Haryashva’s son was Nikumbha, and from him came Samhatashva. Samhatashva had two sons: Akritashva and Ranashva. Yuvanashva was the son of Ranashva, and from him was born Mandhata. Mandhata’s sons were Purukutsa and Dharmasetu, the king. Among them was the renowned Muchukunda, mighty friend of Indra. Purukutsa’s son was Dussaha, lord of the Narmada. Dussaha’s son was Sambhuti, and from him came Tridhanvan. Tridhanvan’s son was Trayyaruna, whose son was Satyavrata. Satyavrata’s son was Satyaratha, and his son was Harishchandra. From Harishchandra came Rohita, and from Rohita, Vrka. Vrka’s son was Bahu, and Bahu’s son was Sagara, a supremely righteous king. Sagara had two wives, Prabha and Bhanumati, both of whom worshipped the sage Aurva, desiring sons. Aurva, pleased with their devotion, granted them supreme boons: one bore sixty thousand sons, the other a single son. Prabha accepted the progenitor of the line, while Bhanumati bore a son named Asamanjasa. Prabha, of the Yadava line, gave birth to sixty thousand sons, who, while digging the earth in search of the sacrificial horse, were burned by Vishnu. Asamanjasa’s son was the famed Amshuman, whose son was Dilipa, and from Dilipa came Bhagiratha. Bhagiratha, through his austerity, brought the Bhagirathi Ganga to earth. His son was Nabhaga, and from Nabhaga was born Ambarisha. Sindhudvipa came from Ambarisha, whose son was Ayutayu, and from him was born Rituparna. Thus, the divine lineage continued, weaving together the lunar and solar dynasties, each king and hero leaving his mark on the earth, their stories echoing through the ages.