दस्रौ श्रुतित्वात्संजातौ नासत्यौ नासिकाग्रतः। ज्ञात्वा चिराच्च तं देवं संतोषमगमत्परं
Because they were born from the nostrils, they are called the twin gods, the Nāsaṭyās, at the tip of the nose; after a long time, realizing this, the goddess attained supreme satisfaction.
विमानेनागमत्स्वर्गे पत्न्या सह मुदान्वितः। सावर्ण्योपि मनुर्मेरावद्यापि तपते तपः
With joy, he ascended to heaven in a celestial chariot with his wife; even now, Sāvarṇi Manu performs austerities on Mount Meru.
शनिस्तपोबलाच्चापि ग्रहाणां समतां गतः। यमुना तपती चैव पुनर्नद्यौ बभूवतुः
By the power of his austerity, Śani became equal among the planets; Yamunā and Tapatī both became rivers again.
विष्ठिर्घोरात्मिका तद्वत्कालत्वेन व्यवस्थिता। मनोर्वैवस्वतस्यापि दश पुत्रा महाबलाः
Viṣṭhi, of terrible nature, likewise became established as Time; and Manu Vaivasvata had ten mighty sons.
इलस्तु प्रथमस्तेषां पुत्रेष्ट्या समकल्पि यः। इक्ष्वाकुः कुशनाभश्च अरिष्टो धृष्ट एव च
Of them, Ila was the first, who was established through a son-offering; Ikṣvāku, Kuśanābha, Ariṣṭa, and Dhṛṣṭa as well.
नरिष्यंतः करूषश्च शर्यातिश्च महाबलः। पृषध्रश्चाथ नाभागः सर्वे ते दिव्यमानुषाः
Nariṣyanta, Karūṣa, and mighty Śaryāti, Pṛṣadhra, and Nābhāga—these all were divine and human.
अभिषिच्य मनुः पूर्वमिलं पुत्रं स धार्मिकम्। जगाम तपसे भूयः पुष्करं स तपोवनं
Manu, having anointed his righteous son Ila, departed once more for ascetic practice at Puṣkara, that forest of austerity.
अथाजगाम सिध्यर्थं तस्य ब्रह्मा वरप्रदः। वरं वरय भद्रं ते मानवेय यथेप्सितं
Then, for the fulfillment of his purpose, Brahmā, the bestower of boons, appeared and said: 'Choose a boon, O descendant of Manu, whatever you desire; may it be auspicious for you.'
उवाच स तदा देवं पद्माक्षं पद्मजं विभुं। वंशे मे धर्मसंयुक्ताः पृथिव्यां सर्वपार्थिवाः
At that time, he spoke to the divine lotus-eyed, lotus-born Lord: 'May all kings upon the earth in my lineage be joined with righteousness.'
भवेयुरीश्वराः स्वामिन्प्रसादात्तव कंजज। तथेत्युक्त्वा तु देवेशस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत
'May they be sovereigns, O master, by your grace, O lotus-born.' Having said 'so be it,' the Lord of gods vanished from there.
ततोयोध्यां समागत्य समतिष्ठद्यथा पुरा। अथैकदा रथारूढ इलो निज सुतो मनोः
Then, returning to Ayodhyā, he governed as before. Once, Ila, Manu's own son, mounted his chariot.
निर्जगामार्थसिध्यर्थमिनप्रायां महीमिमां। भ्रमन्द्वीपानि सर्वाणि क्ष्माभृतः संप्रसाधयन्
He set out to accomplish his purpose, traversing this earth, wandering through all the islands, subduing the lords of the land.
जगामोपवनं शंभोरथाकृष्टः प्रतापवान्। कल्पद्रुमलताकीर्णं नाम्ना शरवणं महत्
He went to Śiva's sacred grove, drawn there, powerful in might, to the great Śaravaṇa, renowned for its kalpadruma creepers.
रमते यत्र देवेशः सोमः सोमार्द्धशेखरः। उमया समयस्तत्र पुरा शरवणे कृतः
There, the Lord of gods, Soma, adorned with the crescent moon, delights; in ancient times, an agreement was made there with Umā in Śaravaṇa.
पुंनामसंज्ञं यत्किंचिदागमिष्यति नो वनं। स्त्रीत्वमेष्यति तत्सर्वं दशयोजनमंडले
Whatever bearing a masculine name enters this forest shall become feminine, all within a circle of ten yojanas.
अज्ञातसमयो राजा इलः शरवणं गतः। स्त्रीत्वं जगाम सहसा बडवाश्वोऽभवत्क्षणात्
Unaware of the agreement, King Ila entered Śaravaṇa and suddenly became a woman, transformed in an instant like a mare.
पुरुषत्वे कृतं सर्वं स्त्रीकाये विस्मृतं ततः। इलेति साभवन्नारी पीनोन्नतघनस्तनी
All that was accomplished in his male form was forgotten in the female body; thus she became known as Ilā, a woman with full, high, dense breasts.
उन्नतश्रोणिजघना पद्मपत्रायतेक्षणा। पूर्णेन्दुवदना तन्वी विलासिन्यसितेक्षणा
With prominent hips and thighs, eyes wide as lotus petals, a slender form, a face like the full moon, playful, with dark eyes.
पीनोन्नतायतभुजा नीलकुंचितमूर्द्धजा। तनुलोमा सुवदना मृदुगद्गदभाषिणी
With full, long arms, hair curled and dark, fine body hair, beautiful face, speaking softly and gently.
श्यामागौरेण वर्णेन तनुताम्रनखांकुरा। कार्मुकभ्रूयुगोपेता हंसावरणगामिनी
With a complexion both dark and fair, slender copper-colored nails, adorned with arched brows like a bow, walking with the grace of a swan.
भ्रममाणा वने तस्मिन्चिंतयामास भामिनी। को मे पिता वा भ्राता वा को मे त्राता भवेदिह
Wandering in that forest, the radiant woman pondered: 'Who is my father or brother? Who here will be my protector?'
कस्य भर्त्तुरहं दत्ता कियद्वर्षास्मि भूतले। चिंतयंती च ददृशे सोमपुत्रेण साङ्गना
'To whom am I given as wife? How many years have I spent on earth?' While she was thinking, she was seen by Soma's son, accompanied by women.
इलारूप समाक्षिप्त मनसा वरवर्णिनी। बुधस्तदाप्तये यत्नमकरोत्कामपीडितः
Her mind captivated by Ilā's form, the woman of splendid complexion, Budha, afflicted by desire, made efforts to obtain her.
विशिष्टाकारवान्मुंडी स कमंडलुपुस्तकः। वेणुदंडकृतावेशः पवित्रक खनित्रकः
Distinguished in appearance, shaven-headed, carrying a water-pot and book, dressed with a bamboo staff, sacred thread, and spade.
द्विजरूपः शिखी ब्रह्म निगदन्कर्णकुंडली। वटुभिश्चार्थिभिर्युक्तः समित्पुष्पकुशोदकैः
In the form of a twice-born, with a topknot, sacred thread, and earrings, surrounded by young students seeking alms, carrying sticks, flowers, kusa grass, and water—
कालेन्विष्यां ततस्तस्मिन्नाजुहाव स तामिलाम्। बहिर्वनस्यांतरितः किल पादपमंडपे
Then, at the proper time, he summoned Ilā there, in a pavilion beneath the trees, secluded within the forest.
ससंभ्रममकस्माच्च सोपालंभमिवाभवत्। त्यक्त्वाग्निहोत्रशुश्रूषां क्व गता मंदिरान्मम
Suddenly, with agitation and a hint of reproach, he said: 'Having abandoned the service of the sacred fire, where have you gone from my dwelling?'
इयं विहारवेला ते अतिक्रामति सांप्रतम्। एह्येहि पृथुसुश्रोणि संभ्रांता केन हेतुना
'Now your time for recreation is passing, O broad-hipped one; come, come! Why are you so anxious, and for what reason?'
इयं सायंतनी वेला विहारस्येह वर्त्तते। कृत्वोपलेपनं पुष्पैरलंकुरु गृहं मम१०० 1.8.
'This is the evening hour for recreation here; after applying ointment, adorn my house with flowers.'
साब्रवीद्विस्मृताहं च सर्वमेव तपोधन। आत्मानं त्वां च भर्त्तारं कुलं च वद मेनघ
She said: 'O possessor of austerity, I have forgotten everything—myself, you as my husband, and my family. Tell me, blameless one.'