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.'
बुधः प्रोवाच तां तन्वीमिला त्वं वरवर्णिनी। अहं च कामुको नाम बहुविद्यो बुधः स्मृतः
Budha spoke to her, slender and radiant: 'You are Ilā, O beautiful one; and I am called Budha, known as a lover and learned in many ways.'
तेजस्विनः कुले जातः पिता मे ब्राह्मणाधिपः। इति सा तस्यवचनात्प्रविष्टा बुधमंदिरम्
'Born in a noble family, my father is the chief of Brahmins.' Thus, by his words, she entered Budha's house.
रत्नस्तंभसमाकीर्णं दिव्यमायाविनिर्मितम्। इला कृतार्थमात्मानं मेने तद्भवने स्थिता
Filled with jeweled pillars, wondrous and created by divine magic, Ilā, dwelling in that house, considered herself fulfilled.
अहो वृत्तमहोरूपमहो धनमहोकुलम्। मम चास्य च भर्त्तुर्वा अहो लावण्यमुत्तमम्
'Ah, what noble conduct! Ah, what great wealth and lineage! For me and for my husband as well—ah, what supreme beauty!'
रेमे च सा तेन सममतिकालमिला वने। सर्वभोगमये गेहे यथेंद्रभवने तथा
There, Ilā enjoyed herself with him for a long time in the forest, in a house filled with every pleasure, just like in Indra's palace.
अथान्विष्यंतो राजानं भ्रातरस्तस्य मानवाः। इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा जग्मुस्तदा शरवणांतिकम्
Then, searching for the king, his brothers, the sons of Manu, led by Ikshvaku, went to the vicinity of the Saravana.
ततस्ते ददृशुः सर्वे वडवामग्रतः स्थिताम्। रत्नपर्यंतकिरणदीप्यमानामनुत्तमाम्
There they all saw, standing before them, a splendid mare, shining with rays from jeweled ornaments, unsurpassed.
संप्राप्य प्रत्यभिज्ञानात्सर्वे विस्मयमागताः। अयं चंद्रप्रभो नाम वाजी तस्य महात्मनः
Recognizing her, they were all amazed: 'This is Candraprabha, the horse of that great-souled one.'
अगमद्वडवारूपमुत्तमं केन हेतुना। ततस्तु मैत्रावरुणिं पप्रच्छुः स्वपुरोहितम्
'How did this excellent horse come to take the form of a mare?' Then they questioned their own priest, the son of Mitra and Varuna.
किमेतदित्यभूच्चित्रं वद योगविदां वर। वसिष्ठोप्यब्रवीत्सर्वं दृष्ट्वा तं ध्यानचक्षुषा
'What is this strange thing?' they asked the best among those who know yoga. Vasiṣṭha, seeing all with the eye of meditation, explained everything.