Atri, the illustrious sage, undertook the proper expiation for his misdeeds, and once freed from the affliction known as the royal disease, Soma himself shone forth in all his radiant glory. Having recounted the wondrous birth of Soma, the narrator now turned to proclaim his lineage, inviting the attentive twice-born Brahmins to listen closely. For, it was said, whoever hears the story of Soma’s birth—so blessed, healthy, long-lived, virtuous, and purifying of sins—would find themselves freed from all evils. Suta then spoke: Budha was born as the son of Soma, and Budha’s own son was Pururavas—a king who was radiant, generous, a devoted sacrificer, and a giver of abundant gifts. Pururavas was learned in Brahman, courageous, and invincible in battle; he performed the sacred Agnihotra and granted land to those who performed sacrifices. Truthful in his speech, wise in action, charming, and restrained in his unions, Pururavas fathered a son who was unmatched in beauty among men. It was Urvashi, famed among the Gandharvas, who chose Pururavas as her companion. She, glorious and renowned, set aside her pride and selected the king—learned, self-controlled, righteous, and truthful. Together, Pururavas and Urvashi lived for many years—ten and eight, seven, six, seven, eight, ten, and eight—blessed with vigor and joy. Their days together were spent in the delightful Caitraratha forest, along the banks of the Mandakini river, in the wondrous groves of Alaka, Vishala, and Nandana, the finest of woods. They wandered the fragrant slopes of Gandhamadana, ascended the summit of Meru—the highest mountain—reaching even to the northern Kurus and the village of Kalapa. Amidst these pleasant forests, frequented by the gods themselves, Pururavas and Urvashi enjoyed supreme happiness. The sages, curious, asked Suta: “How did Urvashi, a goddess among Gandharvas, come to live with a mortal king, forsaking the company of the gods? Tell us, O wise one.” Suta replied: “It was due to a curse of Brahma that Urvashi was compelled to approach a mortal. The beautiful Urvashi joined herself to Aila (Pururavas), but only under certain conditions.” To free herself from the curse, Urvashi imposed strict terms: she must never be seen by fire, nor unite with the king unwillingly. Two sheep were to be kept near their bed, and only as much food as clarified butter was to be consumed. “If you, O king, keep this agreement faithfully for as long as you wish, I shall remain with you for that time,” she declared. Pururavas, steadfast, observed the agreement in every detail, and so the radiant Urvashi dwelled with him. For sixty-four years, Urvashi—bewildered by the curse yet devoted—lived as a human. The Gandharvas, seeing their heavenly ornament absent, grew concerned. “Consider, O blessed ones,” they said among themselves, “how Urvashi, the pride of heaven, might return to us.” Then Vishvavasu, the best among speakers, spoke: “A condition was made with her, and it is blameless. When that agreement is broken, she will leave the king. I will tell you how she will abandon him, and I will act for your purpose.” With this, the illustrious Vishvavasu departed for the king’s abode. One night, Vishvavasu appeared and took away one of the sheep. Urvashi, with a gentle smile, acted as if the sheep were her own child and cried out, “My son is being taken away!” Knowing the Gandharvas had come, the illustrious lady, lying on the bed, called to the king. Pururavas, after a moment’s thought, rose naked—knowing that if the queen saw him thus, the agreement would be broken. Soon after, the Gandharvas took the second sheep. When this happened, Urvashi cried, “Both my sons have been taken, O king, as if I am left without a protector!” Moved by her distress, the king again rose and ran out naked, following the tracks of the sheep. The Gandharvas conjured a splendid palace through their illusion. Suddenly, as the illusion was revealed, Urvashi saw the king naked; at that moment, the apsaras of changing form vanished. When the Gandharvas realized Urvashi had vanished, they left the sheep behind and disappeared. The king, seeing the two sheep abandoned, returned to his home, but not finding Urvashi, he was overcome with grief and lamented bitterly. He wandered the earth, searching everywhere for her. At last, the mighty king found her in Kurukshetra, at the Plaksha ford, where she played in a lotus-filled pond with five beautiful apsaras. Urvashi, fair-browed, saw the king not far off and said to her companions, “This is the supreme man to whom I once belonged.” She showed him to her companions, and the five apsaras with crested hair appeared. The king, delighted at the sight of Urvashi, spoke many tender words: “Come here, stay, remain in my mind, stay in my speech, O beautiful one.” They exchanged subtle words with each other, but Urvashi said to him, “O lord, I am pregnant by you. After a year, your son will be born—there is no doubt.” The king spent a single night with her, overjoyed. Afterward, he returned to his city, his heart filled with hope. When a year had passed, he came again to Urvashi. Having spent one more night with her, the great-minded king, tormented by longing, pleaded in distress, “Be with me always.