As was previously told, Budha begot a son named Pururavas in Ilā. Pururavas grew to be a man of exceptional qualities—generous beyond compare, a great performer of sacrifices, radiant in his brilliance, steadfast in truth, intelligent, handsome, and deeply thoughtful. It was at this time, due to the curse of Mitra and Varuna, that the celestial nymph Urvashi resolved, “I must dwell among humans.” Thus, she came to see Pururavas. The moment she beheld him, Urvashi, abandoning all pride and longing for heavenly pleasures, became completely absorbed in him. She approached Pururavas, her heart wholly devoted. Pururavas, too, saw Urvashi—whose beauty, delicacy, grace, playful charm, and laughter surpassed all women of the world—and he was utterly captivated by her. Both became so absorbed in each other that they saw nothing else, forsaking all other aims and purposes. Emboldened by their mutual affection, the king spoke to her. “O beautiful-browed one, I desire you. Be gracious, for I bear affection for you.” Overwhelmed by love, Urvashi, her modesty subdued, replied, “So be it, if you uphold my conditions.” The king, eager, asked her, “Tell me your conditions.” Urvashi then set forth her terms: “Near my bed, my two lambs, who are like sons to me, must not be taken away. You must not be seen naked by me. My food must be only clarified butter.” The king readily agreed, “So be it.” Thus, Pururavas and Urvashi dwelled together for sixty years, delighting daily in ever-increasing joy. They wandered together in the splendid city of Alaka, through the forests of Chaitraratha and other groves, amidst pure lotus ponds and enchanting lakes such as Manasa. With each passing day, Urvashi’s affection for Pururavas deepened. Even while living among mortals, she felt no longing for the world of the immortals. In her absence, the heavens felt empty; the apsaras, siddhas, and gandharvas found no delight in the celestial realms without her presence. Then, one night, Urvashi, disregarding her agreement with Pururavas, conspired with Vishvavasu and the gandharvas. Together, they took one of her beloved lambs from beside her bed. As the lamb was being led away, Urvashi heard a sound and cried out, “My son, who is helpless, is being taken by someone; to whom shall I go for refuge?” Hearing her cry, the king hesitated, thinking, “If I go now, the queen will see me naked,” and so he did not move. The gandharvas then took another drum and departed. As the second lamb was also being carried away, Urvashi, hearing the noise again, cried out in deeper anguish, “I am helpless, without a husband, seeking shelter among the unmanly!” Her lamentations grew more desperate. This time, enraged and thinking it was darkness, the king seized his sword, shouting, “Wicked! Wicked! You are slain!” and rushed forth. In that moment, the gandharvas shone with dazzling brilliance, like lightning. By their radiance, Urvashi saw the king without his garments. Realizing the fateful moment had come, she instantly vanished from his sight. The gandharvas, abandoning both drums, returned to the world of the gods. The king, gathering the two lambs, returned to his bed, his heart filled with joy—only to find Urvashi gone. Having been seen by her without clothing, he wandered about in madness, searching for her. In the lotus-filled lake of Kurukshetra, he saw Urvashi together with four other apsaras. In his madness, he spoke many kinds of verses, pleading, “O wife, stay! Stay in your fierce mind! Stay in your deceitful speech! Stay!” The great king, his actions now lacking discernment, was bewildered. Urvashi spoke to him gently, “At the end of the year, you must come to me in the inner chamber; your son will be born. And I will spend one night with you.” Consoled by these words, the king joyfully returned to his city. Meanwhile, Urvashi spoke among the apsaras, “This is the distinguished man with whom, drawn by affection, I have lived for so long.” The apsaras replied with blessing, “May this form of virtue and fearlessness always remain with us as well, together with him, at all times.” When a year had passed, the king returned as promised. Urvashi gave him a son and blessed him with long life. She spent one night with the king, and by him, she conceived and bore five sons in time. Thus, the love and union of Pururavas and Urvashi became a tale cherished in both the mortal and immortal worlds.