Friday, February 26, 2016

THE STORY OF ILA----- MAN AND WOMAN!



                                            


Pleased with the narration of the story of Vrutrasura and how Indra was afflicted with the sin of Brahmahatya and release from it, Sri Rama told Lakshmana another interesting and amazing story! ILA the son of Kardama Prajapati ruled the country of Bahlikas. He was righteous and considered the subjects as his own children. Even the Devas, Nagas, Gandharvas and rakshasas were afraid of him. He was a great warrior also. On a day in the spring season or Vasantha kala he went out with his train for hunting.  He killed a number of wild animals but was not satisfied.  Finally he came to the place where Lord Subrahmanya was born! As fate would have it, in that place, Lord Siva, in the guise of woman ,was relaxing with Devi Parvathi! Every object in the region, animate and inanimate had taken female form! To his utter shock and surprise ILA found himself and his followers transformed into females!!
         It was incredible for ILA to see himself as a woman! He knew that this change was the result of Lord Siva’s presence there! He fell at the feet of the Lord and requested for the restoration of his original form but in vain! Lord Siva was ready to grant any boon but not what ILA requested.  There upon ILA turned to the kind and compassionate Devi Parvati and cringed before her to grant him his original form! Devi said that she can only fulfill a part of his wish!  It was Lord Siva who could grant his request in full!  With no other option left ILA told Devi that he would remain a male for a month and a female for the next month!! Devi Parvathi granted his request and said that he would forget his manhood while he is a female! He would not remember he is a female when he is a man!!
          Thus King ILA was transformed into a charming and bewitchingly beautiful damsel!  She moved with her friends and came to a crystal clear and sparkling lake and an ashram by its side.  Spotting  a young and handsome person performing rigorous penance. she entered the lake with her friends and disturbed the still waters of the lake to distract the attention of the person. He was none other than  Budha the son of God Chandra! He fell in love with the divine beauty of ILA and wanted to marry her! He was told that ILA was single and visiting places with her followers. Budha immediately knew all the details of ILA’s life through his special “ avarthani” vidya! Ha bade the followers of ILA to live in the area as  ‘Kimpurushas’ he told them that they will have ‘ Kimpurushas as their husbands!
            ILA stayed with Budha for a year as a pretty woman for a month and a king for the next month! King ILA wanted to go back to his kingdom but Budha did not allow him. As a result of their live in relationship Ila gave birth to a beautiful boy named Pururuva. Budha invited renowned sages and saints like Chyavana, Samvartha, and Durvasa and told them the pitiable story of ILA. Meanwhile ILA’s father Kardama Prajapati joined them and pleaded for the restoration of ILA’s original form! All the sages decided to perform “ Aswamedha Yaga” for the purpose! They said that ILA can become his real self by worshipping Lord Siva through the Yaga. It was performed according to Vedic rituals by the sage Maruth at the ashram of Budha!
            Much delighted at the performance of the Yaga with faith and devotion, Lord Siva presented himself before them and asked what they desired. All of them unanimously requested the Lord to restore Ila’s original form! The lord granted the boon and vanished! ILA got back his robust youth & original form! He left for his country Bahlika and crowned his son Sasibindu as the King of the country! He stayed there for a few years and built ‘ prathishtanapuram’ a fine city! He made his son Pururuva the king of the place and reached heaven! Sri Rama thus explained to Lakshmana and Bharatha the efficacy of the great “ Aswamedha Yaga.”
          
            

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