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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