We are studying Uttara Kanda or the last book of Ramayana. One distinct feature of this book is there is no continuous story running through from first to last chapter like the previous six books. Rather this book is collection of many historic tales narrated to set the context better and understand the characters of the epic. If we remember in the initial chapters we had read about origins of Rakshasas, birth of Ravana, his exploits till he comes across Sita, Hanuman’s childhood and many other tales interspersed across the book. Most recently we studied tales on Rama correcting cosmic imbalance due to death of Brahmin’s son and tales around Ashvamedha sacrifice to sanctify rule. Each episode in the last few chapters leads to historic tales to explain the issue at hand better. In a way, each chapter in Uttara Kanda digs layers of grandeur to reveal the cost of heroism at hand, the complete weight of epic journey and adds context in the greater scheme of things by giving historic perspective. As mentioned, we studied the continuity of tale in first six books and a mirror to the soul of the epic, a brief on rest of the journey of Rama in the last book. As seen, the book is dotted with many brief stories of the past narrated in various exchanges and assemblies. It is hoped we learnt a lot of wisdom from each of these stories around Rama’s rule and other contexts. We are looking at the story of Ila tied to Ashvamedha sacrifice in the last post.
Rama told Lakshmana and Bharata how King Ila, transformed into a woman by Shiva and Parvati, spent her days wandering joyfully through forests with her attendants—once male courtiers, now also women. Celebrated for her unmatched beauty, Ila lived simply, roaming valleys and thickets on foot. Nearby was a tranquil lake where Budha, son of the Moon and a sage devoted to meditation, resided. When Ila and her companions disturbed the waters, Budha beheld her and was instantly captivated, marveling at her radiance which surpassed even celestial women. When Ila and her attendants visited his hermitage, they introduced her as an unmarried mistress roaming the wilds. Through spiritual insight, Budha realized the truth of Ila’s divine transformation. He decreed that her attendants would remain in that mountain region as Kimpurushis, living on fruits and roots alongside Kimpurushas. Thus, Ila’s companions too shared a mystical destiny, entwined with her unusual dual existence. We can look at the continuity of the tale in following chapters.
In chapter 89, the birth of Pururavas is detailed.
Lakshmana and Bharata, deeply moved by the account of Ila’s fate, marveled at the origins of the Kimpurushis and expressed their wonder to Rama. Then, the virtuous Rama resumed narrating the remarkable story of Ila, the son of Prajapati, and his strange destiny.
When Ila’s attendants, transformed into Kinnaris, had gone away, Budha—the radiant son of Soma—approached Ila in the solitude of the forest. Smiling at her incomparable beauty, Budha declared affectionately, “I am the beloved son of the Moon, O gracious lady. Look upon me with favor.” Ila, now in her womanly form, answered sweetly, “O noble son of Soma, I wander as I please. I am at your service. Do whatever pleases you.” Hearing these tender words, Budha’s heart overflowed with joy, and he united with Ila in love.
Enthralled, Budha spent the entire month of Madhu—February to March—in blissful dalliance with Ila, the days passing like fleeting moments. When the month ended, Ila awoke from her slumber and, regaining the awareness of his masculine nature, found Budha immersed in deep penance in the waters of the lake, his arms upraised, withdrawn into meditation. The king, bewildered, asked, “O Blessed One, I came here to this remote mountain with my attendants. I do not see them anywhere. Where have they gone?”
Budha, wishing to console him and preserve the secret of his transformation, gently reassured Ila. “A great storm overtook your attendants while you rested in my hermitage. In fear of the rain and wind, they took shelter and were swept away. Be at peace, noble king. Do not grieve. Remain here calmly, sustaining yourself on fruits and roots.”
Yet Ila, as king, felt the pain of duty unfulfilled. His heart troubled, he replied with determination, “I cannot abandon my kingdom, even if bereft of my attendants. I must not delay, O Illustrious Ascetic. My elder son, Shashabindu, steadfast in duty and renowned, can succeed me, but I cannot forsake my consorts and loyal servants. Do not reproach me for leaving. A king must uphold his responsibilities.”
Hearing these words of noble resolve, Budha, though compassionate, offered astonishing counsel. He urged Ila to stay, saying, “Do not grieve, O mighty son of Kardama. Remain here, and at the end of the year I shall grant you a boon.” Comforted and reassured by this promise, Ila agreed to remain in Budha’s hermitage.
Thus the strange cycle of dual existence continued. Each alternate month Ila became a woman, delighting in love and union with Budha, and the following month returned to manhood, engaging in the duties of a king. This pattern of dual life endured peacefully, a union of duty and desire shaped by divine will.
In the ninth month, when Ila was again in his female form, she conceived and gave birth to a radiant son. The child, born of the mingling of Ila’s earthly royal lineage and Budha’s celestial heritage, was named Pururavas. Mighty in valor and noble in bearing, Pururavas resembled his divine father. After the birth, Ila entrusted the newborn into the hands of Budha, who received his son with joy, recognizing in him the continuation of both divine and royal destiny.
Thus, from Ila’s strange fate arose Pururavas, destined to play a great role in the lineage of kings and celestial beings.
In chapter 90, Ila regains her natural state through the performance of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
After recounting the wondrous birth of Pururavas, Rama’s brothers, Lakshmana and Bharata, again asked eagerly, “After Ila spent a year with Budha, the son of the Moon, what happened then? Tell us, O Lord of the Earth!”
Rama continued the tale of Ila, son of Prajapati. When the year was completed and Ila once again assumed his male form, Budha, full of wisdom and concern for the king, called together a great assembly of sages. Among those present were the noble Samvarta, Cyavana the son of Bhrigu, the ascetic Arishtanemi, Pramodana, Modakara, and the fiery hermit Durvasa.
When they had all gathered, Budha, eloquent and discerning, explained to them the plight of King Ila. He urged them to consider how Ila’s happiness might be restored, for though blessed in many ways, the king’s strange condition of alternating between male and female had left him restless and without peace.
As the sages discussed, Kardama—the father of Ila—arrived in the forest. He was accompanied by other great rishis: Paulastya, Kratu, Vashat-kara, and Omkara, beings of immense brilliance. Together the holy men conferred, desiring to bring relief to the suffering king. Each offered their opinion, but it was Kardama who, with great wisdom, gave the most decisive counsel.
He said: “O revered ones, there is only one remedy for my son’s condition. None can restore him except the mighty God whose emblem is the bull—Lord Rudra, Mahadeva himself. And of all sacrifices, none is dearer to Rudra than the Ashvamedha, the great horse-sacrifice. Therefore, let us perform this sacred rite in his honor, for it alone can win the God’s favor.”
All the assembled sages approved Kardama’s suggestion, for they knew well the supreme power of Rudra and the merit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice.
Not long after, a royal sage named Marutta—disciple of Samvarta and conqueror of hostile cities—undertook the performance of this great horse-sacrifice near Budha’s hermitage. The ritual was carried out with full devotion and precision, and as a result, Lord Rudra, consort of Uma, was deeply gratified. Filled with joy at the offering, the mighty God appeared before the sages and addressed them in Ila’s presence:
“I am pleased with your devotion in performing the Ashvamedha. O illustrious Brahmins, tell me—what can I do for this King of the Bahlis?”
Hearing these gracious words, the sages focused their minds and, through their deep meditation, directed Lord Rudra’s favor toward King Ila. They prayed that Ila might regain his full manhood permanently, ending his strange fate of alternating forms.
Lord Mahadeva, gratified by their prayers and the sacrifice, granted the boon. He restored Ila completely to his male form, freeing him from the alternating cycle of man and woman. Having bestowed this supreme favor, Rudra then disappeared from sight.
With the completion of the horse-sacrifice, the assembled sages, their task fulfilled, returned to their hermitages. Ila, relieved and restored, no longer returned to his former capital of Bahli. Instead, he renounced it and founded a new city in the central region. This city, surpassing all others in splendor, was named Pratishthana, and it became the permanent seat of King Ila.
Meanwhile, Ila’s elder son, Shashabindu—the noble and victorious conqueror of cities—continued to rule Bahli with righteousness. Ila, the valiant son of Prajapati, ruled Pratishthana until his time on earth came to an end. Then, leaving behind his worldly life, he ascended to the abode of Brahma.
After him, his son Pururavas, born of Budha and Ila, succeeded to the throne of Pratishthana. Pururavas would become a mighty king, carrying forward a legacy born of both human and celestial lineage.
Rama concluded by reminding his brothers of the immense power of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. “Such is the merit of this great rite, O bull among men. It was by no other means than this that Ila—who had once been a woman—was restored fully to manhood. Truly, the Ashvamedha holds a power beyond compare.”
This concludes chapters 89 and 90 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen the story of Ila – his meeting with Budha, birth of their son Pururavas and Ila regaining her male form after performing Ashvamedha sacrifice. The tale is narrated by Rama to tell about the significance and power of Ashvamedha sacrifice. We had already seen the tale on Indra getting liberated by this powerful sacrifice and now another tale, this time on Ila, to establish the same. After discussing this, Rama will commence to perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice which can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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