Chapter 38 - Sixteen thousand holy centres

1. The holy centre named Ilātīrtha is one that brings about spiritual achievement of men. It sanctifies men who commit (even) such (heinous) sins as brahmin slaughter etc. It bestows all cherished things.

2. Once a ruler of men named Ila born of the family of Vivasvān (Sun) went to the hunting forest along with a large army.

3. He wandered over the forest infested with beasts of prey, full of birds of various shapes and sizes and rendered beautiful by the branches of trees.

4. Wandering over the forest with his mind inclined to the sport of hunting the excellent king determined to stay there. Ila said to his ministers:

Ila said:

5. All of you go to the city looked after and protected by my son. May you all look after the welfare of the land, treasury, army, kingdom as well as the Prince.

6-7. Let Vasiṣṭha too go like my intelligent father accompanied by his wives. I shall stay in the forest maintaining sacrificial fires. I shall stay here with a few horses, elephants and men who can enjoy forest pleasures and who are skilled in the sport of hunting. Let all others go back to the city from here.

Brahmā said:

8-10. Saying “So be it” they went away. King Ila himself went to the mountain Himavat slowly. Staying on the Himavat full of jewels the king saw a cave wonderfully studded with different jewels. A certain Yakṣa leader known as Samanyu lived in that cave on that beautiful excellent mountain. His wife Samā was devoted to her husband and eagerly engaged in rendering service to him.

11-16. That highly intelligent Yakṣa roamed about here and there in his forest as he pleased, accompanied by his wife. He sported about dancing and singing. Though he had assumed the form of a deer the Yakṣa could know (whatever happened there). But Ila did not know that the cave was (used as residence by and) under the protection of the Yakṣa. That abode of the Yakṣa was large and wonderfully embellished with many jewels. There the king stayed surrounded by a large army. He stayed in the abode all alone. The Yakṣa who was accompanied by his wife and who had assumed the form of a deer was furious over this trespass. He thought thus: “I am not strong enough to defeat Ila. If I request him he is not likely to give my abode back to me. My abode has been taken away by him. How can I kill this arrogant fellow in battle?” After thinking thus he (wanted to) send his own heroic followers, the bow-bearing Yakṣas.

Yakṣa said:

17. Defeat king Ila in battle, Ila who is arrogant because he possesses elephants. It behoves you to do that which will make him leave and go elsewhere from my home.

Brahmā said:

18-21. At those words of the Yakṣa leader all those Yakṣas proud and undaunted in battle went to Ila and said: “Go out of this cave-home. Otherwise, you will be defeated in battle and have to run out of this”. At those words of the Yakṣas, the emperor fought with them in anger. After defeating the Yakṣas, he stayed there for ten nights. With his abode taken away and with his servants killed the Yakṣa leader assumed the form of a deer and stayed in the forest along with his wife. Worried over the situation he spoke to the Yakṣiṇī, his beloved wife in the form of a doe.

Yakṣa said:

22. O beloved, how will I conquer (this king) who is strong, invincible, proud on account of glory and heroism, blind due to arrogance and very much attached to the sport of hunting?

Yakṣiṇi said:

23. Tell me, O loved one, is there any means of subduing his arrogance? If my words (or deeds) can help, tell me. I shall do that.

Yakṣa said:

24-25. O lady of excellent waist, there is a means of subduing the arrogance of the king. O lady of great fortune, do that whereby the pride of this king is driven away. It will be splendid and pleasing to me.

O blessed lady, go to that place where this silly king is staying.

26-27. There you reveal yourself in front of Ila after assuming the form of a hind, O splendid lady. Draw king Ila to the forest known as Umāvana. O lady of good fortune, attract that king who is staying in my abode and who is very much attached to the sport of hunting. Let the evil-minded one attain the form of a woman.

28. O beloved, this king is evil-minded and is indulging in vices. He will fall into adversity through this. This is the means thereof that has been thought of by me.

29. The kingdoms of all kings come to an end through the increase of sins and indulgence in vices. Assuming the form of a charming hind lead him on to the forest Umāvana, O lady of good eyebrows.

30. If this king gets in there he will undoubtedly become a woman. O gentle lady, this should be done by you. It is not proper for me because I am a man. You are a woman and a Yakṣiṇī besides.

Yakṣiṇī said:

31. How is it that you should not go to the excellent forest Umāvana? What will be the harm if you go there? Tell me that briefly.

Yakṣa said:

32. Śiva roamed about as he pleased on the excellent mountain, Himavat accompanied by Umā and followed by Devas and his Gaṇas. Once Pārvatī said to Śaṅkara standing alone in an isolated place:

33-35. “This is the nature of women that they would love to have sexual dalliance in secret. Hence, O lord of Devas, give me a fixed place well guarded at your behest and known as Umāvana.

O lord, excepting you, Gaṇeśa, Kārtikeya and Nandin whoever enters this place should be turned into a woman.”

36. Order was accordingly given by the delighted lord with the Moon on his crest. What is it that a man does not do, on being lovingly requested by his beloved? Hence I should not go to the excellent Umāvana.

Brahmā said:

37. On hearing the words of her husband the Yakṣiṇī who could assume any form as she pleased and whose eyes were large, became a hind and appeared in front of Ila.

38-40. The Yakṣa remained there alone. The king espied the hind. On seeing the hind the king who was particularly attached to the sport of hunting started by himself and followed the hind seated on his horse. She (the Yakṣiṇī) attracted the king who was overwhelmed by (the spirit of) hunting and gradually went to that forest called Umāvana. In some places (on certain occasions) she became invisible and in some places she revealed herself.

41. Standing still, sometimes walking and running as though she was afraid, that hind of roving eyes dragged him on to the forest of Umāvana.

42-46. Following closely riding on his horse he reached that forest Umāvana. On realising that he had entered Umāvana, the Yakṣiṇī who could assume any form she desired abandoned the form of the hind and assumed a divine form. She stood near an Aśoka tree with one of her hands resting on its branch. The young maiden Samā who had assumed a divine form and who had applied (over her body) sweet smelling divine unguents (was delighted) because she had achieved her object. The tired king Ila was searching for the hind with rolling eyes. Fully remembering what her husband had said she smilingly looked at the king and said to him.

Samā said:

47. O delicate-limbed one, O young maiden, O Ilā, where are you going alone seated on a horse and dressed like a man. Whom will you follow?

Brahmā said:

48-52. On hearing (himself addressed by) the name ‘Ilā’ the king became furious and rebuked the hind. Still the Yakṣiṇī said, “O Ilā, what is it you are looking for?” On hearing (himself addressed by) the name ‘Ilā’ the king who was seated on the horse holding the bow and who had conquered the three worlds became angry and showed her the bow. Again she said to the noble-souled king: “O Ilā, see for yourself. Tell me thereafter whether I am speaking the truth or lying”. Thereupon the king surveyed himself and saw the pair of protruding breasts between his arms. He became bewildered wondering what had happened to himself.

Ilā said:

What has happened to me? Surely you must know it clearly. Tell me everything precisely. Tell me, O woman of holy rites, who you are.

The Yakṣiṇī said:

53, Samanyu, my husband, stays in an excellent cave of the Himālayas. He is the lord of Yakṣas. He is prosperous. I am his wife, a Yakṣiṇī.

54-56. It was his Yakṣas who had been killed by you out of delusion without a formal fight. It was in his splendidly cool cave that you had been seated. In order to make you come out from the same, I assumed the form of a hind and entered the forest Umāvana. You too entered it. Formerly, Maheśvara had declared: “The ignorant man who comes within this range will acquire womanhood”. That is why you have attained womanhood. It does not behove you to grieve over this. Even a mature person cannot know the mysterious future.

Brahmā said:

57. On hearing the words of the Yakṣiṇī (the king) seated on the horse fell down. After pacifying him the Yakṣiṇī said again:

Yakṣiṇī said:

58. You have once for all become a woman. It does not behove you to strive to regain manhood. Learn the arts befitting women. Learn all these things such as the graceful charms of a woman, the elegance and coquetry of a woman, nay, all the activities of a woman.

Brahmā said:

59-60. After attaining all those accomplishments Ilā said to Yakṣiṇī:

Ilā said:

Who will be my husband? What is my duty? How can manhood be attained again? Mention this to me who am particularly distressed. There is no better thing conducive to welfare than the suppression of grief of distressed people.

Yakṣiṇī said:

61. There is a son of the Moon named Budha (Mercury). O extremely fortunate lady, to the east of this forest is the hermitage of that youth of great handsome features.

62. It is through this path that the planet Budha goes to meet his father, Moon, and also to pay respects to him everyday.

63. When the quiescent Budha goes (along this way) reveal yourself to him. O fortunate lady, on seeing him you will fulfil all your cherished desires.

Brahmā said:

64. After consoling her the Yakṣiṇī of splendid eyebrows vanished. She also reported the matter to her husband, the Yakṣa, who became happy on hearing it.

65-67. The army of Ila that had been stationed there, went away. Ilā stayed in the forest Umāvana singing, dancing and pursuing activities of feminine interest. She pondered over the ways of Karman. Once while Ilā was dancing, the intelligent Budha saw her on his way to meet his father. On seeing Ilā, Budha halted on his way, approached her and said thus:

Budha said:

68-70. Be my wife and become comfortably placed in my abode as the most beloved of all women.

Brahmā said:

With great devotion Ilā approved of the suggestion of Budha and did accordingly. She remembered the earlier statement of the Yakṣiṇī and therefore, O sage, became satisfied.

After taking her to his excellent home Budha indulged in sexual dalliance with her with great pleasure. In every respect she pleased her husband. After the lapse of a great deal of time the delighted Budha spoke to his beloved:

Budha said:

71-75. What is it that you wish that I should give you, O gentle lady? What is that delightful thought that lurks in your mind?

Brahmā said:

The moment he made that statement IIā spoke to Budha, the son of the Moon, who was her delighted lover: “Give me a son”.

Budha said:

This semen of mine is infallible as well as one that is the outcome of great delight. Hence you will have a son who will be a Kṣatriya well known all over the world. He will be the founder of Lunar dynasty. He will be like the Sun in brilliance. He will be on a par with Bṛhaspati in intelligence. He will be equal to the Earth in forbearance. He will be like a lion in vigour and vitality in the battle-field. In anger he will be on a par with the Fire-god.

Brahmā said:

76. At the nativity of the noble son of Budha, there were cries of “Victory” everywhere in the abode of Devas.

77. When the son of Budha was born the great Devas came there. With great joy, O highly intelligent one, I too came there.

78-79. The moment he was born, the boy made a highly pitched loud sound. Hence the sages and Devas who had gathered there said, “Since his sound was loud (Purū—loud, great; Rava—Sound), he shall be Purūravas”. Delighted in their minds they named him so.

80. Budha taught his son all the splendid arts of a Kṣatriya. At that time Budha taught his son the science of archery along with its practical application.

81. Like the moon in the bright half of the lunar month he grew up very fast.

Once that highly intelligent boy noticed that his mother Ilā was overwhelmed by sorrow. He humbly bowed down to Ilā and said:

Aila said:

82. Budha, my father, is your beloved husband, O mother. I, your son, am skilful. Wherefore then do you have this mental anguish?

Ilā said:

83-84. It is true, dear son, that Budha is my husband and you, my son, are a mine of virtues. I have never experienced any worry on account of my husband or son. Still, O highly intelligent one, I am worried because I frequently recollect a former misery.

Then he said to his mother:

Aila said:

85-86. Tell me at once, my dear mother.

Brahmā said:

Ilā spoke to him thus: “It is a secret. How can I tell you? Still I shall tell you, my dear son, since the son is the ultimate resort of parents. A son is the exceedingly splendid ship for those who are about to sink in the ocean of misery.”

Brahmā said:

87-89. On hearing those words of his mother the humble son placed her feet on his head and said to her with choking words with his eyes filled with tears: “If a son does not remove the difficulty of his parents by means of remedies (at his disposal), then, alas, his birth and life are futile. Though alive, he is (no better than) dead. Holy rites such as resorting to pilgrim centres, distribution of charitable gifts, performance of sacrifices, penances and other things are meritorious only when they are performed by a person who has pleased his parents. Speak out, my dear mother, all those thoughts that lurk in your mind as they are.”

She spoke to her son with the lower lip hanging loosely down on account of her hot breaths. Excited like one about to be drowned in the ocean of misery she narrated everything in the manner it had occurred.

90-96. She narrated all these details: The family of the Ikṣvākus born of the Solar dynasty, her own birth therein (as a man), her name (as a man), his dear sons and wife, his priest Vasiṣṭha, his own region, departure to the forest, sending off his priest and ministers back to the city, of his indulgence in the sport of hunting, entry into the cave of the Himālayas, access to the abode of the leading Yakṣa, entry into the forest of Umāvana and the complete transformation into a woman, the statement of Yakṣiṇī that no man was permitted to enter the place as ordered by Maheśvara, the granting of boon, the contact with Budha, love and the birth of a son. These and other things she completely narrated. After hearing everything Purūravas spoke to his mother: “What shall I do? What shall I do to earn merit? If you are satisfied with this much that is enough, O mother. If there is anything else in your mind please tell that also to me.”

Ilā said:

97-98. I would wish for the excellent manhood. I should like to regain the excellent kingdom and the coronation of my sons, especially that of yours. I should like to do all these, viz. to give charitable gifts, to perform sacrifice and to be on the path of salvation. I wish to do everything by virtue of your favour my dear son.

The son said:

99. I am asking you the means whereby you will attain manhood. Tell me exactly whether it is through penance or through some other means.

Ilā said:

100. Dear Son, go and ask Budha your father. He knows everything precisely. He will advise you what is conducive to your welfare.

Brahma said:

101. At those words of his mother, Aila immediately went to his father. After bowing down to him he asked him what he and his mother should do.

Budha said:

102-103. I know Ila, O highly intelligent one. I know he was transformed into Ilā. I know how he entered the forest Umāvana and also the command of Śambhu. Hence the redemption from the curse shall be only through the favour of Śambhu and that of Umā. Only by propitiating them can the curse be removed and not otherwise.

Purūravas said:

104. How can I see that lord as well as mother Umā? Shall it be through any holy centre or through penance? Father, mention this at the outset.

Budha said:

105. Dear Son, go to Gautamī. The glorious Śiva who dispels curses and bestows boons stays there always accompanied by Umā.

Brahmā said:

106-110. On hearing the words of his father Purūravas became delighted. Wishing for the manhood of his mother, hurrying to perform penance, the intelligent (son of Budha) went to the Gautamīgaṅgā that sanctifies the three worlds, after bowing down to the Himalaya mountain, his mother, father and preceptor. Ilā and the son of Moon followed their son who went ahead. From the excellent mountain Himavat all of them came to Gautamī.

They took their holy bath there and performed penance for a short while. Thereafter, they recited the splendid euology of Bhava, the lord of Devas. Listen to the order of their euologies. Budha euologized first, then Ilā and then their son Purūravas eulogized goddess Gaurī and Śaṅkara.

Budha said:

111. Let those two deities be my refuge; those two deities who take delight in the sound of the girdle, who resemble the natural gold, who have good features and who are worshipped by Skanda and Gaṇeśvara. They are worthy of being sought refuge in.

Ilā said:

112-113. Let Śāṅkarī and Śaṅkara be my refuge. Meditating upon those two deities, the embodied beings who have been scorched by the forest fire of the three types of worldly distresses, attain the greatest beatitude immediately.

I am distressed. My mind has been afflicted. There is no one other than you to protect me from suffering, distress etc. O lord, your feet are extremely meritorious and worthy of being sought refuge in. Let them be by my refuge.

Purūravas said:

114-115. Gaurī and Hara are worthy of being sought refuge in by the entire universe. They are the immanent souls of the universe. This entire (visible universe) rises from, prospers in and finally merges with those two deities. Let them be my refuge.

In the course of a great festival Devas said, “O Īśa, touch and hold the feet of the daughter of the lord of mountains”. As soon as this was said they were lovingly held by Śiva. Let those two feet be my refuge. They are worthy of being sought refuge in.

The eminent goddess said:

116. What is it that you all wish to have? What shall I grant you all—tell me. You have performed that which is difficult even unto Devas. Welfare unto you all. Be satisfied, for you have done your duty.

Purūravas said:

117. King Ila had unwittingly entered your forest, O Ambikā (Mother). O goddess of Devas, forgive him. It behoves you to grant him manhood.

Brahmā said:

118. “So be it” said the goddess to all of them, the goddess who abided by the opinion of Bhava. Then the lord who is always devoted to the utterances of the goddess said:

Śiva said:

119-122. Let this king regain his manhood merely by taking a holy plunge here.

Brahmā said:

Water oozed out from the body of Ilā as she took her holy dip. Whatever she had acquired from Yakṣiṇī, such as dance, music, graceful charms etc. entered the waters of Gaṅgā along with the continuous flow of water and the following rivers issued forth: Nṛtyā (Dance), Gītā (Song) and Saubhāgyā (Conjugal Felicity). They also joined Gaṅgā. These three confluences are very holy. Holy plunge and charitable gift in these confluences bestow the benefit of the kingdom of Devas.

123. After regaining manhood by the favour of Gaurī and Śambhu Ila performed the Vājapeya sacrifice for the achievement of great prosperity.

124-125. That excellent king brought all these: his priest Vasiṣṭha, his wife and sons, his ministers, his army, and his treasury. Then he established a kingdom in the Daṇḍaka with the four types of military units. There that city became well known after the name of Ila.

126-128. This charming town in the valley of Sahya surpasses even the city of Mahendra.

After getting fed up with the enjoyment of worldly pleasures in that excellent city he crowned his sons born previously, in the kingdom that had come to him by succession in the Solar dynasty. Afterwards he sprinkled (the holy water) on Aila with great affection saying, “Let this (boy) be the founder of the Lunar dynasty (and) a glorious king.”

O sage, (in fact) he became more intelligent and excellent than all others (and so) the eldest.

129-131. Sixteen thousand holy centres grew up in the places where the splendid sacrifices were performed by king Ila, where he met the sons after regaining his manhood and where the rivers arising from the faculty of dance, music, conjugal felicity, auspiciousness etc. bestowed by Yakṣiṇī joined Gaṅgā, O Nārada. The holy centres grew up on both the banks. O dear one, Śambhu is called Ileśvara here. Holy dip, charitable gifts etc. in them bestow the benefit of all sacrifices.

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