man, woman, moksha

Man, woman, Moksha.

Siva and Parvati were hard at it, making love in a lovely forest. Alas, the great sages headed by Sanaka chose just that moment to intrude, paying respects to the Great God. Parvati, all undressed as she was, was shamed. The sages wisely did not stay. Siva cursed: Anyone who enters this forest will immediately become female!

The king of the land at that time was handsome young Sudyumna, fond of his Sindhu horse, and of hunting in the company of his hefty (male) companions. And they entered that forest; immediately they became women, and even the horse became a mare! Handsome Sudyumna became the lovely beauty, and adopted the name Ila. Making the best of it, Ila and companions made a picnic of it in that enchanting forest.

Budha, son of Chandra by Tara the wife of Brhaspati, had grown up to be a god as lovely to look at as his father. He fell in love with Ila, who too fancied him. To them was born – the great Pururavas, who espoused the Apsara Urvasi, and founded the Puru line of kings to which the Pandava and Kaurava brothers were later to belong.

Great sage Vasistha felt pity for Ila, who ought to be Sudyumna, the king. He prayed to Siva, who blessed that Ila would be female one month, and male the next in strict alternation! This made it impossible for him to return to his court, and so, Vasistha worshipped the Almighty Mother Goddess of the Universe, more powerful than all the gods, and more merciful that most women. She not only granted the boon he desired, but also assured him that he would attain ultimate bliss and release from the chain of rebirths.

And so, Ila now become Sudyumna again, ruled only just so long as was required to groom Pururavas to assume regnal responsibilities before merging himself in ultimate MOKSHA in the Primordial Power.