Story 2. Mahabharata - Neither Man nor Woman: Wife for Budh

Blog by Kalpesh Arun Patil

1. Why Mahabharata starts with Story of Brihaspati, Tara & Chandra?

Lord Rama (Ramayana) belonged to IKSHVAKU of Surya or Solar Dynasty, while the Kauravas and Pandavas belonged to Lunar Dynasty or Chandra Vamsa. Because of this reason our Mahabharata story started with Brihaspati, Tara & Chandra they are the seeds of the huge tree which we called as Mahabharata. 

 

2. A Curse or a Blessing in Disguise

As Budh grew up he wondered if he would find anyone to share his life, for he was neither man nor woman. We will get you married, Tara said with confidence.

To whom mother, a husband or a wife? Asked Budh

Whatever fate considers appropriate said Tara. Everything in this world happens for a purpose. Your father’s curse must have a reason. It will all work out. Have faith.

3. The Faith Worked Out 

Budh saw a woman called ILA and fell in love.

But ILA was no woman; she was once a man, a prince called Sudyumna, Son of Manu, and the first king of humans.

4. Controversial birth of ILA

  

ILA was born as the eldest daughter of Vaivasvata Manu, the progenitor of mankind, and his wife Shraddha. However, the parents desired a son and so prayed and performed austerities to propitiate the deities Mitra ( God of Justice & Truth ) and Varuna ( God of Sky, Ocean & Water ) , who changed ILA’s gender.

The boy was named Sudyumna. ILA’s parents could not have any children for a long time and approached the sage Agastya for a solution. The sage performed a Yajna (fire sacrifice) dedicated to Mitra and Varuna to attain a son for the couple. Due to either an error in the ritual or a failure to offer the appropriate sacrifice, Mitra and Varuna instead sent a daughter to the couple.

 

5. ILA Meets Shiva & Parvati – Birth of Lunar Dynasty

 

ILA grows to become the king of Bahlika. While hunting in a forest, ILA accidentally trespassed Sharavana ("Forest of Reeds"), the sacred grove of the goddess Parvati, the consort of the god Shiva. Upon entering Sharavana, all-male beings except for Shiva, including trees and animals, are transformed into females.

When ILA approached Shiva for help, Shiva laughed with scorn but the compassionate Parvati reduced the curse and allowed ILA to switch genders every month. However, as a male, he would not remember his life as a female and vice versa. 

While ILA roamed the forest in her new form with her female attendants, Budh, the god of the Planet Mercury and the son of the moon-god Chandra, noticed her. Although he had been practicing ascetism, ILA’s beauty caused him to fall in love with her at first sight. 

Budh turned ILA's attendants into Kimpurusha (Lion headed beings) and ordered them to run away, promising that they would find mates as ILA had.

ILA married Budh and spent an entire month with him and consummated the marriage. However, ILA woke one morning as Sudyumna and remembered nothing about the past month. Budh told ILA that his retinue had been killed in a rain of stones and convinced ILA to stay with him for a year. 

During each month she spent as a woman, ILA had a good time with Budh. During each month as a man, ILA turned to pious ways and performed austerities under the guidance of Budh. In the ninth month, ILA gave birth to Pururavas, who grew to become the first king of the lunar dynasty.

6. ILA and Budh Offspring's

BUDH who was neither male nor female found a perfect spouse in ILA. Who was born male and female, together they had many sons. They were called the Ailas, but there son Pururavas became very popular for his noble deeds. 

Their Sons were also called the Chandra-Vamsis descendants of the moon, a title that did not quiet please either Brihaspati or the Devas. This is why perhaps logical reasoning often eluded the passionate kings of this lineage.

7. ILA’s Progeny as Men & Women

As a women and Men she had total of Four Son’s who she loved them all equally and never showed any favoritism.

As Women she had One Son: Pururavas

As Men she had three Sons: Utkala, Gaya & Vinatashva

8. Summary

In time, the Chandra-vamsis would forget the gender ambiguity of both BUDH and ILA. They would mock it when it would become manifest in Arjuna’s brother-in-law, Shikandi. They would stop him from entering the battlefield. Such is the nature of manmade laws.

 

9. Next BLOG

A Vedic Love Story : Pururavas, The Celestial Nymph and the sacred Goat