Long ago, there was a great king named Sudyumna who, during one of his hunting expeditions, unknowingly wandered into a forbidden forest. While searching for water, he came upon a clear pool, unaware that it belonged to Shiva and Parvati and that males were forbidden from entering it. Due to the enchantment laid upon the pool, any male who entered would be transformed into a woman. Upon stepping into the water, the king and his stallion were both transformed—he into a woman named Ila, and his stallion into a mare. Ashamed of his new form, Sudyumna, now Ila, chose not to return to his kingdom and began to wander the forest in search of shelter.
Transformation of Sudyumna into Ila and Marriage to Budha
During her wandering, Ila came across the hermitage of sage Budha (the god of the planet Mercury), who was in deep meditation. Using his divine sight, Budha knew the story of the maiden who had once been a king. Out of compassion, Budha invited Ila to stay in his ashram. Over time, the two fell in love and married. In the course of a year, they had a son named Puroorava. At the end of that year, the enchantment lifted, and Ila transformed back into Sudyumna.
Sudyumna returned to his kingdom with his son, Puroorava, and made him his heir. However, according to Devi Bhagavata, the curse had another condition. With the help of Vasishta, his Guru, Sudyumna would transform between a man and woman, spending half the time as a man and the other half as a woman. Unable to bear the taunts from his subjects about this dual nature, Sudyumna eventually crowned Puroorava as king and retired to the forest.
| Characters | Role in the Story | Connection to Other Mythological Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Sudyumna/Ila | King transformed into a woman by divine curse | Sudyumna’s dual nature mirrors stories of transformation in mythology, such as Shikhandi in the Mahabharata |
| Budha | Sage and god of Mercury, husband of Ila | Budha’s compassion reflects the divine intervention of gods like Vishnu and Shiva, who often help those in distress |
| Puroorava | Son of Sudyumna and Budha, future king of the earth | Puroorava’s story connects to the celestial realms, showcasing divine-human interactions akin to Savitri and Satyavan |
The Love Story of Puroorava and Urvashi
Puroorava grew up to be a great king, winning many battles and establishing his fame across the three worlds. His renown reached Indra, the king of the gods, who invited Puroorava to his heavenly court. While visiting Indra’s court, Puroorava met Urvashi, a celestial Apsara (divine nymph), and they fell deeply in love. According to one version of the tale, Puroorava saved Urvashi from a Rakshasa (demon) named Keshi, which won him her favor.
Urvashi agreed to marry Puroorava on three conditions:
- She must be fed only clarified butter (ghee).
- Her two pet lambs must always remain safe.
- Puroorava must never approach her unclothed except during their appointed time for intimacy.
Puroorava, smitten by her beauty, accepted these conditions, and Urvashi came to live with him in his kingdom. The king, completely enamored by Urvashi, neglected his royal duties and spent all his time in her company. Meanwhile, Indra, missing his favorite dancer, decided to retrieve Urvashi. He sent his friend Vishvavasu, a Gandharva, to persuade Urvashi to return to heaven.
The Breach of Puroorava’s Promise
Vishvavasu, unable to meet Urvashi privately because Puroorava was always with her, devised a plan. One night, he stole Urvashi’s pet lambs. Hearing them bleating, Urvashi raised an alarm, and Puroorava, forgetting his promise, rushed out without his clothes to investigate the matter. At that moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the scene, and Urvashi saw her husband in a semi-clothed state. Reminding him of her condition, she resolved to leave him and return to heaven.
| Characters | Role in the Story | Connection to Other Mythological Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Urvashi | Apsara, beloved of Puroorava, returns to heaven | Urvashi’s fleeting nature as an Apsara echoes the transient nature of heavenly love, similar to Menaka and Vishwamitra |
| Vishvavasu | Gandharva sent by Indra to retrieve Urvashi | Vishvavasu plays a role like other divine messengers such as Narada, who act to maintain cosmic order |
| Indra | King of the gods, missing his court dancer | Indra’s actions here reflect his usual involvement in human affairs, as seen in the stories of Shakuntala and Menaka |
Puroorava’s Despair and Urvashi’s Final Words
Puroorava was heartbroken when Urvashi left him. Unable to cope with the loss, he abandoned his kingdom and began wandering the three worlds in search of her. He finally found her in Kurukshetra. Overcome with emotion, he pleaded with her to overlook his breach of promise and return to him. He even threatened to commit suicide if she left him.
Urvashi, however, responded with derision, reminding Puroorava of the fleeting nature of her love. “I am a prostitute, a celestial nymph,” she said. “My favor is as transient as the wind. You have been a fool to fall in love with me. Return to your kingdom and fulfill your duties as a king. I must return to heaven where I belong.”
Despite her cold response, Puroorava could not recover from the heartbreak for a long time. His tragic love for Urvashi is recounted in many texts, including an isolated verse from the Rigveda (R.V.10.95), which presents a dialogue between the two lovers as Puroorava begs Urvashi to stay.
| Event | Significance | Connection to Other Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Puroorava’s Despair | Represents the folly of human attachment to the fleeting | Similar themes of loss and rejection appear in stories like Vishwamitra’s love for Menaka and Dushyanta’s for Shakuntala |
| Urvashi’s Departure | Her transient love highlights the fickle nature of Apsaras | Her behavior mirrors the transient and otherworldly nature of Apsaras, who rarely stay with mortals for long periods |
Versions and Interpretations of the Story
The story of Puroorava and Urvashi is elaborated in various texts, with slightly different versions in each. In Kalidasa’s famous work, Vikramoorvashi, the tale is told in a more romanticized way, where the two lovers are star-crossed but are eventually reunited after undergoing many trials. This version is much more poetic and presents Urvashi and Puroorava as tragic lovers caught in the tension between the mortal and celestial realms.
In contrast, the Puranic versions emphasize the moral lesson that human attachment to celestial beings, particularly Apsaras, is destined for disappointment, as their love is fleeting and not meant for lasting commitment.
Conclusion
The story of Sudyumna/Ila, Puroorava, and Urvashi is deeply intertwined with the themes of transformation, fleeting love, and cosmic justice found throughout Hindu mythology. From Sudyumna’s transformation into Ila and back again, to Puroorava’s doomed love for Urvashi, the narrative explores the complexities of human desire, divine intervention, and the consequences of attachment to impermanent things. Through their trials, these characters remain connected to larger cosmic forces, illustrating the intricate relationships between mortals, gods, and the natural world in Hindu tradition.