Vritkanth: "Karkanart, when Budh answered Indra's questions with such precision, did Indra accept him? Or did his jealousy grow even stronger?"
Karkanart: (in a somber tone) "My friend, power and ego never accept defeat easily. Indra saw that Budh's fame was now spreading across all three worlds. He realized that if Budh continued to influence everyone with his intellect, a day might come when even the gods would seek guidance not from Indra, but from Budh. That thought alone unsettled him deeply.
So, Indra decided to use his most dangerous power—Maya, the power of illusion."
Vritkanth: "Maya? Did he send celestial nymphs to distract Budh?"
Karkanart: "No. Apsaras were too insignificant a temptation for someone like Budh. Indra knew that beauty and charm would not shake him. So he devised a far more subtle and dangerous plan.
Using his illusion, Indra created an imaginary city called Pragya Puri—a city of perfect wisdom and unmatched grandeur. Then he presented Budh with an opportunity—an opportunity that would tempt even the wisest of minds.
Indra said, 'O brilliant Budh! Your intellect is not meant to remain confined within the walls of an ashram. It is meant to rule, to govern. I grant you this magnificent city—Pragya Puri. Become its ruler and establish an ideal kingdom through your wisdom.'"
Vritkanth: "That sounds like a beautiful and honorable offer. Did Budh fall for this temptation?"
Karkanart: "That, my friend, was the trap. Indra wanted Budh to get entangled in the web of power, politics, and luxury. If Budh became a king, he would remain just a ruler—never rising to become a celestial force, a guiding intellect, or a planet of significance.
Budh entered that illusory city. Its grandeur surpassed even heaven. Scholars praised him endlessly, and graceful women longed to serve him. Everything was designed to make him feel powerful, respected, and fulfilled."
Vritkanth: "And then? Did Budh's mind waver?"
Karkanart: "Budh stood at the palace balcony and looked out over the city. Everything appeared perfect—there was no sorrow, no disease, no struggle.
And in that very perfection… something felt wrong.
The true Budh awakened within him.
He thought, 'Where there is no struggle, how can there be growth? Where there is no fear of death, what value does life hold? This perfection is not life—it is stagnation disguised as harmony.'"
In that moment, Budh closed his eyes and, through his yogic power, looked beyond the surface of the city. What he saw shattered the illusion.
The very bricks of that city were not made of truth—they were woven from Indra's will. It was not a test of knowledge, but a calculated attempt to corrupt his character.
Vritkanth: "So did he renounce the kingdom?"
Karkanart: "Not only did he renounce it—he shattered it.
Standing at the center of that grand illusion, Budh burst into a powerful laugh. The echo of his laughter tore through the fabric of Indra's Maya. The illusion began to crack and crumble.
Budh declared in a loud, unwavering voice: 'Indra! Toys of clay may amuse children, but not the wise. I do not seek a kingdom—I seek truth. I do not seek subjects—I seek wisdom.'"
Vritkanth: (joyfully) "Amazing! Budh crushed Indra's ego completely."
Karkanart: "Yes. Indra's illusion collapsed entirely. Returning to the assembly, Budh bowed at the feet of Brihaspati and said, 'Gurudev, my purpose here is complete. I now understand that worldly honor and positions are nothing but chains. I will now walk the path of penance, where I shall rise not merely as a celestial body, but as a force that shapes time itself.'"
Tears welled up in Brihaspati's eyes. He realized that his disciple had now surpassed even him.
But, my friend Vritkanth, the story does not end here. A new chapter was about to begin—one that would introduce Ila, a being of mystery. Their union would lay the foundation of the Chandravamsha, the lunar dynasty, which would one day give rise to the महान king Pururava."
Vritkanth: "Ila? Who was she? And how did a detached soul like Budh come to be connected with her?"
Karkanart: (folding his wings thoughtfully) "That story is even more astonishing. It is a tale of transformation, curses, and blessings—a mystery that has left even great sages in awe. But the sun has now completely set. Let us pause here for today."
The Birth of Ila and the Forbidden Forest
Moonlight had now fully spread across the lake. In the silence of the night, even Vritkanth's breathing could be heard clearly. He stared intently at Karkanart, eager for what was to come next.
Vritkanth: "Karkanart, you mentioned Ila. Her name sounds as gentle as a stream of cool water, yet you called her a mystery. Who was she? And what connection could she possibly have with someone as detached as Budh?"
Karkanart: (drawing his tail closer) "My friend, Ila's story begins in a time when King Vaivasvat Manu of the Solar Dynasty longed deeply for a child. He performed a महान यज्ञ to be blessed with a पुत्र. However, a subtle error occurred during the ritual.
Manu desired a son—but due to the wish of his wife Shraddha, a beautiful daughter was born instead. She was named Ila."
Vritkanth: "A son was desired, but a daughter was born? Did King Manu accept her?"
Karkanart: "Manu was confused and conflicted. At that moment, Maharishi Vashistha used his immense spiritual power to transform Ila into a male. He was then named Sudyumna.
Sudyumna grew into a brave and valiant prince, fond of hunting. One day, while chasing prey, he ventured northward and entered a forest at the foothills of the Himalayas—a forest known as Sharavana."
Vritkanth: "What was special about that forest, Karkanart?"
Karkanart: "That forest was no ordinary place. It was the sacred retreat of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Mahadev had established a divine law there—any man who entered that forest would instantly transform into a woman.
Sudyumna was unaware of this curse.
As he rode into the fragrant depths of the forest, a transformation began to take hold of his body."
Vritkanth: (astonished) "He turned into a woman? What about his soldiers?"
Karkanart: "Yes. Every man who entered with him—even his horse—was transformed into a female form. Sudyumna once again became Ila—this time permanently within that realm.
She became a woman of extraordinary beauty—so captivating that even the gods would have been enchanted.
Confused, distressed, and lost, Ila wandered through the forest, unable to understand how she could ever return to her former identity… or her kingdom."
The story was no longer just about wisdom or illusion.
Now, it had entered the realm of destiny, transformation, and divine design.
And somewhere ahead… the paths of Budh and Ila were destined to cross.