The Ila family tree in Hindu mythology traces Ila (also spelled Ilā) as a pivotal ancestor of the Lunar Dynasty (Chandravamsha), with her/his lineage connecting to the god Soma, the legendary King Pururavas, and the great Kuru and Yadava clans. Ila is unique in that she was born as a daughter of Manu, the first man, but was later transformed into a male named Sudyumna, and her/his descendants include some of the most famous figures in the Mahabharata and Puranas.
Who Is Ila in Hindu Mythology?
Ila appears in several Hindu texts, most notably the Rigveda, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas (especially the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana). In the Rigveda, Ila is primarily a goddess of speech and nourishment, often invoked as a personification of the offering of food. However, in later mythological narratives, Ila becomes a mortal figure—the eldest child of Vaivasvata Manu, the current Manu (the progenitor of humanity) in Hindu cosmology. This dual identity—as both a Vedic goddess and a human ancestor—makes Ila a complex and fascinating figure.
The Birth and Gender Transformation of Ila
According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Manu and his wife Shatarupa had a daughter named Ila. Desiring a son to continue his lineage, Manu performed a sacrifice to the gods Mitra and Varuna. By a twist of fate—sometimes described as a blessing from the goddess Parvati or a curse from Shiva—Ila was transformed into a man named Sudyumna. The exact mechanism varies by text: some say Manu’s prayer caused the change, while others attribute it to Ila inadvertently entering a sacred grove that turned any female into a male. As Sudyumna, Ila became a king and ruled over the city of Pratishthana (modern-day Allahabad/Prayagraj).
Later, Sudyumna again encountered the same sacred grove (or, in some versions, was cursed by Shiva to alternate genders), and was transformed back into a female, Ila. This gender fluidity is central to Ila’s story and her role in the family tree, as it allowed her to be both a mother and a father to different lineages.
Ila’s Marriage and Children
As a woman, Ila married Budha (the planet Mercury), who was the son of Soma (the moon god). This marriage is significant because it linked the lunar dynasty to the divine. Ila and Budha had a son named Pururavas, who became the first great king of the Lunar Dynasty. Pururavas is famous for his love story with the celestial nymph Urvashi, and their union produced six sons, including Ayus, who continued the line. Ayus’s descendants include the legendary King Bharata (after whom India is named Bharat), the Kauravas, and the Pandavas of the Mahabharata.
In her male form as Sudyumna, Ila also had sons—three in most accounts: Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatashva (or Vimalashva). These sons founded kingdoms in different regions: Utkala ruled the northern part of India (modern Odisha), Gaya ruled the city of Gaya in Bihar, and Vinatashva ruled elsewhere. Thus, Ila/Sudyumna is considered the ancestor of both the lunar dynasty (through Pururavas) and several other royal lines.
The Lunar Dynasty (Chandravamsha) Connection
The Lunar Dynasty is one of the two principal legendary dynasties in Hindu mythology, the other being the Solar Dynasty (Suryavamsha). Ila’s marriage to Budha (Mercury) is the crucial link that makes her the mother of the Lunar Dynasty. The dynasty is called “Lunar” because it descends from Soma, the moon god, through his son Budha. The line from Pururavas onward includes many famous kings:
- Pururavas – son of Ila and Budha; his romance with Urvashi is told in the Rigveda and later texts.
- Ayus – son of Pururavas and Urvashi; he continued the dynasty.
- Nahusha – a powerful king who briefly ruled heaven, but was later cursed.
- Yayati – a king known for his many sons and the curse of premature aging.
- Bharata – an ancestor of the Kuru dynasty, after whom the Mahabharata is named.
- Kuru – the founder of the Kuru line, which led to the Pandavas and Kauravas.
The Yadava clan, to which Krishna belonged, also descends from Yayati through his son Yadu, making Ila a distant ancestor of Krishna as well.
Ila in Different Texts: Variations
The story of Ila is not uniform across all Hindu scriptures. In the Rigveda (c. 1500–1200 BCE), Ila is a goddess of worship, not a mortal. The transformation into a male is not mentioned there. The Mahabharata (c. 400 BCE–400 CE) presents the full story of Ila and Sudyumna, but with some variations: for instance, in one version, Ila is cursed by Shiva for disturbing his meditation, while in another, she is blessed by Parvati to regain her femininity. The Puranas (composed from around 300 CE onward) add more details, such as the specific names of Sudyumna’s sons and the location of the sacred grove. Some texts also state that Ila was originally a man who was turned into a woman, while others say the reverse. These variations reflect the fluid nature of oral and written traditions.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that Ila is solely a female figure. In fact, Ila is both male and female at different points in the narrative, and some traditions even describe Ila as an androgynous deity. Another misconception is that the Lunar Dynasty begins with Pururavas alone; actually, Ila is the mother, and Budha the father, so the dynasty’s divine lineage includes both. Some readers also confuse Ila with the goddess Saraswati, but they are distinct: Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, while Ila is more associated with speech and nourishment in Vedic texts, and with ancestry in later mythology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Ila’s parents?
In the Puranic and epic traditions, Ila is the daughter of Vaivasvata Manu (the current Manu) and his wife Shatarupa. In the Rigveda, Ila is a goddess without a clear parentage, but later texts make her a human princess.
Why was Ila transformed into a man?
According to the Mahabharata and Puranas, Ila was transformed into Sudyumna because of a blessing or curse. In one version, Manu’s sacrifice to Mitra and Varuna caused the change; in another, Ila entered a sacred grove that turned females into males. The transformation was later reversed when she re-entered the grove or was blessed by Parvati.
Who did Ila marry?
As a woman, Ila married Budha, the son of Soma (the moon god). Budha is also the personification of the planet Mercury. Their son was Pururavas, the first king of the Lunar Dynasty.
What is the difference between Ila and Sudyumna?
Ila and Sudyumna are the same person in different forms. Ila is the female form, and Sudyumna is the male form. The transformation is central to the story, allowing Ila to have children in both forms.
Who are the descendants of Ila?
Through her son Pururavas, Ila is the ancestor of the entire Lunar Dynasty, including the Pandavas and Kauravas. Through her sons as Sudyumna—Utkala, Gaya, and Vinatashva—she is also the ancestor of several regional royal lines in India.
Is Ila mentioned in the Rigveda?
Yes, Ila is mentioned in the Rigveda, but there she is a goddess of worship, speech, and nourishment, not a mortal ancestor. The story of her transformation appears only in later texts like the Mahabharata and Puranas.
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