The next morning the caravan again proceeded on its journey toward the kingdom of Videha. Upon reaching the outskirts of Mithila, the capital city of Maharaja Janaka, Lord Rama saw an old desolate hermitage. After Rama inquired about it from Vishwamitra, the rishi explained, This ashram formerly belonged to Gautama Rishi who practiced austerities here along with his wife, Ahalya. Once upon a time, knowing that Gautama was away from his ashram, King Indra assumed a form that closely resembled the Rishi. He went to the ashram in that disguise and approached Gautamas wife, saying, `My dear beautiful one, I desire union with you immediately. Please do not disappoint me. He soon spread maya infront of Ahalya,due to which she could not protest or speak anything else… Although Ahalya recognized that it was Indra disguised as Gautama, Ahalya just begged, `O Indra, please protect both of us from the wrath of my husband, Gautama. In reply, Indra assured Ahalya that he would depart immediately, unnoticed by anyone. However, it so happened that while Indra was sneaking away from Gautamas ashram, the rishi suddenly returned. When Gautama saw Indra disguised as himself, his head hanging down in shame, he could well understand the nature of his misconduct. Thus, with great anger, the rishi cursed Indra, `O lusty fool, may your testicles immediately fall off as punishment for this abominable act! No sooner had the curse been pronounced when Indras testicles fell from his body and dropped to the ground. Then, after entering his ashram, Gautama cursed his wife, `O wretched woman! From now on you shall be incapable of eating or drinking, and you will have to lie down on a bed of ashes. Thus, Ahalya was turned into a pillar of stone. Gautama then said, `Only when Lord Rama visits this spot in the distant future will you be absolved of your sin, freed from all lusty desires, and reunited with me as your husband. Saying this, Gautama departed for the Himalayas. Meanwhile, Indra informed the demigods, `I have successfully thwarted Gautama Rishis attempt to attain my position as King of heaven by making him angry. However, in the process I have lost my testicles. Now, somehow or other, please arrange for my manhood to be restored. Responding to Indras plea, the demigods arranged for the Pitris to castrate a ram and grafted its testicles onto Indras body. Vishwamitra then invited Lord Rama to enter the ashram of Gautama, thus freeing Ahalya from her husbands curse. As soon as Rama entered the hermitage, Ahalya regained her original form, dazzling with ascetic splendor. Rama and Lakshmana respectfully touched Ahalyas feet, and she warmly welcomed the two brothers and Vishwamitra, offering them ample hospitality. Indeed, upon Ahalyas liberation, there was a sudden shower of celestial flowers, with drums beating in the heavens. Gautama Rishi then came there to be reunited with his wife, likewise worshipping Lord Rama and Lakshmana with great reverence.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:05:31 +0000
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