RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 48
AHALYA
Visvamitra and Sumati mutually enquired of each other’s welfare. Then Sumati said, “Hail to You! Who are these youths? They are like the monarch of the forests. They are majestic in gait like an elephant or a bull. They have eyes like blown lotus. How they shine in their martial attire! They are more like the heavenly twins, the Asvins! Have these gods come from their heavenly abode to this dull earth? Have they walked on foot all the way? What do they seek? Who are they here for? Face, features, gestures, gait, speech, the keenest eye cannot distinguish the one from the other. Why have they trod this wild path? May I know the truth?”
And to this the sage related their stay at the Siddhasrama, and the destruction of the Rakshasas. Sumati was very much pleased. He was pleased to entertain the sons of the ruler of Ayodhya. They spent there a night and at day-break left for Mithila.
The charming capital of Janaka delighted the sages.
On their way, Rama noticed a lonely hermitage. It was at the outskirts of the city. It was old and untenanted. Rama said, “This place remains me your hemitage, sir. Master, who did dwell here last?”
“Listen to me while I narrate to you the story of the story that includes the curse of this hermitage by the sage, Gautama. This was one of the farest spots on earth. He lived here with his wife, Ahalya. He was engaged in a long course of Tapas.
The Lord of the celestials loved Ahalya. He was ever on his watch to accomplish his wishes. One day the sage was away from the cottage. He approached Ahalya in the guise of Gautama. He extolled Ahalya in flowery words. “Love is a merciless tyrant. Man has no power on to stay his will. I am not master of myself. It is not your season. Fold me in your soft arms!”
Ahalya knew it was the Ruler of the Celestials. That he was not her husband. But in her heart she had a soft spot for Indra. She lent an ear to the tempter and –was lost.
She spoke to him later, “I am pleased with you, sir. But leave here before it is too late.”
When Indra was leaving the hermitage, Gautama himself came towards him.
Gods and Asuras stood in hushed awe of him. He was fresh from his bath. The sacred grass were in his hand. He also held a bundle of firesticks. Indra quailed in terror. The calm glance of Gautama pierced into his very soul. His face grew ghastly pale. “Impious wretch! You dared to soil my pure abode. You have come in my name and in my form! I turn you into a pitiful eunuch.” No sooner the words were out of Gautama’s lips than the scrota of Indra fell away from his body!
Next he turned to Ahalya, “You lie here for thousands of years. You would be weary and hungry. No mortal eye shall see you. At a future age, one Rama, son of Dasaratha will come this way. Then only shall the fate shall fall away from you. Then your heart will know peace and joy. Then alone you shall take your place beside me.”
He took his bright presence away from the ill-fated One. He left this holy place for the pleasant peaks of Himalaya.
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