RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--CHAPTER 49, AHALYA AND RAMA

                                                     RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN –CHAPTER 49

                                                                   AHALYA AND RAMA

Indra was deprived of his vital organs. Indra sought out the gods and sages. He cried to them in fear. “It was for you I seduced Ahalya. You were afraid of Gautama’s Tapas. And you wanted me to somehow spoil the same. And now you see the consequences. I am deprived of the vital power. And my partner in crime is put away from her husband in anger. But I have caused him to utter a curse. Which has considerably lessened his might and energy. So it is your duty to restore me my power I lost because of you.”

Then the Devas, the Sages, and the Charanas approached the Fathers. Agni was their spokesman. He said, “Our Lord and Master has ravished the wife of Gautama. He has cursed him. The curse has rendered him an object of pity and scorn. Because he has lost his virile power. We set him on the task. Now he blames us. You may transfer the scrota of the goat to him.” The Fathers approved the suggestion of Agni. They transferred to Indra the scrota of the goat.

Then the Fathers gladly accepted the offering of the goat without its scrota. From that day Indra goes about with the scrota of the goat. Let us now, Rama dear, approach the precincts of Gautama’s hermitage. It is given to you to release Ahalya from the curse of her husband.”

Rama followed Visvamitra into the hermitage. Lakshmana followed Rama. They saw the dame there. The denizens of the worlds above and below could not see her fiery radiance. The penance of thousands of years had given her such brilliance. She looked like some creation of a divine artist. She was more radient than the Queen of Night. Ahalya looked more like the blinding effulgence of the noon-day sun. There she stood invisible to the mortals and immortals. But now her hour has struck for her release. She burst upon the wondering eyes of her visitors like some sweet vision.

The royal youths hastened to touch her feet in reverence. She offered to them the highest rites of hospitality. They accepted her hospitality with a pleased heart. Flowers showered from the high heavens. Gandharvas and the Apsarasas scored music. “Bravo” cried the Celestial hosts, “well and nobly done” They paid high worship to Gautama’s spouse.

Then there came Gautama from the far-off Himalayas. The happy pair offered worship to Rama. Thereafter Gautama resumed his life of calm meditation and holy vows in the company of his wife, Ahalya. Rama took up his march to Mithila following the Holy One.