Episode Thirteen - The Story of Ahalya

Welcome to the thirteenth episode of The Journey of Rama. If this is your first encounter with The Journey, please read Episode One first.

The Table of Contents is here:

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On with Episode Thirteen!

Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshman set off for Mithila the following morning. The journey would take several days of vigorous hiking, and they paced themselves accordingly. The princes enjoyed the expedition: the opportunity to stretch their muscles as well as explore forests, streams, lakes, and hills unknown to them was invigorating.

Vishvamitra walked first, taking the lead in broad strides. As they moved through a rare open field, the two young men walked side by side. Lakshman turned to Rama. “Brother, may I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” Rama smiled.

“Instead of killing Maricha when the demons attacked, you used an enchanted weapon to drive him thousands of miles away. Why did you not slay him?”

“I will share one reason with you. It is often the best course to eliminate a threat without taking a life.”

“There are more reasons?”

“Yes, my brother. And more will be revealed.”

Lakshman knew it would be pointless to inquire further. When it was time to know, he would know.

As they walked, they noticed the forest had gone quiet. No bird sang, and no breeze rustled the leaves. The air grew cooler. They reached a clearing where stood a hermitage that obviously had not been occupied for some time. The grass had grown tall except near a flat stone slab in front of the hut. Vishvamitra raised his hand, bidding Rama and Lakshman to stop.

“Revered teacher, what is this place?” inquired Rama. “And what does this stone represent?”

Vishvamitra smiled. “It is well that you ask, Rama. This place and this stone have awaited your presence for a long time.”

Rama and Lakshman sat on the ground near the stone and waited for Vishvamitra to continue.

“This was the hermitage of a great holy man named Gautama,” said Vishvamitra, “who was married to a young, beautiful, virtuous wife known as Ahalya. Ahalya had caught the eye of Lord Indra, king of the gods, who is not known as the most honorable among the gods. Indra was determined to have Ahalya, but he knew that she would not betray her husband. One day, when Gautama had gone to perform his ablutions, followed by his daily worship, Indra came down to earth disguised as Gautama. He entered the hermitage and tricked Ahalya into making love with him.

“Gautama returned to the hut and discovered the two. Enraged, he cursed them. ‘You set eyes on my wife? I shall give you a thousand eyes!’ shouted Gautama. The curse of a sage is a terrible thing, and Indra’s body was instantly covered with eyes. ‘And you, unfaithful wife! You have turned my heart to stone; therefore, you will become a stone!’”

“And this stone is Ahalya?” asked Rama.

“Yes, my prince, but there is more. After he had pronounced the curses, Indra confessed to Gautama that he had deceived Ahalya and that she had not knowingly been unfaithful. Gautama could not take back his word, but he amended the spell. Ahalya would remain a stone until Lord Rama came to prove her purity and free her.”

“And here we are,” said Rama gravely. He rose to his feet and approached the stone, removing the sandal from his right foot. As soon as he touched the slab with his toe, the stone began to glow and soften, rising to human height and changing shape to become Ahalya once more.

The woman, dressed in a red sari, dropped to her knees and touched Rama’s feet with both hands. “My Lord,” she said tearfully, “I do not know how long I have waited for your grace, but I knew one day you would come to free me. Whatever evil I have done, you have sanctified me.”

“You have done no wrong, noble woman. Go now and be with your husband in the realm of saints, if that is your wish,” said Rama.

Ahalya rose to her feet and bowed to Lord Rama with folded hands. In a flash of blinding light, she disappeared.

Rama stood silent as both Vishvamitra and Lakshman bowed to him. Returning the salutation to Vishvamitra, he said, “Should we not resume our journey, Master?”

Vishvamitra nodded. Rama slipped his sandal back onto his foot, and the three left the hermitage behind. Lakshman looked back only once.

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