Green Message
Home > Bharatavarsha > Scriptures > Valmiki Ramayana > Sri Rama visiting Gautama Ashrama and delivering Devi Ahalya

Sri Rama visiting Gautama Ashrama and delivering Devi Ahalya

Mithila upavana - Gautama Ashrama: Sri Rama delivering Devi Ahalya from her curse:

(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 48 to 49)

Sri Rama delivering Devi Ahalya from curseश्रीमदहल्योद्धारक राम् (Shrimad-Ahalya-Uddharaka Raam): Who delivered Devi Ahalya from her curse

Meditation:: I meditate on Sri Rama visiting the erstwhile hermitage of sage Gautama at the outskirts of Mithila and delivering Devi Ahalya from the curse of sage Gautama.

Sri Rama hearing about the hermitage of sage Gautama:: When Sri Rama came to the outskirts of Mithila, he saw a hermitage which was uninhabited, but yet charming to look at. Sri Rama asked the eminent sage Vishwamitra whose hermitage it was. Sage Vishwamitra told that the hermitage with a divine glow, which was adored even by gods, belonged to the great-souled Gautama. In this hermitage, sage Gautama of great renown, performed Tapas for many years, and lived with Devi Ahalya.

Sri Rama hearing about the curse of Devi Ahalya:: Sri Rama heard the story of Indra desiring Devi Ahalya and subsequent curse pronounced on Ahalya by sage Gautama. When sage Gautama was not there in the hermitage, Indra, also known as Sahashraksha, the husband of Devi Sachi, came there in the guise of sage Gautama. Indra told Ahalya: "O beautiful one, do not wait for the Ritukala; I want union with you now". Even though, Devi Ahalya knew that he was Indra in the guise of Muni, she decided to satisfy his desire. After satisfying his desire, she felt contented and said to Indra: O best of gods, go away now, and protect yourself and me from sage Gautama. When Indra was leaving the hermitage, sage Gautama of great ascetic power, came there, holding samidha and kusha grass in his hands. On seeing sage Gautama, Indra became highly scared. Sage Gautama in great rage cursed Indra: "O evil-minded one, taking my guise you have performed a great misdeed. Hence you will not be able to produce children in future". Due to the curse of sage Gautama, the testicles of Indra fell on the ground at that very moment. Then sage Gautama cursed Devi Ahalya: "You will lay on the floor of this hermitage, unseen by others, for many thousands of years, consuming air alone, till the unassailable Rama, the son of Dasharatha comes here and purifies you. O woman of ill behaviour, when you welcome Sri Rama, you will become free of Lobha (Desire) and Moha (Delusion), and regain your form". Then sage Gautama abandoned the hermitage and went to the Himalayas for Tapas. (Thereafter Indra, through a sacrificial ritual and with the help of Agni deva got the testicles of a ram).

Sri Rama delivering Devi Ahalya from her curse:: When Sri Rama entered the hermitage of sage Gautama, the curse of Devi Ahalya ended and she became visible again. Ahalya, of great beauty, who was performing Tapas till then (for thousands of years), consuming air alone, flared like a sacrificial fire due to her austerity. Seeing her (as a great ascetic), Rama and Lakshmana touched her feet. Remembering the words of sage Gautama, Devi Ahalya welcomed them and offered Arghya and Padya (Water for washing hand and feet). Sri Rama accepted her hospitality. Then there was a shower of flowers from heaven along with divine music. Then sage Gautama happily united with Devi Ahalya and adored Sri Rama.

Ahilya Asthan, Darbhanga district, Bihar Ahilya Asthan, Darbhanga district, Bihar - Darbhanga Ahilya Asthan (Darbhanga district, Bihar).

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

Stotras

Scriptures

Pilgrimages

Festivals

Sages

Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

Sadhana

Sanskrit

Nature

Arts and Sciences

Bharatavarsha


Meditations on Earth, Life and Dharma: >>



Om, May there be Peace in Heaven,
May there be Peace in the Sky,
May there be Peace in the Earth,

(Shanti Mantra of Upanishad)

Preserve Nature,
And Nature will preserve Us,
Simplify Life,
And help Nature thrive,
Plant Trees,
And make our planet Green.

Next >>

Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature

Last updated on Jan-2025

Site Map    Search    Contact    Updates