Bala Kanda Sarga - 48

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Bala Kanda Sarga - 48

Om Asmadgurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

Sumati asked Vishvamitra, "These two young men appear to be equal to Devathas by

their valor. Their walking resembles a combination of animals, like an elephant,

lion, bull and a tiger. By their walk, they are imitating an elephant's

triumphant nature, lion with pride; tiger's conceit, and bull's arrogance. But

their eyes are like lotus petals. They are prepared with sword, bow and arrows.

These things appear to be ornaments on them instead of weapons. They are

attracting everyone with their striking eyes. In beauty they resemble Aswani

Devathas and their youthfulness is charming. It looks like they descended from

Devaloka to Bhooloka. They may possibly look like mortals but they give the

impression of immortals. How are they walking in the forest with their fragile

foot? Whose sons are they? Just like Moon and Sun, they make sky brighter and

these two are making our city shine. They seem to be equal to each other in

their looks, height, movement and pose. Why did they come to this dense forest?

I am curious to know and please clarify me." On Sumathis' request, Vishvamithra

explained what had had happened so far and He went on to say that, "They came to

Siddhasrama to protect the yajna, furthermore they killed demons called Thataka

and Subahu who tried to ruin the yajna." Upon knowing that, these two are the

brave sons of Dasaratha, Sumati welcomed Them with all the honors owed to them.

After resting that night, Ramachandra and Lakshmana, along with the other Rishis

left for Janakapuri the next morning. Near Mithila, they saw a hermitage which

was very old and abandoned but agreeable. Looking at that, Ramachandra said, "Oh

Maharishi! This looks like a hermitage where no one is in residence. Can you

please explain to me who used to live here"? To Rama's request, Vishvamithra

gave the history of the hermitage. "Many many years, this hermitage belonged to

a great Maharishi named Gouthama. Devathas used to pray here. Gouthama with his

wife Ahalya performed several years of Tapas here. One day, when Gouthama went

to do His anushtanams, taking that opportunity, Indra came in the form of

Gouthama and asked Ahalya, "I am enchanted with you, and let us do our duties

later." Brahma created Ahalya (one without ugliness). Indra knew that, she was

totally pure and that's why he called her "susamahitha". He also had a desire to

wed her during her swayamvara time. But he couldn't fulfill Brahma's conditions

and he couldn't win her hand in marriage, instead Gouthama married her. Along

with his lust for Ahalya, Indra also wanted to prevent Gouthama from finishing

His Tapas. Though Ahalya knew that it was Indra who came to her hermitage in the

form of Gouthama, as "Pride goes before fall", she was flattered by Indra's

attention who was the king of Devathas and with a weak mind set she agreed to

bond with Indra. While Indra was leaving the hermitage, Gouthama entered the

ashram and saw Indra. Gouthama Maharishi was very powerful and even Devathas

cannot conquer Him. He had the power of His Tapas. He was in his wet cloths as

he was coming from taking a dip in the river and He was astounding in His great

power. He was holding samidhas and darbha in His hand. Frightened Indra with his

pale face just stood there shaking with fear and remorse. Gouthama, who was

virtuous, cursed Indra with faulted words, "Oh! Sinful Indra, you have done an

unsolicited act by taking my form due to Kama (lust). You will be punished for

this, and may you never have this kind of desire anymore. He also cursed Ahalya

and said, "You will live in this hermitage for thousands of years without food

and only living on air. No one can see you, and you will live as part of ashes

on the ground doing penance." It was not written in Ramayana, that Ahalya became

a statue or a stone. Ahalya knowingly performed an unwelcome act, which was

influenced by the food she consumed. That was the reason; Gouthama cursed her to

live without food. Not to have any desires or create any desires he cursed her

to be invisible as ashes on the ground. For that curse, Gouthama also gave a way

out. "When Dasarathas' son Rama comes to this dense forest, you will be released

from this curse and become pure. With the touch of Rama's Holy feet all your

sins will be washed away. Then you will get your original form and you will live

contentedly with me again". Thus said Gouthama and left errant Ahalya at this

hermitage and left for Himalayas. Even good people, committing immoral acts

with desire, have to suffer bad consequences from it. But with the blessings of

Acharya and Divine Grace bad deeds get burnt to ashes. With Sri Rama's Thiruvadi

(Holy Feet) Ahalya was released from her curse.

(To cont)

Jai Srimannarayana!

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