Thursday 19 February 2015

Balakandam !! 48. The legend of Ahalya !!

 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Prushtva Thu Kushalam Thathra Paraspara Samagamey |
Katha Anthey Sumathi: Vakyam Vyajahara Mahamunim ||
Imaou Kumarou Bhadhram They Deva Thulya Parakramou |
Gajasimha Gathi Veerou Shardhoola Vrushabham Upamou ||
Padma Pathra Vishalakshai Shankha Thuni  Dhanurdharaou |
Ashvinou Iva Roopena Samupasthitha Youvanou ||
Yadhricchaya Yeva Gam Prapthou Devalokath Iva Amarou |
Katham Padmabhyam Iha Prapthou Kima Artham Kasya Va Mune ||
 
 
King Sumithra exchanged warm wishes to Sage Vishwamithra and enquired about Rama and Lakshmana “ Oh! Illustrious Brahmin/Rishey, I earnestly pray to describe about the two youths who are valorous as deities/Deva, daring as King of elephants/Gajasimha, powerful as Shardhoolam & Vrushabha/lion & Bull.  These Dhanurdharas/proficient in bow & arrow who has beautiful wide eyes like lotus flowers has the courage of Lord Vishnu, their charismatic looks and physical features has the resemblance of splendid Ashvini Kumaras.  Are they immortals from the abode of deities who has taken an opportunity to walk down to Earth? These two youths has similar physique and facial expressions, their presence in the province has the resemblance of the existence of Lord Surya and Lord Chandra simultaneously.  Oh Rishey, I would like to know more about the valorous youths/Narashreshta who are wielding powerful weapons and had taken great efforts to cross the difficult paths to arrive in this province.”  Sage Vishwamithra described the purpose of thevisit of Rama and Lakshman to Siddhashrama/hermitage and the annihilation of the demons.  King Sumathi was spellbound after listening to the gallant deeds of Rama and Lakshmana, eventually he received the prominent youths, sons of King Dasaratha with great honor and respect.  On that night Rama and Lakshmana along with Sage Vishwamithra halted in the province of King Sumathi, and on the next day they have preceded their journey to Mithila.  As soon as they entered the marvelous city Mithila  of King Janaka, all the sages assembled were admired the grandeur of it.  Rama’s eye fell on a very old rundown hermitage that was discarded for long time back and expressed his desire to listen about the same to Sage Vishwamithra.  Sage Vishwamithra narrated “Oh! Raghava, It’s my pleasure to describe about the great soul who was lived in the hermitage had mercilessly undergo curse.  It was the marvelous hermitage of the illustrious Sage Gouthama, which was venerated by deities; he practiced severe austerities living in this hermitage with his wife Ahalya.  The thousand eyed Lord Indra, consort of Sacchidevi, assumed the guise of Sage Gauthama and approached the hermitage while the Sage was not present.  Lord Indra approached Ahalya and enticed her, expressed his intense desire to have physical relationship with her.  Oh! Raghunandana, Ahalya was realized the fact that the thousand eyed Lord Indra has the immense desire to have physical relationship with her, in order to please the King of Lords she yielded for his desires.  Ahalya was extremely satisfied at her heart of hearts and prompted Lord Indra, ruler of deities to leave the hermitage before the arrival of Sage Gauthama.  Lord Indra too had immense pleasure of sense gratification in the association of Ahalya and left the hermitage abruptly was run into Sage Gauthama.   Ultimately, the resplendent Sage Gauthama cursed Ahalya for her immoral act and discarded the sacred hermitage. The Surapathi/Lord Indra who was in the guise of Sage was extremely appalling at the sight of the Sage Gauthama.  The most infuriated Sage was cursed the thousand eyed Lord Indra to turn unproductive for his depraved act and cursed Ahalya to remain invisible form for thousands of years ignored by all the living beings, without any food and live with only air, swallow up in dust for her dishonest and immoral act of sense gratification, ultimately get purified and regain her original form by the touch of Rama, son of King Dasaratha.  Eventually Sage Gauthama abandoned the marvelous hermitage which was venerated by the Siddhas and Charanas, further preceded to the serene peaks of Mount Himalayas to practice severe asceticism.”
 
 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!