The life of Ahalya is a proof for Lord Rama being Vishnu incarnate. Ahalya, wife of sage Gautama, lived in Ashrama near Mithila, which had many ancient trees and beautiful atmosphere. But it wore a deserted look as it was subjected to a curse. Gautama spent his life in peace and holy meditation in ashram with his wife. One day Indra had lust towards Ahalya , and so he disguised himself, and approached Ahalya for his bad desires. Ahalya became a victim easily , and yielded quickly as she was loved by Lord of celestials. Gautama noted this incident and compelled for her long penance.Gautama cursed his wife Ahalya, who was found guilty of adultery, to lead a stony life, unseen by others and bereft of all power of movement . When she prayed for his compassion, with tears of penitence, Gautama showed mercy. With the power, we had to vision future events , he predicted that she should be released from the punishment ,only when Lord Rama set His foot in that hermitage. The presumed interpretation came true, when Rama enters the place. The disused hermitage got life and got back into use. Ahalya till then consigned to a state of living death, springs into new life with a sparkling bright ring around head in astonishing brilliance. It was told as "Touch of such a great soul's feet redeem all sins", as Lord Rama touched the stone with his feet and Ahalya got freed.
Principle behind
The episode of Ahalya has underlined the necessity of women liberation, ages ago. We may agree to Ahalya as she did not know that it was not Gautam and she should not be blamed for that. But as Sage Gautam understood it and he cursed Ahalya was because he felt materialistic desires is considered as a setback to one's spiritual life.So Gautama, asked Ahalya to do stern penance in rectitude so that she can come out of her desires. Also, it was told that Indra represents only our five Indriya and Mind. Here adultery means mind and Indriya took control of Ahalya. It is observed that When materialistic desires cause action , spiritual power becomes weak. So Gautma advised her to do more penance for her recovery only . she became a stone says that she took all the Indriyas inside her such that she became as inert as a stone. As in Gita, "Na Prahrsyet priyam prapya nodvijet prapya capriyam ( never rejoices upon achieving something pleasant, nor laments upon obtaining something unpleasant(5.21)), Sthit-pragya has all its Indriyas in control of oneself. One can then see how mind plays all the tricks in making you believe all that it wants. Ahalya was doing such penance for quite a long time. Ahalyas have full confidence that their Ram will come. By the touch of him, Ahalya realized that she has become pure and then she left to meet sage Gautam .
Morals
In Adhyatama Ramayanam,Ahalya cursed by her husband Sage gOuthaMa tO BecOMe a stONe, gOt BacK her fOrM wheN LOrd raMa’s feet touched her.She praises Lord Rama as Aho vichithram, thava rama cheshtitham, Manushyabhavena, vimohitham Jagath,
Your actions are strange Rama,For you attract the world in a human form,And the world is made to believe in it. Many episodes interspersed in Ramayana and other epics and other sacred literature may appear to be set out of context. But actually they are all worthy, spelling out many morals. They are sure to serve to guide us or warn us not to fall into a trap and get caught in dangerous situations. It will be an a alert for us as such episodes may be found related to lapse in moral behaviour. The morals in this episode of Anasuya are as follows.
1.Punishment and sorrow for sins make one, free from consequences of any kind of worst sins even.
2.All evil thoughts should be totally buried ,and we should stop condemning others for their mistakes .
3. The present need for everyone is to guard ourselves without performing any evil and sinful activities.
4. There need be no too much of pride over one's beauty ,talent, wealth, wisdom, status as God's gift.
5. The best of us have need for equal vigilance. if we would escape sin.
6. Great hope to secure His grace if only we hold on to the feet of the Lord .
and to offer our total surrender to the Lord.
7. Our sins and taints in our souls will be wiped out by our appealing to the mercy of the Lord who will pardon our misdeeds.
Palasruthi
The episode of Ahalya has underlined the necessity of women liberation, ages ago. Because she shunned selfish motives and chose the path of of sacrifice for the coming generation. It was also said as gautama expelled Ahalya from his hermitage, and deprived her of her prerogative of being the most beautiful woman in the world, he rendered her invisible and she was restored to her natural state by Rama and reconciled to.her husband.In Ahalya Krutha RamaStotram it was told as Ahalya krutham, sthothram, ya padeth bhakthi samyutha, Samuchyathe akhilai papai para brahmadhi gachathi
He who reads with devotion,This prayer composed by Ahalya,Would get rid of all his sins, And reach the position of ultimate Brahmam.In line with that we allso can feel that we will be free from all sins hereafter.Andal also in Tiruppavai Satrumurai pasuram says as "Matrai nam Kamangal matru" is only keeping in her mind on the episode of Ahalya.
Let us discuss about Trijadai in next Women in Epics.
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