Character
Ahalya: FAQ & Sources
अहल्याWife of sage Gautama; freed from a curse by Rama; first of the Panchakanya. Also called Panchakanya (first of five), wife of Gautama, the blameless.
Ahalya, wife of the sage Gautama, was deceived by Indra in Gautama's form and cursed by her husband to lie unseen, often said to be turned to stone. The curse ended when Rama passed her hermitage on his way to Mithila and freed her. She is honoured as the first of the Panchakanya.
RoleWife of sage Gautama; freed from a curse by Rama; first of the Panchakanya
AllegianceHermitage of the sage Gautama
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ahalya?
Ahalya was the wife of the sage Gautama, created by Brahma as the most beautiful of women and later freed from a curse by Rama.
Why was Ahalya cursed?
Indra deceived her by taking the form of her husband Gautama, who in anger cursed her to lie unseen, often described as being turned to stone.
How was Ahalya freed?
Her curse was to end when Rama arrived; the dust of Rama's feet restored her when he passed her hermitage on the way to Mithila.
Was Ahalya turned to stone?
In the best-known tellings yes; other versions say she became invisible or lived on air, the details differing between texts.
Why is Ahalya one of the Panchakanya?
She heads the five revered women, Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara and Mandodari, whose names are chanted to dispel sin.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (the curse and liberation)
- Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas
- Panchakanya stuti (traditional verse)
Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.