Vedic Katha
Turned to stone by the sage Gautama's curse, Ahalya waited ages for release and was freed by the touch of Rama's feet, the Ramayana's tender parable…
As the young Rama and Lakshmana travelled with the sage Vishwamitra, they came upon a lonely, overgrown hermitage where a shape lay still as stone.
The tale, told in several forms, is that Indra, king of the gods, desired Ahalya and came to her in the disguise of her husband Gautama.
Vishwamitra led Rama to the spot and told him Ahalya's story. As Rama's foot touched the stone, Ahalya was restored, her long penance complete, her form and dignity returned.
Ahalya's redemption is the Ramayana's parable of grace: however long and heavy the burden of a past wrong, release comes through the touch of the divine and sincere penance.
Ahalya's redemption is the Ramayana's parable of grace: however long and heavy the burden of a past wrong, release comes through sincere penance and the touch of the divine.
Vedic Katha
The complete story, its characters and sources, on Vedic Katha.