Tales froM Indian Mythology

SR No.: 006950
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: A S Raman
Publisher: Kutub Popular
Publication Year: 1961
Total Pages: 166
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 135

Indra and Abalya
99
must lose you. But I am not sorry. I am not concerned with the circumstances under which you violated the sanctity of our marriage. Perhaps you have been the victim of a wicked conspiracy in the Kingdom of the Gods. But you have to suffer the consequences.” Interrupting him, Ahalya cried bitterly, clinging fast to his feet and spoke to him thus between the sobs: "My lord, forgive me. I was not at all a party to what had happened. Do not spurn me. I am still pure and I shall always remain so, because you are enshrined in my heart."
"You want me to forgive you!" replied Gautama. "But my conscience will not forgive me! And what will posterity say if I forgive you! You silly little girl! You do not realize that your conduct does not concern you and me alone; it concerns the Three Worlds. Forgiveness thus is not something that I can dole out for the mere asking of it. I have decided to discard you, like a stinking, soiled garment. Your protestations of purity can only amuse me.” Instantly Ahalya wept all the more piteously, like a just-born baby with none to console it, and clasped his feet passionately as though nothing existed beyond them. Continuing sternly, Gautama declared: "Brahma has bestowed on you feminine charm and comeliness at their finest. But you have abused them. Perhaps it was his intention that you should fall by them. They are too precious and you do not deserve them any longer. I therefore condemn you to rot here in the form of a rock, so that you wreck no more marriages." Before his curse became effective, she implored him desperately to soften it at least, if he could not recall it. He graciously added: "You shall become pure once again when, thousands and thousands of years hence, the Supreme Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of Rama delivers you from my curse.