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Indra and Ahalya She at once remembered the fears expressed by Gautama a little while ago. She could not guess what trouble lay ahead of her. What could it be? It could be anything because of her looks. But she would face it bravely, she decided. She rushed to the river and invoked the blessings of the five elements by chanting mantras.
By the time she returned to the ashram, Gautama had set the sacrificial altar to be lit by Ahalya. But, to his surprise, she hesitated to do so. "What is the matter with you? I cannot begin my oblations unless you light the homam."
"But, my lord, my right eye is still throbbing. How can I taint the sacrificial altar by touching it?"
"You taint nothing, Ahalya. Everything, even fire, becomes purer at your touch."
"No, you must forgive me today. I do not feel worthy of you. Now it seems to be my turn to hug all sorts of fears and anxieties. Perhaps they are imaginary. But I need a rest. May I relax for a little while? I am ashamed of not being able to assist you in your sacred duties this morning. I feel the earth is slipping from under my feet. I have never had such a feeling before, never. Perhaps I shall be all right if I lie down for some time.” With the help of Gautama she withdrew herself into the interior of the ashram and collapsed on the hard wooden floor.
The ashram looked like a nuptial chamber that night. Flowers lay strewn in profusion all round. Bathed in the soft, silvery splendour of moonlight, their colour and fragrance seemed irresistible even to the austerest of the ascetics. Birds
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