Ahalya being freed from curse by Lord Rama's presence/touch - Ramayana account
Yesterday, in Kamala Subramaniam's Ramayana, I read the part of Ahalya being freed from her curse by Lord Rama. In this book/version, Lord Rama enters the ashram and that releases Ahalya from her husband Sage Gautama's curse. There is no mention of a stone which Rama touches (with his feet) resulting in Ahalya emerging from it. I also looked at Valmiki Ramayan shlokas on the net here: https://www.valmikiramayan.net/. That too does not mention such a stone.
The wiki page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahalya, tells us that some scriptural accounts (Ahalya's story is in Brahmanas, Ramayana, Puranas etc.) have the stone version whereas some don't.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's account in Rama Katha Rasa Vahini, http://www.sssbpt.info/vahinis/RamakathaI/Ramakatha1-07.pdf states, 'Until that moment, Ahalya was immersed in austerity; she was far away from the eyes of gods, demons, and men; she had forgotten her name and lost her form; she had no concern with food and sleep; she was merely existing as a piece of rock! She appeared like the moon’s orb, well hidden by clouds, or like the sacrificial fire, covered by thick curtains of smoke. As Rama neared her, his foot touched her.'
So Bhagavan mentions the stone/rock and Rama's foot touching her. Then Bhagavan writes: 'Ahalya raised her head and, seeing Rama’s divinely charming form, held his feet, exclaiming in ecstasy, “Ah! I am saved. O God come to save me from sin! Your heart is moved at last.” She poured out her gratitude in many hymns of praise. She rose, like the moon from behind the clouds, effulgent and fresh. At that moment Gautama, too, who was a master of the mysteries of yoga, appeared before them, for he knew that Rama had come and rescued his wife. He accepted her, purified by rigorous austerity and blessed by Rama. Both husband and wife fell at the feet of Rama and Lakshmana, who were overwhelmed by the spiritual bliss (ananda) they had. Gautama offered reverence and homage to Viswamitra.'
Thought of sharing this info. with readers.
But I think in all accounts, the big spiritual event is her being freed from the curse by Lord Rama (16 year old warrior-prince lad then), and this being foretold by her husband Gautama at the time he curses her for an act of real/perceived infidelity/seduction/trickery by/involving Lord Indra.
[I thank sssbpt.info and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above small extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
The wiki page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahalya, tells us that some scriptural accounts (Ahalya's story is in Brahmanas, Ramayana, Puranas etc.) have the stone version whereas some don't.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's account in Rama Katha Rasa Vahini, http://www.sssbpt.info/vahinis/RamakathaI/Ramakatha1-07.pdf states, 'Until that moment, Ahalya was immersed in austerity; she was far away from the eyes of gods, demons, and men; she had forgotten her name and lost her form; she had no concern with food and sleep; she was merely existing as a piece of rock! She appeared like the moon’s orb, well hidden by clouds, or like the sacrificial fire, covered by thick curtains of smoke. As Rama neared her, his foot touched her.'
So Bhagavan mentions the stone/rock and Rama's foot touching her. Then Bhagavan writes: 'Ahalya raised her head and, seeing Rama’s divinely charming form, held his feet, exclaiming in ecstasy, “Ah! I am saved. O God come to save me from sin! Your heart is moved at last.” She poured out her gratitude in many hymns of praise. She rose, like the moon from behind the clouds, effulgent and fresh. At that moment Gautama, too, who was a master of the mysteries of yoga, appeared before them, for he knew that Rama had come and rescued his wife. He accepted her, purified by rigorous austerity and blessed by Rama. Both husband and wife fell at the feet of Rama and Lakshmana, who were overwhelmed by the spiritual bliss (ananda) they had. Gautama offered reverence and homage to Viswamitra.'
Thought of sharing this info. with readers.
But I think in all accounts, the big spiritual event is her being freed from the curse by Lord Rama (16 year old warrior-prince lad then), and this being foretold by her husband Gautama at the time he curses her for an act of real/perceived infidelity/seduction/trickery by/involving Lord Indra.
[I thank sssbpt.info and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above small extract(s) from their website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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