Ahalya
mythological figure · 2 works · 4 mentions · 7 anchored passages
Ahalyā · illustrious Ahalyā
in the texts
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa
Wife of the sage Gautama, seduced by Indra in disguise, cursed to invisibility, and eventually purified and reunited with her husband through Rāma's visit.
Discerning an opportunity when Gautama was absent, the thousand-eyed Indra, lord of Śacī, disguised in the sage's form, spoke these words to Ahalyā.
the wife [Ahalyā] has been reunited with the sage [Gautama], even as Reṇukā [was reunited] with Bhārgava [Jamadagni].
And the greatly splendid Gautama, that great ascetic, happy with Ahalyā, duly honored Rāma and resumed his austerities.
The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
Figure whose violated chastity by Indra is cited as a cautionary exemplum.
Indra, too, having violated the chastity of Ahalya, was made to suffer for it.
" If the woman listens with a favourable ear, then on the following day the go-between, having observed marks of good spirits in her face, in her eyes, and in her manner of conversation, should again converse with her on the subject of the man, and should tell her the stories of Ahalya and Indra, of Sakoontala and Dushyanti, and such others as may be fitted for the occasion.