AhAlyA’s TolerAnce Ahalya was born from the mind of Lord Brahma who molds her "with great effort out of pure creative energy".[ Brahma declares that the first being to go around the three worlds (heaven, earth and the underworld) will win Ahalya. Indra uses his magical powers to complete the challenge, finally reaching Brahma and demanding the hand of Ahalya. However, the divine sage Narada tells Brahma that Gautama went around the three worlds before Indra. Narada explains that Gautama circumambulated the wish- bearing cow Surabhi while she gave birth, as part of his daily puja (ritual offering), making the cow equal to three worlds according to the Vedas. Brahma agrees and Ahalya marries Gautama, leaving Indra envious and infuriated. Rishi Gautama once went to take bath in the river Ganges early morning. The king of the Devas,Indra, was fascinated with Gautama's wife, Ahalya. Indra cheated Ahalya by disguising as her husband Gautama because he wanted to enjoy with her. Ahalya could not understand that the man in front of her was not her husband but Indra disguised as him. So she made the mistake of treating him as her husband .As Indra was leaving, he was caught by Rishi Gautama who was returning to the Ashrama from his bath who could understand everything by his meditation. Gautam cursed Ahalya and Indra both for this act. Ahalya was converted to stone, while Indra was cursed with one thousands of rebirths and other curses. Later, taking pity on both, Gautama converted both these curses to boons. Indra's various cycles of births (yonis) were reduced to one, and he came to be known as Sahasrāksha. As for Ahalya, Gautama granted her the boon that she would be brought back to human form by the touch of the feet of Lord Rama (Lord Vishnu) and would reunite with him. Ahalya is redeemed from her curse when Rama enters their hermitage. Vishvamitra while continuing the narration of the legend of Ahalya asks Rama to enter her hermitage where Ahalya is living as a stone unseen by anybody. When once Rama steps into that hermitage she manifests herself from her accursed invisible state. Recalling Maharshi Gautam's words, Ahalya receives the princes with great affection. Ram accepted her hospitality wholeheartedly. With her powers of meditation Ahalya regained her true appearance. She was reunited with Maharishi Gautam with the intervention of Rama. The lesson we can learn from the story is When instead of your consciousness your mind runs you, materialistic desires can haunt you anytime. Once our spiritual power becomes weak, any person feels the attraction of materialistic pleasures to be greater that spiritual joy. One gets carried away with it and it requires more spiritual practice to come back to same stage. Thus, Gautma muni advised her to do more spiritual practice by way of cursing her to become a stone.

Assignment 1. Ahalya was cursed for no mistake on her part. Name 3 feelings each she would have felt in each of the following situations: a. When she was unfairly cursed by her husband to whom she dedicated her life in service?

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b. When she found out that she had been cheated by Indra?

2. Did the curse become a benediction for Ahalya since she got the dust of the Lotus Feet of Lord Rama on her head or was it still something that should not have happened?

3. How do you see difficult situations in life? Do you see them as the Lord’s Will or do you think you need to fight it out and argue?

4. If you are asked to go through a difficult situation peacefully without getting angry on the person who is putting you in difficulty , would you be able to do it? Explain your answer ?

5. Name two qualities that are of absolute importance in going through difficulties.

6. Where do you think Ahalya got her strength from to follow dharma inspite of being in a terrible situation of life

Group Skit: 1. Present a skit with your group in showing the different scenes in this pastime, especially showcasing Ahalya’s feelings (from answer 1) and qualities (from answer 5) through your skit and narration. 2. Present a summary of your answers to these questions to the audience. 3. Also present a moral for your audience based on answers to questions 2,3,4,5 and 6.

Blossom Home Science Camp 2015 www.bhaktiwomen.org

Blossom Home Science Camp 2015 www.bhaktiwomen.org