Panchakanya ✅

Ahalya

Ahalya means "one without the reprehension of ugliness" or "one with an impeccable beauty". This was explained by Lord Brahma in Uttara Khanda of Ramayana while telling Indra how he created Ahalya by taking the special beauty of all creation and expressing it in every part of her body. Ahalya is the most beautiful women ever anyone can see.

Ahalya was given to Sage Gautama to take care of her until she reaches to puberty. Sage Gautama sent her to Lord Brahma when the time arrives. Lord Brahma was impressed by Gautama's sexual restraint and asceticism.

Lord Brahma said that, Ahalya will be married to the one who goes to the three world and returns first. Lord Indra was in love with Ahalya. So, he uses his power to complete the that task. But, Brahma Putra Narada, informed his father that Sage Gautama is the one who completed the task first. So Ahalya was married to Sage Gautama. She settled at 'Mithila Upavana', a hermitage of Sage Gautama near Mithila.

Ahalya was a good wife to Gautama. She always fulfill are the needs of Gautama. She worship him all the time. Indra felt ashamed that he couldn't win Ahalya. So, he tricked Ahalya.

Once, when Sage Gautama went to the the river for ritual bath, Indra came to Gautama's sage to have sex with Ahalya. Lord Indra transfer his form to Gautama's form. Now He became the imposter of Sage Gautama.

He went into the hermitage and requested to Ahalya to have sex with him. At first, Ahalya refused, but later she get to know that fulfilling her husband's wish is her duty. So, she cooperated with Indra.

When Gautama returns to his hermitage, he founded Indra tricked Ahalya and had relation with his wife. Gautama was very angry and furious. He cursed Ahalya to become a statue for her allowing Indra into the hermitage.

Then, Gautama realized that, didn't make any mistake. He then, said,a Purushottam from Ikshvaku dynasty will come to release Ahalya. When he touch Ahalya, she will be as usual. 

Many years past, but Ahalya was not released.

In Ramayana, during Lord Rama, Lakshmana & Sage Vishwamitra are on the way to Mithila, to devote Shiva Dhanush, Vishwamitra tells the story of Ahalya and her curse to Lord Rama. Immediately, Rama went into the hermitage. He touched the feet of Ahalya. The next minute, she returns to her normal form.

Gautama accepted Ahalya. Her son, Shatananda, the minister of King Janaka, praised Lord Rama for releasing his Mother from the curse.

This is the story of Devi Ahalya. The next chapter is about Devi Kunti from Mahabharatha.