Summary
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 unseen by anybody. When once Rama steps into that hermitage she manifests herself from her accursed [being under a curse] invisible state. She emerges with her divine form and accords guest-ship to Rama and Lakshmana. Sage Gautama also arrives at this juncture to accept his depurated wife Ahalya.
Chapter [Sarga] 49 in Detail
The emasculated [weakened] Indra then with panicked eyes spoke to Gods, Siddha-s, Gandharva-s, and carana-s, keeping Fire-God as their helms-God. [1-49-1]
I have Indeed incited [urged] fury in that noble-souled Sage Gautama by effectuating hindrance in his asceticism, but I have accomplished a task of Gods. [1-49-2]
By Gautama's anger I am rendered testicle-less and his wife Ahalya is also rejected by the sage, and thus by his releasing a severe curse his propriety [true nature] for asceticism [practicing strict self-denial] is dwindled [destroyed], therefore his asceticism is pre-empted by me. [1-49-3]
‘Therefore, oh, all Gods with the assemblages of sages and Caarana-s, it will be apt of you to make me virile [energetic] again, as I have acted for the benefit of Gods.' Thus Indra spoke to all Gods. [1-49-4]
On hearing the words of the officiator for Hundred-Vedic-rituals, namely Indra, all of the Gods and other assemblages of celestials, together with the groups of Marut-Gods came to the Godly manes [spirit of a dead person] keeping the Fire-God in van [front], and appealed. [1-49-5]
‘This ram is with testicles and Indra is indeed rendered testicle-less. Taking the testicles of this ram they may be given to Indra quickly.' Thus Fire-God started his appeal to manes. [1-49-6]
‘This ram [a male sheep] that is being offered to you shall now be gelded [castrated] to give its testes to Indra, and though this ram [a male sheep] is deprived of its organ it will be complete and it endows complete satisfaction to you. To those humans who hereafter offer testes-less rams [a male sheep] in sacrifices for the purpose of your gratification, you shall truly offer them plentiful and unmitigated benefits.' Thus Agni, the Fire-God spoke to manes [spirit of a dead person or forefathers]. [1-49-7]
On hearing the words of Agni, the Fire-God, the manes-Gods who gathered to collect their share of offering have extricated [remove] that ram's [a male sheep] testes, which is not yet sacrificed but tethered [to fasten] to a sacrificial post, and offered them to the Thousand-eyed Indra. [1-49-8]
Oh, Rama of Kakutstha, from then onwards the manes-Gods who come to collect their share are enjoying even the goats, even if they do not have testes, to endow benefits thereof to those that offer those goats, and to join the testes of goats to Indra. [1-49-9]
Oh, Raghava, owing to the efficacy of the great-souled Gautama and his asceticism, from then onwards Indra has became one with the testes of a goat. [1-49-10]
Therefore, oh, great-resplendent Rama, enter the hermitage of Gautama whose deeds are pietistic [of or relating to religious devotion], and atone [to supply satisfaction for] Ahalya who is highly fortunate and who is in the compose of a divinity. Thus Vishvamitra spoke to Rama. [1-49-11]
On hearing Vishvamitra's words Rama entered the hermitage along with Lakshmana and keeping Vishvamitra afore [before]. [1-49-12]
She whose splendor is brightened by her asceticism, at whom it is impossible to raise an eye for a stare either for Gods, or for demons, or for the worldly beings on coming close to her, whom the Creator has contrived [labored] with careful contemplation [intention] as an angelic [a person like an angel] and a completely phantasmal [a product of fantasy] entity, who is like the befogged and beclouded moonshine of a full moon as she is hitherto [up to this time] enshrouded [to cover or enclosed with] by the dried up leaves and dust, who is like an unwatchable sunshine mirrored in and glowing from the midst of water, for she is hitherto in the midst of denounce, and whose limbs are like the tongues of a flaring fire around which fumes are cloaking, as she is hitherto practicing an utmost asceticism [practicing strict self-denial] subsisting on air alone, which asceticism alone made her like a flaring Ritual Fire, and Rama has seen such a highly glorious Ahalya. [1-49-13, 14, 15]
Ahalya is indeed indiscernible [not recognizable] to all the three worlds by the very word of Gautama until the manifestation of Rama. [1-49-16a, b]
On reaching the end of curse she came into the view of Raghava-s, and they too gladly touched her feet in reverence. [1-49-16c, 17a]
Reminiscing [remembering] Gautama's words Ahalya received those two, and self-consciously offered water for feet and hand washing, and like that she also offered guest-ship customarily and dutifully, and Rama of Kakutstha on his part acquiesced [accepted] her hospitality. [1-49-18]
There chanced an abundant floral fall form firmament [heavens] to the drumbeats of God's drums, and the celestials like Gandharva-s, Apsara-s reveled [to take intense pleasure or satisfaction] in a splendid festivity that is superb. [1-49-19]
Gods have collectively reverenced her, whose limbs are depurated [to become free from impurities] by the asset of her asceticism which is performed as a devotee of Gautama remaining in his directives, saying 'Gracious! Goodness!' [1-49-20]
Even that great-resplendent Gautama is heartened when he reunited with Ahalya after a long, long time, and that sage customarily reverenced Rama for actualizing his solemn utterance, and that great-ascetic Gautama continued his asceticism together with Ahalya. [1-49-21]
Even Rama on receiving a conventionally high veneration in the manifest-ness of that great-saint Gautama himself, then moved ahead to Mithila. [1-49-22]
Thus, this is the 49th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate
