Shloka 1.48.2
अहल्याशापवर्णनम् (The Account of Ahalyā’s Curse and the Deserted Hermitage near Mithilā)
इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ।गजसिंहगती वीरौ शार्दूलवृषभोपमौ।।।।पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षौ खड्गतूणी धनुर्धरौ।अश्विनाविव रूपेण समुपस्थितयौवनौ।।।।यदृच्छयैव गां प्राप्तौ देवलोकादिवामरौ।कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।।।।
imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulyaparākramau |
gajasiṃhagatī vīrau śārdūlavṛṣabhopamau ||
padmapatraviśālākṣau khaḍgatūṇī dhanurdharau |
aśvināv iva rūpeṇa samupasthitayauvanau ||
yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau devalokād ivāmarau |
kathaṃ padbhyām iha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune ||
Blessings to you, O sage. Who are these two youths, whose prowess is like that of the gods? They move with the gait of an elephant or a lion—heroic, resembling a tiger or a bull. Their eyes are wide like lotus petals; they bear swords, quivers, and bows. In beauty they are like the Aśvins, newly arrived at youth, as though immortals come down from heaven. How have they come here on foot, O sage—whose sons are they, and for what purpose?
"O Sage, wish you well! Who are these two youths who seem to possess the prowess of celestial beings. They walk with the gait of an elephant or a lion. They are courageous like tiger or a bull. Their large eyes are like lotus-petals. They are armed with scimitars, bows and quivers. They are young and handsome like Aswinikumaras dropped from heaven casually. Whose sons are they? How did they come here on foot? With what purpose?
Dharma here is expressed as reverent speech and discerning recognition of virtue: Ahalyā greets the sage properly and acknowledges noble qualities without envy or hostility, modeling respectful inquiry.
After Ahalyā’s release from her curse, she beholds Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with Viśvāmitra and asks the sage who these extraordinary youths are and why they have come.
Ahalyā’s humility and clarity: she offers blessings, speaks courteously, and seeks truthful identification and purpose rather than making assumptions.