Shloka 1.48.20

अहल्याशापवर्णनम् (The Account of Ahalyā’s Curse and the Deserted Hermitage near Mithilā)

Devanagari script

अथाब्रवीत् नरश्रेष्ठ कृतार्थेनान्तरात्मना।।।कृतार्थाऽस्मि सुरश्रेष्ठ गच्छ शीघ्रमित: प्रभो।आत्मानं मां च देवेश सर्वदा रक्ष गौतमात्।।।

Transliteration

athābravīt naraśreṣṭha kṛtārthenāntarātmanā |

kṛtārthā ’smi suraśreṣṭha gaccha śīghram itaḥ prabho |

ātmānaṃ māṃ ca deveśa sarvadā rakṣa gautamāt ||

Translation

Then, her heart’s desire fulfilled within, she spoke: “O best of the gods, I am satisfied. Go quickly from here, O Lord. O ruler of the gods, ever protect yourself—and me as well—from Gautama.”

Context

O Foremost of men! with her heart's desire fulfilled, Ahalya said: "O Chief of thecelestials! I'm satisfied. O Lord, quit this place: O Lord of cthe gods, protect yourself and also me from Gautama in all respects."

Characters & Entities

• Ahalya
• Indra
• Gautama

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Actions have consequences under dharma: wrongdoing produces fear and the need to evade accountability, contrasting with the Ramayana’s ideal of truthful, responsible conduct (satya and dharma).

What is the narrative situation?

After Indra’s illicit union with Ahalyā, she urges him to leave quickly and warns him to guard against Gautama’s return and anger.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but moral tension: the verse highlights anxiety after adharma, showing how transgression destabilizes peace of mind.