Shloka 1.48.21

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

Devanagari script

अथाब्रवीत् नरश्रेष्ठ कृतार्थेनान्तरात्मना।1.48.20।।कृतार्थाऽस्मि सुरश्रेष्ठ गच्छ शीघ्रमित: प्रभो।आत्मानं मां च देवेश सर्वदा रक्ष गौतमात्।1.48.21।।

Transliteration

athābravīt naraśreṣṭha kṛtārthenāntarātmanā | 1.48.20 ||

kṛtārthā ’smi suraśreṣṭha gaccha śīghram itaḥ prabho |

ātmānaṃ māṃ ca deveśa sarvadā rakṣa gautamāt | 1.48.21 ||

Translation

Then, her heart’s desire fulfilled within, she said: “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 the celestials 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?

The verse underscores the instability created by adharma: instead of truth and accountability (satya), the characters anticipate concealment and fear, which dharma literature treats as the natural fruit of wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

This is a repeated/overlapping numbering presentation of the same utterance: Ahalyā urges Indra to depart quickly and beware Gautama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A cautionary emphasis: the absence of self-restraint and truthfulness leads to fear and urgency.