Shloka 1.48.22

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

Devanagari script

इन्द्रस्तु प्रहसन् वाक्यमहल्यामिदमब्रवीत्।सुश्रोणि परितुष्टोऽस्मि गमिष्यामि यथाऽगतम्।।।

Transliteration

indras tu prahasan vākyam ahalyām idam abravīt |

suśroṇi parituṣṭo ’smi gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam ||

Translation

Indra, smiling, said to Ahalyā: “O fair-hipped one, I am gratified; I shall depart by the very way I came.”

Context

Indra smilingly said to Ahalya, 'O! One with lovely hips, I am gratified. I shall go away the way I have come'.

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Ahalya

FAQs

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

The verse highlights moral contrast: outward pleasure and ease can accompany inner adharma, but dharma ultimately demands truthfulness and restraint, which are absent in Indra’s conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

After the illicit act, Indra assures Ahalyā he is satisfied and will leave stealthily by the same path he entered.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negative exemplum: Indra’s lack of self-restraint and reliance on concealment rather than satya.