Shloka 1.48.24

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

Devanagari script

गौतमं तं ददर्शाथ प्रविशन्तं महामुनिम्।देवदानवदुर्धर्षं तपोबलसमन्वितम्।।।।तीर्थेंदकपरिक्लिन्नं दीप्यमानमिवानलम्।गृहीतसमिधं तत्र सकुशं मुनिपुङ्गवम्।।।।

Transliteration

gautamaṃ taṃ dadarśātha praviśantaṃ mahāmunim |

devadānavadurdharṣaṃ tapobalasamanvitam ||

tīrthodakapariklinnaṃ dīpyamānam ivānalam |

gṛhītasamidhaṃ tatra sakuśaṃ munipuṅgavam ||

Translation

Then he saw the great sage Gautama entering—unassailable even to gods and dānavas, endowed with the power of austerity. Drenched with the sacred bathing-water of the tīrtha, he blazed like fire, bearing fuel-sticks and kuśa-grass, that foremost of ascetics.

Context

Subsequently, Indra beheld the great ascetic Gautama, unassailable by devatas and danavas, endowed with the power of ascetism, drenched with sacrifical waters, shining like flaming fire, carrying sacrificial firewood and Kusha grass and pre-eminent among sages, entering that leaf- hut.

Characters & Entities

• Gautama
• Indra
• Devas
• Dānavas
• Tīrtha-udaka (sacred water)
• Samidh (fuel-sticks)
• Kuśa grass
• Uṭaja (leaf-hut)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld by tapas and rishi-authority: the sage’s disciplined life grants moral and spiritual power that protects social order and punishes deception.

What is the narrative situation?

Indra sees Gautama returning to the hut, radiant from ritual observances and carrying sacrificial materials.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gautama’s austerity (tapas), purity, and disciplined conduct—sources of spiritual authority in the epic.