Shloka 1.49.19
अहल्याशापमोक्षः — The Release of Ahalya and Indra’s Restoration
पुष्पवृष्टिर्महत्यासीद्देवदुन्दुभिनिस्वनै:।गन्धर्वाप्सरसां चैव महानासीत्समागम:।।।।
tasmāt suravarāḥ sarve saṛṣi-saṅghāḥ sa-cāraṇāḥ |
sura-sāhyakaraṃ sarve saphalaṃ kartum arhatha ||
“Therefore, O best of the gods—along with the companies of seers and the Cāraṇas—since I acted for the gods’ benefit, you all should see to it that I am made whole again.”
Amidst sounds of celestial kettle-drums, devatas showered flowers, gandharvas sang and apsarasa danced. There was a great assemblage (of divinities).
The verse raises the dharmic question of restitution and responsibility: even if one claims a public purpose, adharma cannot be excused, and ‘deserving’ compensation is ethically contested.
After suffering the curse’s consequence, Indra urges the assembled divine and semi-divine beings to restore him, arguing that his act was for the gods’ cause.
The implied virtue is discernment (viveka) in leadership—whether a community should reward actions that violate righteousness, even if framed as beneficial.