Shloka 1.49.21
अहल्याशापमोक्षः — The Release of Ahalya and Indra’s Restoration
गौतमोऽपि महातेजा अहल्यासहितस्सुखी।रामं सम्पूज्य विधिवत्तपस्तेपे महातपा:।।।।
smarantī gautama-vacaḥ pratijagrāha sā ca tau || 1.49.17 ||
pādyam arghyaṃ tathā ātithyaṃ cakāra su-samāhitā |
pratijagrāha kākutstho vidhi-dṛṣṭena karmaṇā || 1.49.18 ||
Remembering Gautama’s words, she welcomed them with honor—offering foot-water, arghya, and hospitality with full attentiveness; and Kakutstha (Rama) received it through acts sanctioned by tradition.
Brilliant Gautam, the great ascetic, along with Ahalya, worshipped Rama according to tradition, with delight and continued with his austerities.
Hospitality as dharma: right conduct is expressed through respectful reception and adherence to established rites, performed with inner steadiness and truthfulness of intent.
The narration reiterates Ahalya’s formal welcome of Rama and Lakshmana and Rama’s acceptance according to customary procedure.
Composure and reverence (in Ahalya) and disciplined adherence to maryādā (in Rama).