Valmiki Ramayana 1.49.2: Bala Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 2
अहल्याशापमोक्षः
The Release of Ahalya and Indra’s Restoration
कुर्वता तपसो विघ्नं गौतमस्य महात्मन:।क्रोधमुत्पाद्य हि मया सुरकार्यमिदं कृतम्।।।।
kurvatā tapaso vighnaṃ gautamasya mahātmanaḥ |
krodham utpādya hi mayā surakāryam idaṃ kṛtam ||
மகாத்மா கௌதமரின் தவத்திற்கு இடையூறு செய்து நான் அவருடைய கோபத்தை எழுப்பினேன்; தேவர்களின் காரியமாகவே இதை நான் செய்தேன்.
Recalling the words of Gautama, she received them with water to wash their feet and offerings made with due devotion Rama accepted her hospitality extended in accordance tradition.
FAQs
Dharma emphasizes that ends do not justify unethical means: obstructing a sage’s tapas and provoking wrath is adharma, and the speaker’s attempt to frame it as ‘service’ highlights moral self-deception and the inevitability of consequences.
Indra explains to the gods that he deliberately interfered with Sage Gautama’s austerities, provoking the sage’s anger, claiming it was done for a divine objective.
Indirectly, Gautama’s steadfastness in tapas is emphasized; by contrast, Indra’s lapse shows the need for restraint and truthfulness in action.
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