May 15 - Sargas 49 and 50 of Balakanda.
We will get done with Indra's story and Ahalya's release from the curse. Then Vishwamitra, Sri Rama and Lakshmana arrive in the yajna of king Janaka to a rousing reception.
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Indra, shorn of his testicles, went to the gods and manes (these are demi-gods promoted from human ancestors holding a high position in heaven) and appealed to all of them that his original intention was not born of lust but the recurring action plan to prevent anyone, in this instance, Rishi Gautama, from attaining superpowers through penance. Indra by his misdeed did succeed in disturbing Gautama, and making him lose a lot of accumulated tapas power by manifesting anger and cursing Indra and Ahalya. But Indra had in the process been castrated. So the gods should help him by restoring his manhood.
Agni recommended that the sacrificial goat's testicles be transplanted to Indra. This was done successfully. Apparently since then this is the practice- that sacrificial goats are offered castrated; and apparently this confers merit on those doing the sacrifice.
Having narrated the story, now Vishwamitra said the moment had come for Ahalya's emancipation. So Sri Rama and Lakshmana entered the hermitage. Lo and behold! At once Ahalya emerged from her thousand-year tapas and was freed from her curse. They all saw how she was extraordinarily beautiful and shone like the moon amidst clouds. Valmiki says she seemed to have been specially created by Brahma in a moment of great inspiration.
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शापस्यान्तमुपागम्य तेषां दर्शनमागता ।
राघवौ तु ततस्तस्याः पादौ जगृहतुस्तदा ॥
स्मरन्ती गौतमवचः प्रतिजग्राह सा च तौ ।
पाद्यमर्घ्यं तथातिथ्यं चकार सुसमाहिता ॥
Ahalya was liberated from her curse and became visible to them.
Sri Rama and Lakshmana reverentially bowed to her.
Ahalya at once remembered Gautama's words and recognized them. She also worshipped them and offered all hospitality.
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The celestials celebrated the occasion and paid their respects to Ahalya who had been a part of this drama. Sage Gautama recognized the turn of events and returned to the ashrama and exchanged mutual respects with Sri Rama and happily accepted Ahalya.
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Sage Vishwamitra, his entourage of sages, and Sri Rama and Lakshmana then entered Mithila, the capital of king Janaka. They encamped at a suitable spot in the wood near water. King Janaka was overjoyed to hear of sage Vishwamitra's arrival and went and received him with great ceremony. He took them all to the yajna mandapa (the sacred hall of the yajna) and requested sage Vishwamitra to occupy the highest seat for the continuance of yajna. After the sage took his seat, the king and his priests and sage Shatananda (his preceptor - much like sage Vasishtha was for Dasharatha) took their seats. King Janaka informed sage Vishwamitra that the entire yajna had become sanctified by his presence and after completing the remaining 12 days of yajna as was due, the sage should kindly be present when all the gods would come down to accept the final oblation (called Purnahuti). The sage smiled and accepted the request.
Then king Janaka turned his gaze to the two princes.
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पुनस्तं परिपप्रच्छ प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो नृपः।
इमौ कुमारौ भद्रं ते देवतुल्यपराक्रमौ ॥
कथं पद्भ्यामिह प्राप्तौ किमर्थं कस्य वा मुने।
वरायुधधरौ वीरौ कस्य पुत्रौ महामुने ॥
Then the king bowed down most respectfully to sage Vishwamitra and enquired: "Respected sage, who are these two princes, with obvious godly valour? How come they have come here on foot, for whose mission and what purpose? They are carrying glorious weapons too. Whose children are these, oh noble sage!? " Valmiki also describes in Janaka's words their divine beauty.
Sage Vishwamitra was very happy to reply.
न्यवेदयदमेयात्मा पुत्रौ दशरथस्य तौ ।
सिद्धाश्रमनिवासं च राक्षसानां वधं तथा ॥
तच्चागमनमव्यग्रं विशालायाश्च दर्शनम् ।
अहल्यादर्शनं चैव गौतमेन समागमम् ॥
महाधनुषि जिज्ञासां कर्तुमागमनं तथा ।
एतत् सर्वं महातेजा जनकाय महातमने ॥
The most brilliant sage Vishwamitra replied to the high-souled Janaka: "These are the sons of Dasharatha, and he had sent them with me to Siddhashrama for the protection of my yajna and destruction of the troublesome rakshasas.
" After the successful accomplishment of their mission, they have happily travelled with me to Vishala. They also went and met=liberated Ahalya and met sage Gautama also (connecting the dots to show who/what Sri Rama was indeed).
" They are interested in examining your great bow being worshipped in this yajna and therefore have come with me for that purpose. "
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
