The law of karma is equally applicable to all beings, mortal and celestial alike, and the ideal to be aimed is to keep away from sinning in thought, word and deed. The episode of Ahalya shows how every jivatma is bound by the law that places a price for deviating from the path of righteousness, pointed out Sri B. Damodhara Dikshitar in a discourse. It also shows how redemption from the consequences of sin can be gained by sincere feelings of regret and remorse and by undergoing punishment.
When Vishwamitra, Rama and Lakshmana enter Siddhashrama, Rama senses the vibrations and sacredness of the place. Vishwamitra tells them the story of Gautama and Ahalya who had led a life of penance and peace in the ashram many years ago. But it is spoiled because Ahalya gives in to sin when Indra, desirous of her, comes to the ashram in the guise of Gautama. Ahalya errs, though she guesses the truth by the dint of her penance.
When Gautama returns he realises that Ahalya is no longer fit to perform the duties of a rishi patni. The sage weighs her life of devoted service to his penance against the fault she has committed and prescribes a curse as punishment along with deliverance from it. Henceforth she would remain unseen in this ashram and live on air, until such time when Rama would come and free her from this curse.
As Rama sets foot in the ashram, Ahalya stands before them in all her beauty. Gautama also arrives and accepts Ahalya who is purified of the guilt in her heart. Rama falls at her feet and worships her as He would His own mother. This gesture that reveals His Saulabhya overwhelms not only Ahalya but all. For is He not the very Lord who grants succour to all who seek His feet?
