The Ravishing of Ahalya

Verse 1 (padma.1.54.1)

श्रीभगवानुवाच। अद्रोहकस्य चाख्यातो महिमा लोकदुःसहः। एकतल्पगतां वामां क्षांत्वा सर्वजितोऽभवत्

śrībhagavānuvāca adrohakasya cākhyāto mahimā lokaduḥsahaḥ ekatalpagatāṁ vāmāṁ kṣāṁtvā sarvajito'bhavat

Shri Bhagavan said: The glory of the non-injurer, one who bears no malice, has been told — a glory the world can hardly bear. He who forgives even a wife who has gone to another man's bed becomes victorious over all.

Verse 2 (padma.1.54.2)

ज्ञानिनामपिदुःसाध्यं मुनीनां ब्रह्मचारिणां। सुरासुरमनुष्याणां विषमं तत्समं गतः

jñānināmapiduḥsādhyaṁ munīnāṁ brahmacāriṇāṁ surāsuramanuṣyāṇāṁ viṣamaṁ tatsamaṁ gataḥ

Even for the wise, for sages and celibate ascetics, and for gods, demons and men, this is a hard-won thing — yet he who forgives attains it as though it were easy.

Verse 3 (padma.1.54.3)

स्वभावाद्विषमं कामं जेतुं कः पुरुषः क्षमः। अद्रोहकमृते विप्र स एव भवजित्पुमान्

svabhāvādviṣamaṁ kāmaṁ jetuṁ kaḥ puruṣaḥ kṣamaḥ adrohakamṛte vipra sa eva bhavajitpumān

What man, O brahmin, is capable of conquering desire — by nature so unruly — except the one free from malice? He alone is the man who conquers this worldly existence.

Verse 4 (padma.1.54.4)

अहल्याहरणादेव सुरेशस्य भगांकता। पुनर्देव्याः प्रसादाच्च सहस्राक्षेति विश्रुतः

ahalyāharaṇādeva sureśasya bhagāṁkatā punardevyāḥ prasādācca sahasrākṣeti viśrutaḥ

By the ravishing of Ahalya alone, the lord of the gods became marked all over his body with the sign of the vulva; and then, by the goddess's grace, he came to be renowned as Sahasraksha, the Thousand-Eyed.

Verse 5 (padma.1.54.5)

विदितं सर्वलोके च त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे। द्विज उवाच- कथं च देवदेवस्य अहल्याहरणं प्रभो

viditaṁ sarvaloke ca trailokye sacarācare dvija uvāca- kathaṁ ca devadevasya ahalyāharaṇaṁ prabho

This is known throughout every world, in the three worlds, among all that moves and moves not. The brahmin said: But how, O lord, did the ravishing of Ahalya come about at the hands of the god of gods?

Verse 6 (padma.1.54.6)

भगांकत्वं च संप्राप सहस्राक्षः सुराधिपः। न गां कोपि भगांकत्वं संप्राप्तस्सुरराट्कथम्

bhagāṁkatvaṁ ca saṁprāpa sahasrākṣaḥ surādhipaḥ na gāṁ kopi bhagāṁkatvaṁ saṁprāptassurarāṭkatham

And how did Sahasraksha, the lord of the gods, come to acquire this vulva-marked body? No other has ever attained such a state — how did the king of the gods come to bear it?

Verse 7 (padma.1.54.7)

दुःश्रुतं सुरवैकल्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्वतः। श्रीभगवानुवाच- पुरा स्वांतोद्भवां कन्यां लोकेशश्च महामनाः

duḥśrutaṁ suravaikalyaṁ śrotumicchāmi tatvataḥ śrībhagavānuvāca- purā svāṁtodbhavāṁ kanyāṁ lokeśaśca mahāmanāḥ

This blemish upon the gods is painful to hear of, yet I wish to hear it in full truth. Shri Bhagavan said: Long ago, the great-souled Lord of the Worlds, Brahma, had a daughter born of his own mind.

Verse 8 (padma.1.54.8)

गौतमाय ददौ धाता लोकपालाग्रतो मुदा। ततस्तु लोकपालानां मन्मथाविष्टचेतसाम्

gautamāya dadau dhātā lokapālāgrato mudā tatastu lokapālānāṁ manmathāviṣṭacetasām

The Creator gave her to Gautama in joy, before the assembled guardians of the world. Thereupon the hearts of those world-guardians became overwhelmed by desire.

Verse 9 (padma.1.54.9)

शचीपतेस्तु संमोहो हृदि शल्य इव स्थितः। लोकपालानतिक्रम्य सुवेषा वरवर्णिनी

śacīpatestu saṁmoho hṛdi śalya iva sthitaḥ lokapālānatikramya suveṣā varavarṇinī

But in the heart of Shachi's husband, Indra, that infatuation lodged itself like a dart. He thought: 'This lovely, fair-complexioned woman has been given away, passing over all the guardians of the world—'

Verse 10 (padma.1.54.10)

द्विजाय रत्नभूतैषा दत्ता किंवा करोम्यहम्। इति संचिंत्य तस्यास्तु वर्तमाने च यौवने

dvijāya ratnabhūtaiṣā dattā kiṁvā karomyaham iti saṁciṁtya tasyāstu vartamāne ca yauvane

'—this jewel of a woman has been given away to a mere brahmin — what then am I to do?' Thinking thus, while she still stood in the bloom of her youth—

Verse 11 (padma.1.54.11)

पुनश्च मायया दृष्टं रूपं तस्यास्सुशोभनम्। पुनश्चिन्तयमानोऽसौ गौतमाध्यासनं गतः

punaśca māyayā dṛṣṭaṁ rūpaṁ tasyāssuśobhanam punaścintayamāno'sau gautamādhyāsanaṁ gataḥ

Again and again, through his power of illusion, he beheld her lovely form; and, brooding thus again and again, he resolved to assume the very likeness of Gautama.

Verse 12 (padma.1.54.12)

पश्चात्तु तस्य गमनाद्यद्वृत्तं तच्छृणुष्व मे। एकदा गौतमः स्नातुं गतोऽसौ पुष्करं प्रति

paścāttu tasya gamanādyadvṛttaṁ tacchṛṇuṣva me ekadā gautamaḥ snātuṁ gato'sau puṣkaraṁ prati

Now hear from me what happened after he set out. One day Gautama went to Pushkara to bathe.

Verse 13 (padma.1.54.13)

साध्वी च गृहशौचे च गृहवस्तुनि तत्परा। प्रवृत्ता देववास्तूनां बलिकर्तुं च तत्परा

sādhvī ca gṛhaśauce ca gṛhavastuni tatparā pravṛttā devavāstūnāṁ balikartuṁ ca tatparā

The virtuous Ahalya, absorbed in cleaning the house and attending to household tasks, was busy also with offering the bali-oblation to the household deities.

Verse 14 (padma.1.54.14)

इंधनं वह्निकार्यं च नित्यकर्मानुसंचयम्। एतस्मिन्नंतरे शक्रो मुनेस्तस्य महात्मनः

iṁdhanaṁ vahnikāryaṁ ca nityakarmānusaṁcayam etasminnaṁtare śakro munestasya mahātmanaḥ

Gathering firewood, tending to the fire-rites, and going through her round of daily duties. Meanwhile, Indra, having assumed the very form of that great-souled sage—

Verse 15 (padma.1.54.15)

रूपमास्थाय गात्रेण प्रविवेशोटजं मुदा। पतिव्रता पतिं दृष्ट्वा श्रद्धया परया सती

rūpamāsthāya gātreṇa praviveśoṭajaṁ mudā pativratā patiṁ dṛṣṭvā śraddhayā parayā satī

—having taken on Gautama's very form and body, joyfully entered the hermitage hut. The chaste and devoted wife, seeing him whom she took to be her husband, with the utmost reverence—

Verse 16 (padma.1.54.16)

देवस्थाने च वस्तूनां संचयं कर्तुमुद्यता। ततस्तामब्रवीदार्तो मुनिवेषधरो हरिः

devasthāne ca vastūnāṁ saṁcayaṁ kartumudyatā tatastāmabravīdārto muniveṣadharo hariḥ

—continued gathering the offerings for the household shrine. Then Indra, tormented by desire and disguised as the sage, spoke to her:

Verse 17 (padma.1.54.17)

प्रद्युम्नवशगो वामे देहि मे चुंबनादिकम्। एतस्मिन्नंतरे सा च त्रपायुक्ताऽब्रवीद्वचः

pradyumnavaśago vāme dehi me cuṁbanādikam etasminnaṁtare sā ca trapāyuktā'bravīdvacaḥ

'O fair one, I am overpowered by Kama, the god of love — grant me a kiss and more.' At this, she, filled with shame, replied:

Verse 18 (padma.1.54.18)

देवकार्यादिकं त्यक्त्वा वक्तुं नार्हसि मे प्रभो। सर्वं जानासि धर्मज्ञ पुण्यानां निश्चयं मुने

devakāryādikaṁ tyaktvā vaktuṁ nārhasi me prabho sarvaṁ jānāsi dharmajña puṇyānāṁ niścayaṁ mune

'My lord, it is not proper for you to say such a thing, setting aside your divine duties. You know everything, O knower of righteousness, the sure way of merit itself, O sage.'

Verse 19 (padma.1.54.19)

अयमर्थो हि वेलायामधुनैव न युज्यते। ततस्तां चारुसर्वांगीं दृष्ट्वा मन्मथपीडितः

ayamartho hi velāyāmadhunaiva na yujyate tatastāṁ cārusarvāṁgīṁ dṛṣṭvā manmathapīḍitaḥ

'This is not the proper occasion for such a thing.' Yet seeing her, lovely in every limb, and tormented all the more by desire—

Verse 20 (padma.1.54.20)

अलं प्रियेन वक्तव्यं हृच्छयो मे प्रजायते। कर्तव्यं चाप्यकर्तव्यं पत्युर्वचनसंमतम्

alaṁ priyena vaktavyaṁ hṛcchayo me prajāyate kartavyaṁ cāpyakartavyaṁ patyurvacanasaṁmatam

'Enough of words, my love — desire has arisen in my heart.' Ahalya thought: Whatever ought or ought not to be done is decided by consent to a husband's command—

Verse 21 (padma.1.54.21)

करोति सततं या च सा च नारी पतिव्रता। लंघयेद्या च तस्याज्ञां सुरते च विशेषतः

karoti satataṁ yā ca sā ca nārī pativratā laṁghayedyā ca tasyājñāṁ surate ca viśeṣataḥ

—whoever always acts thus is a true pativrata; but whoever transgresses her husband's command, especially in the act of union—

Verse 22 (padma.1.54.22)

पुण्यं तस्या भवेन्नष्टं दुर्गतिं चाधिगच्छति। साब्रवीद्देववस्तूनि संति देवार्थतो मुने

puṇyaṁ tasyā bhavennaṣṭaṁ durgatiṁ cādhigacchati sābravīddevavastūni saṁti devārthato mune

—loses her merit and falls into an evil state. So thinking it was indeed her husband's own wish, she said: 'These things are set apart for the god's worship, O sage.'

Verse 23 (padma.1.54.23)

नित्यकर्माणि चान्यानि किं वा तेषु विपर्ययः। स चोवाच सतीं तत्र देह्यालिगादिकं मम

nityakarmāṇi cānyāni kiṁ vā teṣu viparyayaḥ sa covāca satīṁ tatra dehyāligādikaṁ mama

'—and my other daily observances — what then is the harm in a little delay?' He then said to the chaste woman: 'Give me an embrace, and more.'

Verse 24 (padma.1.54.24)

मनसा भयमुत्सृज्य मया दत्तानि तानि च। इत्युक्त्वा तां परिष्वज्य कृतस्तेन मनोरथः

manasā bhayamutsṛjya mayā dattāni tāni ca ityuktvā tāṁ pariṣvajya kṛtastena manorathaḥ

'Cast the fear from your mind — I myself grant you leave for these things.' So saying, he embraced her, and thus he accomplished his desire.

Verse 25 (padma.1.54.25)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्र मुनेर्हृद्या सकल्मषम्। ततो ध्यानं समारभ्याजानाद्वृत्तं शचीपतेः

etasminnaṁtare vipra munerhṛdyā sakalmaṣam tato dhyānaṁ samārabhyājānādvṛttaṁ śacīpateḥ

Meanwhile, O brahmin, a sudden unease stirred in the sage's heart. Entering into meditation, he thereby came to know all that Indra had done.

Verse 26 (padma.1.54.26)

तूर्णमेव द्वारदेशे गत्वा च समुपस्थितः। शक्रो मुनिं तु संलक्ष्य चौतुदेहं विवेश ह

tūrṇameva dvāradeśe gatvā ca samupasthitaḥ śakro muniṁ tu saṁlakṣya cautudehaṁ viveśa ha

Instantly he arrived and stood at the door. Indra, seeing the sage, took on the body of a cat and fled.

Verse 27 (padma.1.54.27)

गच्छतः पृषदंशस्य पद्धतौ प्रचचाल ह। मुनिस्तत्रावदत्तं वै कस्त्वं मार्जाररूपधृत्

gacchataḥ pṛṣadaṁśasya paddhatau pracacāla ha munistatrāvadattaṁ vai kastvaṁ mārjārarūpadhṛt

As the cat went, it trembled and flinched upon the path. The sage then said to it: 'Who are you, taking on the form of a cat?'

Verse 28 (padma.1.54.28)

भयात्तस्य मुनेरग्रे शक्रः प्रांजलिराश्रितः। मघवंतं पुरो दृष्ट्वा चुकोप मुनिपुंगवः

bhayāttasya muneragre śakraḥ prāṁjalirāśritaḥ maghavaṁtaṁ puro dṛṣṭvā cukopa munipuṁgavaḥ

Out of fear, Indra stood before the sage with palms joined in supplication. But seeing Maghavan there before him, that foremost of sages blazed with fury.

Verse 29 (padma.1.54.29)

यत्त्वया चेदृशं कर्म भगार्थं छलसाहसम्। कृतं तस्मात्तवांगेषु सहस्रभगमुत्तमम्

yattvayā cedṛśaṁ karma bhagārthaṁ chalasāhasam kṛtaṁ tasmāttavāṁgeṣu sahasrabhagamuttamam

'Since you have committed such a reckless deceit, driven by lust for another's wife, therefore upon your very body a thousand marks of the vulva shall appear—'

Verse 30 (padma.1.54.30)

भवत्विह तु पापिष्ठ लिंगं ते निपतिष्यति। गच्छ मे पुरतो मूढ सुरस्थानं दिवौकसः

bhavatviha tu pāpiṣṭha liṁgaṁ te nipatiṣyati gaccha me purato mūḍha surasthānaṁ divaukasaḥ

'—so be it, most wicked one, and your very organ shall fall from you. Now go from my presence, fool, back to the realm of the gods—'

Verse 31 (padma.1.54.31)

पश्यंति मुनिशार्दूला नराः सिद्धास्सहोरगाः। एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठो रुदंतीं तां पतिव्रताम्

paśyaṁti muniśārdūlā narāḥ siddhāssahoragāḥ evamuktvā muniśreṣṭho rudaṁtīṁ tāṁ pativratām

'—where tiger-like sages, men, siddhas and serpents all may see you as you are.' Having spoken thus, the foremost of sages then turned to his weeping, devoted wife,

Verse 32 (padma.1.54.32)

पप्रच्छ किमिदानीं ते कर्म दारुणमागतम्। इत्युक्ता वेपमाना सा भीता पतिमुवाच ह

papraccha kimidānīṁ te karma dāruṇamāgatam ityuktā vepamānā sā bhītā patimuvāca ha

and asked her: 'What terrible thing has now happened to you?' So questioned, trembling and afraid, she spoke to her husband:

Verse 33 (padma.1.54.33)

अज्ञानाद्यत्कृतं कर्म क्षंतुमर्हसि वै प्रभो। मुनिरुवाच- परेणाभिगतासि त्वममेध्या पापचारिणी

ajñānādyatkṛtaṁ karma kṣaṁtumarhasi vai prabho muniruvāca- pareṇābhigatāsi tvamamedhyā pāpacāriṇī

'Whatever was done was done in ignorance — you ought, my lord, to forgive it.' The sage said: 'You have lain with another man — you are impure now, a woman fallen into sin.'

Verse 34 (padma.1.54.34)

अस्थिचर्मसमाविष्टा निर्मांसा नखवर्जिता। चिरं स्थास्यसि चैकापि त्वां पश्यंतु जनाः स्त्रियः

asthicarmasamāviṣṭā nirmāṁsā nakhavarjitā ciraṁ sthāsyasi caikāpi tvāṁ paśyaṁtu janāḥ striyaḥ

'Reduced to mere skin and bone, without flesh, without nails, you shall remain thus alone for a long time — let all people, and all women, look upon you.'

Verse 35 (padma.1.54.35)

दुःखिता तमुवाचेदं शापस्यांतो विधीयताम्। इत्युक्ते करुणाविष्टो मन्युनापि परिप्लुतः

duḥkhitā tamuvācedaṁ śāpasyāṁto vidhīyatām ityukte karuṇāviṣṭo manyunāpi pariplutaḥ

Stricken with grief, she said to him: 'Let there at least be an end appointed to this curse.' Hearing this, he, though still flooded with anger, was nonetheless moved to compassion,

Verse 36 (padma.1.54.36)

जगाद गौतमो वाक्यं रामो दाशरथिर्यदा। वनमभ्यागतो विष्णुः सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः

jagāda gautamo vākyaṁ rāmo dāśarathiryadā vanamabhyāgato viṣṇuḥ sītālakṣmaṇasaṁyutaḥ

and Gautama spoke these words: 'When Rama, son of Dasharatha — Vishnu himself — comes into this forest, together with Sita and Lakshmana,'

Verse 37 (padma.1.54.37)

दृष्ट्वा त्वां दुःखितां शुष्कां निर्देहां पथिसंस्थितां। गदिष्यति च वै रामो वसिष्ठस्याग्रतो हसन्

dṛṣṭvā tvāṁ duḥkhitāṁ śuṣkāṁ nirdehāṁ pathisaṁsthitāṁ gadiṣyati ca vai rāmo vasiṣṭhasyāgrato hasan

'—and sees you there, wasted and grief-stricken, bodiless, seated by the roadside, Rama will smile and say, in the presence of Vasishtha —'

Verse 38 (padma.1.54.38)

किमियं शुष्करूपा च प्रतिमास्थिमयी शवा। न दृष्टं मे पुरा ब्रह्मन्रूपं लोकविपर्ययम्

kimiyaṁ śuṣkarūpā ca pratimāsthimayī śavā na dṛṣṭaṁ me purā brahmanrūpaṁ lokaviparyayam

'"What is this withered shape, this bony corpse-like image? Never before, O brahmin, have I seen a form so contrary to nature."'

Verse 39 (padma.1.54.39)

ततो रामं महाभागं विष्णुं मानुषविग्रहम्। यद्वृत्तमासीत्पूर्वं तद्वसिष्ठः कथयिष्यति

tato rāmaṁ mahābhāgaṁ viṣṇuṁ mānuṣavigraham yadvṛttamāsītpūrvaṁ tadvasiṣṭhaḥ kathayiṣyati

'Then to Rama, that most blessed one, Vishnu in human guise, Vasishtha will tell all that happened before—'

Verse 40 (padma.1.54.40)

वसिष्ठवचनं श्रुत्वा रामो वक्ष्यति धर्मवित्। अस्या दोषो न चैवास्ति दोषोयं पाकशासने

vasiṣṭhavacanaṁ śrutvā rāmo vakṣyati dharmavit asyā doṣo na caivāsti doṣoyaṁ pākaśāsane

'—and hearing Vasishtha's account, Rama, who knows the ways of righteousness, will declare: "There is no fault in her at all — this fault belongs to Indra alone."'

Verse 41 (padma.1.54.41)

एवमुक्ते तु रामेण त्यक्त्वा रूपं जुगुप्सितं। दिव्यं रूपं समास्थाय मद्गृहं चागमिष्यसि

evamukte tu rāmeṇa tyaktvā rūpaṁ jugupsitaṁ divyaṁ rūpaṁ samāsthāya madgṛhaṁ cāgamiṣyasi

'When Rama has spoken these words, you shall shed this hateful form and, taking on again a radiant, divine form, you shall return to my home.'

Verse 42 (padma.1.54.42)

शप्त्वा तु गौतमस्तां हि तपस्तप्तुं गतो वनम्। ततोत्यंतं शुष्करूपा तथैव पथि संस्थिता

śaptvā tu gautamastāṁ hi tapastaptuṁ gato vanam tatotyaṁtaṁ śuṣkarūpā tathaiva pathi saṁsthitā

Having pronounced this curse, Gautama departed into the forest to perform austerities. And she, wholly withered away, remained there just as she was, upon the path.

Verse 43 (padma.1.54.43)

रामस्य वचनादेव गौतमं पुनरागता। गौतमोपि तया सार्द्धमद्यैवं दिवि तिष्ठति

rāmasya vacanādeva gautamaṁ punarāgatā gautamopi tayā sārddhamadyaivaṁ divi tiṣṭhati

By Rama's word alone she was restored, and returned again to Gautama; and Gautama, together with her, dwells even to this day in the heavens, exactly so.

Verse 44 (padma.1.54.44)

इंद्रोपि त्रपयायुक्तः स्थितश्चांतर्जले चिरम्। स्थित्वा चांतर्जले देवीमस्तौदिंद्राक्षिसंज्ञिताम्

iṁdropi trapayāyuktaḥ sthitaścāṁtarjale ciram sthitvā cāṁtarjale devīmastaudiṁdrākṣisaṁjñitām

Indra too, overcome with shame, remained for a long time submerged in the water; and there, submerged, he praised in hymn the goddess known as Indrakshi.

Verse 45 (padma.1.54.45)

सुप्रसन्ना ततो देवी स्तोत्रेण परितोषिता। गत्वोवाच ततः सा च वरोस्मत्तो विगृह्यताम्

suprasannā tato devī stotreṇa paritoṣitā gatvovāca tataḥ sā ca varosmatto vigṛhyatām

The goddess, well pleased and gratified by his hymn, then came before him and said: 'Choose a boon from me.'

Verse 46 (padma.1.54.46)

ततो देवीमुवाचेदं शक्रः परपुरंजयः। त्वत्प्रसादाच्च मे देवि वैरूप्यं मुनिशापजम्

tato devīmuvācedaṁ śakraḥ parapuraṁjayaḥ tvatprasādācca me devi vairūpyaṁ muniśāpajam

Then Indra, conqueror of the cities of his foes, said this to the goddess: 'By your grace, O goddess, may this disfigurement born of the sage's curse be undone—'

Verse 47 (padma.1.54.47)

संत्यज्य देवराज्यं च लब्ध्वाहं तु पुरा यथा। तमुवाच ततो देवी पापं तं मुनिशापजम्

saṁtyajya devarājyaṁ ca labdhvāhaṁ tu purā yathā tamuvāca tato devī pāpaṁ taṁ muniśāpajam

'—so that I need not surrender my sovereignty over the gods, and may become again just as I was before.' The goddess then spoke to him of that sin born of the sage's curse:

Verse 48 (padma.1.54.48)

किंतु बुद्धिं सृजाम्यद्य येन लोकैर्न लक्ष्यते

kiṁtu buddhiṁ sṛjāmyadya yena lokairna lakṣyate

'But I shall now devise a means by which the world will no longer recognize this mark upon you.'

Verse 49 (padma.1.54.49)

योनिमध्यगतं दृष्टि सहस्रं ते भविष्यति। सहस्राक्ष इति ख्यातस्सुरराज्यं करिष्यसि

yonimadhyagataṁ dṛṣṭi sahasraṁ te bhaviṣyati sahasrākṣa iti khyātassurarājyaṁ kariṣyasi

'These thousand marks set upon your body shall become for you a thousand eyes. Renowned then as Sahasraksha, the Thousand-Eyed, you shall rule over the kingdom of the gods.'

Verse 50 (padma.1.54.50)

मेषांडं तव शिश्नं च भविष्यति च मद्वरात्। इत्युक्त्वा सा जगन्माता तत्रैवांतरधीयत

meṣāṁḍaṁ tava śiśnaṁ ca bhaviṣyati ca madvarāt ityuktvā sā jaganmātā tatraivāṁtaradhīyata

'And by my boon, your organ shall be restored, as that of a ram.' Having spoken thus, the Mother of the Universe vanished then and there.

Verse 51 (padma.1.54.51)

शक्रो देववरैः पूज्यो ह्यद्यापि दिवि वर्तते। इंद्रस्यैतादृशी कामादवस्था द्विजसत्तम

śakro devavaraiḥ pūjyo hyadyāpi divi vartate iṁdrasyaitādṛśī kāmādavasthā dvijasattama

Indra, honored still by the greatest of the gods, dwells in heaven even to this day. Such, O best of brahmins, was the plight to which Indra was brought by desire.