Once, with a heart full of joy, I bestowed upon the great-souled sage Gautama the sacred land of Brahmagiri—a place renowned for granting all desires and auspiciousness. There, Gautama, the best among sages, lived happily with his wife Ahalya. Their story became well-known, even reaching Indra in heaven. Upon hearing of Gautama’s holiness and the beauty of Ahalya, Indra, king of the gods, was seized by curiosity and desire. He descended to their hermitage, disguising himself in the form of a Brahmin, to see Gautama, his blameless wife, and their prosperous abode. As he gazed upon Ahalya and the sage’s dwelling, Indra’s heart turned toward evil intent. Desire clouded his mind so completely that he forgot himself, others, place, time, and even the dreaded possibility of Gautama’s curse. Indra, proud of his lordship among the gods and his body burning with longing, wondered how he might enter the hermitage and fulfill his desire. Yet, despite dwelling in the guise of a Brahmin, he found no opportunity. One day, after Gautama finished his morning rites, he departed the hermitage with his disciples to see Gautamī, the Brahmins, and the various grains. Indra observed this and thought, “This is the moment.” He took action to please his mind. Assuming Gautama’s form, Indra approached the beautiful-limbed Ahalya and spoke words of affection, claiming to be drawn by her virtues and recalling her form, even stumbling in his steps. Smiling, he took her hand and entered within. Ahalya, not recognizing the deception, believed Indra to be her husband Gautama, and enjoyed his company while Gautama was away. Whenever Indra came, Ahalya greeted him sweetly, spoke loving words, and pleased him with her virtues. But when Gautama returned and did not find Ahalya, he was greatly astonished. All saw the eminent sage standing at the door, and the guardians and household servants of the Agnihotra hall, frightened and amazed, addressed Gautama: “O revered one, what is this marvel? You are seen both outside and inside. You have entered within with your beloved, yet you remain outside. Ah, this must be the power of your austerity—you assume many forms!” Astonished by their words, Gautama entered the hermitage and asked, “Who is here, O dear Ahalya? Why do you not speak to me?” Hearing him, Ahalya turned to her lover and asked, “Who are you, disguised as a sage? You have committed a sin!” Frightened, she swiftly rose from the bed. Indra, terrified by the sage’s wrath, transformed himself into a cat. Seeing Ahalya shaken and changed, now defiled, Gautama grew angry and asked, “What is this reckless act?” Ahalya, ashamed, remained silent. Searching for the intruder, Gautama saw the cat and demanded, “Who are you?” Indra replied falsely, “May I be reduced to ashes.” Then, with hands joined in reverence, Indra revealed himself: “I am Śacī’s husband, destroyer of cities, praised by men, O ascetic. This sin has befallen me; what I have said is true. I have committed a greatly condemned act, O sage. O Brahman, those whose hearts are pierced by the arrows of love—what do they not do? Forgive me, ocean of compassion, though I am a great sinner.” The virtuous, even when wronged, never act harshly. But Gautama, filled with anger, addressed Indra: “Let the sin committed through devotion to Bhaga make you Sahasrabhaga.” He also cursed Indra to become a dry river. Ahalya sought to appease Gautama, explaining the situation. Gautama declared, “Those wicked women who even desire another man in their mind go to endless hells, and so do all their ancestors.” But, becoming pleased, he listened as Ahalya spoke: “These witnesses came to me, assuming your form.” “So be it,” said the guardians, and Ahalya, truthful, agreed. Gautama, knowing the truth through meditation and now tranquil, spoke to his devoted wife: “O blessed one, when you unite with Gautamī, the goddess of the river, you shall become a river. Then, dear to me, you will regain your form.” Hearing these words, Ahalya acted accordingly. United with the goddess, she regained the very form I had created for her long ago. Indra, king of the gods, then approached Gautama with hands joined in reverence: “Protect me, O best of sages, for I, most sinful, have come to your house.” Seeing Indra fallen at his feet, Gautama spoke with compassion: “Go to Gautamī, and blessings be upon you. Bathe, O Purandara. In a moment, your sins will be washed away, and you will become thousand-eyed again.” O Nārada, I witnessed both wondrous events: the restoration of Ahalya and the thousand-eyed lord, husband of Śacī. From that time, the sacred ford where Ahalya was reunited became known as Indra-tīrtha, famed as granting all desires to men. Beyond that is another holy place, Janasthāna, spanning four yojanas. Remembrance of it grants liberation to men. In the lineage of Vaivasvata, there was once a king named Janaka, who married Guṇārṇavā, the virtuous daughter of the lord of waters—an ocean of virtues. King Janaka was the origin of the Janakas, upholding dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation; his wife, Guṇārṇavā, matched him in virtue and was worthy of his noble lineage.