Listen, dear one, to the profound truth of the mind’s power. There exist ten cycles of worldly existence, born from the dust of the senses, and none can destroy them; they endure long, upheld by the firmness of the mind. While actions performed by the organs of the body may be restrained, what the mind has resolved cannot be so easily subdued. The resolve that has become deeply rooted in the mind of a person is invincible, and only that very resolve can undo itself—no other force can accomplish this. Whatever has been practiced with strong determination in the mind, over a long period, does not perish, not even by a curse, nor even when the body meets its end. Whatever form or idea is firmly seated in the mind, the person becomes that, and nothing else; all other methods, apart from awakening to this truth, are as fruitless as trying to move a mountain. Long ago, it is said, there was a famous king among the Magadhas named Indradyumna, renowned like another Indradyumna of old. His wife was Ahalya, whose eyes were like lotuses and whose beauty resembled the moon’s disc; she was to him as Rohini is to the moon. In that same city, there lived a powerful and wealthy young Brahmin named Indra, who was also called by that name. One day, while conversing, Queen Ahalya heard that in former times she had been desired by Indra. Hearing this, Ahalya became enamored with Indra; her heart filled with longing, she wondered why that Indra did not approach her. She suffered greatly, lying on beds of lotus stalks, lotus fiber, and banana leaves—like a young girl scorched in the forest after her creepers have been cut. Amidst all the royal luxuries, she grew weary, like a fish tossed on dry land, tormented by the summer heat. Her mind disturbed, she kept repeating, “This is Indra, this is Indra,” and in her agitation, she even abandoned her sense of shame. Seeing Ahalya so afflicted and deeply attached, her friend said, “Dear one, without delay, I will bring Indra to you.” Hearing these words, “I will bring Indra to you,” Ahalya’s eyes blossomed, and she fell at her friend’s feet like a lotus at the feet of a lotus. When the day had passed and night had come, the friend went to the prince named Indra. After waking him properly, she quickly brought Indra to Ahalya’s side during the night. Adorned with garlands and perfumes, Ahalya enjoyed union with the passionate Mahendra in a hidden chamber. At that time, she was captivated by him, who wore a charming necklace and armlets, drawn to him as a vine is drawn to the taste of honey. Her attachment grew so deep that she saw the world as filled with Indra alone; she no longer regarded her husband, though he possessed countless virtues. But after some time, her infatuation with Indra was discovered by her husband, the lion among kings, through the moon-like radiance of her face. As long as she meditated on Indra, her face shone with the fullness of the moon, like a lotus blooming at night. Observing their mutual attachment, the king imposed many punishments as discipline upon the two. Yet, though abandoned, both Indra and Ahalya remained together in the water-reservoir, content and smiling, without any distress. The king asked them, “Are you not troubled, though you are cast off?” The two replied to the king, having been taken out of the reservoir, “Having come together here, beholding each other’s flawless facial beauty, we are entranced, O king, not even disturbed by our own bodies being cut to pieces.” Even when surrounded by fire, the two remained unshaken; with joyful hearts, delighted by memory, they spoke to each other. Bound at the feet of elephants, pierced by nails, they stood firm, and in the same way, O king, they spoke to each other, delighted by remembrance. Struck by whips, yet unbroken, sunk in mud, yet unshaken, thus indeed they spoke. Again and again, when released from various imagined nets of punishment, they were questioned and replied repeatedly with the same meaning. Indra said, “O king, for me, this world is filled with affection; the punishments do not trouble me at all. And for her too, O king, this entire world is indeed made of mind; therefore, the pain of punishment does not trouble us at all. We are called ‘mind,’ O king, for mind is said to be the person; this body that is seen is only a projection. Even with a sudden multitude of punishments applied at the same time, it is not possible in the least to disturb the steady mind. What is that, O great king, and of what kind, and whose power is it, by which even minds firmly resolved are broken? Whether this body falls or rises, or becomes scattered, the mind fixed on its intended object remains as before. The mind, long absorbed in the desired object and steadfast, is not broken by any influences residing in the body. O king, whatever the mind intensely contemplates, it perceives as unmoving, regardless of the body’s actions. No action, O king, even those involving boons or curses, can shake a mind endowed with intense force. The mind of a person intensely attached to a desired object cannot be moved, just as animals cannot move a great mountain.” Thus, the story reveals the unshakable power of the mind’s resolve, which shapes the world for those who are steadfast and absorbed in their chosen object, untouched by external circumstances.