The Story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Introduction to Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala

These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasise its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.

The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.

The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.

The Story of Gotam Muni and Ahalia

Gotam was a worshipper of the Saalgraam-Shivling (idol or statue, which is worn around the neck of Hindu saints). He meditated upon Shiva for many years, and Shiva granted him a boon. Gotam was pleased and thought that he would need to think very carefully about what he wished for.

He heard that Mudhgal’s daughter Ahalia’s marriage was to be arranged. Ahalia was so beautiful that all the deities and men wanted to marry her. Even Indar was ready to marry her. Ahalia’s father, Mudhgal was not pleased to see that his daughter was seen as bait or the fact that so many men were having lustful thoughts about her.  
So that his daughter was not married to any person, Mudhgal approached Brahma for advice. “O Brahma! So many men are fighting over my beautiful daughter, and I do not take pleasure seeing this. Please intervene and tell the deities to keep away from my daughter. Tell them to not go to war over her. Please think of a solution to this problem.”

Brahma listened and said that he will resolve this situation. Brahma called upon all deities and men who wished to marry Ahalia. “Listen!  Mudhgal’s daughter is very beautiful. She only seeks to marry one man. You are all capable of becoming her husband. However, if you wish to win Ahalia over then you will all need to follow the code of conduct when it comes to marriage. You will all need to circle the whole earth within 24 minutes. The one who does so first, will marry Ahalia.”  
All the deities were astonished that Brahma had set such a task for them. But that did not stop them from arguing. Brahma’s four sons and Indar were very self-centred about this and waged they would win.  
Gotam heard about this and wished that he could marry Ahalia. Gotam went to his Saalgraam (an object of worship, usually a Shivling) and prayed. The Saalgraam appeared before Gotam and asked him, “O Gotam, whatever you wish now will come true.”

Gotam wished that he could circulate the whole earth within 24 minutes so that he could win and marry Ahalia. The Saalgraam agreed to help Gotam circulate the earth in the given time and Brahma will be able to see all this.

Gotam was given the power to run like the gust of the wind and was given so much energy, that the neighbouring deities were shocked. Some deities even attempted to kill Gotam along the way, but with the blessing of the Saalgraam-Shivling, he was protected throughout his whole journey. Gotam reached Brahma and was the first to do so. At that point Brahma made the decision that Gotam will marry Ahalia. All the deities were displeased and were enraged with jealousy. They made attempts to steal Ahalia from Gotam, but Brahma gave the couple a protection so that no-one could take Ahalia away from Gotam.  
  
Gotam and Ahalia lived near the River Ganges. Gotam went back to meditating and the story of winning Brahma’s task had spread to all the other deities. Indar was still enraged and disappointed that he failed the task. All the holy men and deities were becoming distressed because of Indra’s anger. They were going without food and were abused by Indar.  

Gotam was hurt by all this, and he prayed to Saalgraam to feed the Brahmins and holy men. Saalgraam granted Gotam his wish and he fed all the Brahmins and the holy men. All men began to chant Gotam’s name and started singing his praises. Indar was again enraged by all this. His anger lay within the task that Brahma set. With his supernatural powers, Indar created a cow. But the curse that Indar put on the cow was if Gotam touched it, he would die. The cow went towards Gotam’s ashram. Gotam had come out of his ashram and touched the cow. However, the cow died instead.  
  
There was uproar amongst the Brahmins that Gotam killed a cow, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. “He must now repent!” they all shouted. 

With the almighty protection of the Saalgraam, Gotam found out that this was all Indar’s doings and he cursed all the Brahmins. He told them, “Go!  You people will never be satisfied. You will remain in poverty for many births.” Upon hearing this, the Brahmins became very worried, and Gotam stopped the monthly feast he held for them.
  
After some time, both Gotam and Ahalia had a daughter. She was ever so beautiful, just like her mother. Indar did not stop his quest to have some form of relationship with Ahalia. As time went by, Indar could not control his lust for Ahalia and he became in great distress. Many wise men advised Indar to not pursue his lust for Ahalia, but Indar was too stubborn to listen.  

Some foolish person advised Indar, “Gotam goes to bathe at the River Ganges, when it is time for him to pray. Go and request for help from the rooster and the moon. From the call of the rooster, Gotam awakes and when the moon comes out, Gotam will go to bathe in the River Ganges. If the rooster calls and the moon come out at the same time, then Gotam will have his ritual bath and begin his prayers.”
  
What a splendid idea thought Indar. Indar approached the rooster and the moon and asked for their help. They foolishly agreed to Indar’s plan.  
Night had fallen. In the middle of the night, the rooster began to call, and the moon came out. Gotam awoke upon hearing the rooster. He went to the River Ganges and began his ritual bath. Whilst Gotam was having a bath, the River Ganges began to speak to him and warned him, “O Gotam, the Ganges is asleep at this time, why are you bathing in the middle of the night? A robber is about to come to your house and deceive you. What are you doing here? Go home now!”

Upon hearing this, Gotam returned home. With Gotam away, Indar transformed himself into a cat. He knew Gotam would never leave Ahalia alone because so many deities were still pursuing her. Whenever Gotam went to bathe, he would always sit his daughter, Anjali, on the doorstep to stop anyone from entering the house.

When Indar saw Anjali on the doorstep, he transformed into a cat and snuck into the house. He then transformed himself into Gotam. Ahalia had no idea of this and both Indar and Ahalia made love.  
Gotam had come back from his ritual bath and he asked Anjali, “Who is inside?”  

At this point, Gotam’s eyes were burning with rage and redness.  Anjali said there was a cat inside.

Gotam barged inside and saw Indra (in the disguise of Gotam) naked, lying next to Ahalia.

Gotam remembered Saalgraam and cursed Indar. “O Indar, you sinful person; for one lustful moment you committed adultery, your whole body will be covered in vulva marks! You will be made to suffer!” On hearing these words, Indar panicked, as the curse began to manifest.

 

ਗੋਤਮੁ ਤਪਾ ਅਹਿਲਿਆ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਦੇਖਿ ਇੰਦ੍ਰੁ ਲੁਭਾਇਆ ॥
 ‘Ahalyaa was the wife of Gautam the seer.  Seeing her Indar was enticed.  

ਸਹਸ ਸਰੀਰ ਚਿਹਨ ਭਗ ਹੂਏ ਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਪਛੋਤਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
When he received thousands marks of disgrace on his body, then he felt regret within his mind.

(Guru Nanak Dev Ji; GGSJ: Ang 1344)

In addition, the moon was cursed. Gotam said to the moon, “You are part of this earth and provide us with light, but you helped a sinful person. From this time forth, you will no longer remain a full moon continuously; instead, you will transition into crescents and return to a full moon once each month.

The rooster was also cursed, “You will make your call in the mornings, but no-one will pay attention to you!”

Having given the curses, Gotam returned home. He cursed his daughter for foolishly letting Indar within the house when she was meant to be guarding it.  Anjali’s curse was that she would have to face motherhood whilst she was still a virgin. A few years later, the curse had taken place, and Anjali gave birth to a son, who was known as Hanuman. 

He said to Ahalia, “You are a mother to a beautiful daughter, but your intellect let you down. You committed adultery with another man. You failed to recognise the difference between your own husband and a fake! You acted like a stone, which does absolutely nothing but just sits there. Either you will turn into a stone, or you will take many births, where your lust will weaken immensely.”

Ahalia begged for mercy and asked for forgiveness! Gotam refused to listen and pronounced that she will remain as a stone for many ages until the birth of Sri Ram Chandar, who will be able to save her and free her from this curse.

Ahalia was sent to the River Ganges, and the curse had taken its toll. Ahalia became a stone.  Many ages later, Lakshman and Vishva Mitar began to meditate near Ahalia and Ahalia was emancipated there by Ram Chandar.

Below is the story of Ahalia and Gotam Rishi as written by Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar 10, Pauri 18:

 

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Authors who mention Ahalia and Gotam in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

Bhagat Ravidass Ji, Ang 710
Bhagat Naam Dev Ji, Ang 874, 988
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 1344
Bhatt Kal, Ang 1390

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Related Articles:

Part I: Raja Ambrik

Part II: Bhagat Angra ji and Bhagat Bidar

Part III: Sri Dhru Bhagat & Sri Prahladh Bhagat ji

Part IV: The Story of Ajaamal

Part V: The Story of Bhagat Sudama

Part VI: The story of Gotam Muni & Ahalia

Part VII: The Story of Raja Janak

Part VIII: The Story of Raja Bali

Part IX: The Story of Ajraja-Akrur

Part X:The Story of Bhisham Pitaama 

Part XI: The Story of Chandar Hans

Part XII: The stories of Durbaasha Rishi and Gajinder (the Elephant)

Part XIII:The Stories of Kubija Maalan and Oudhar

Part XIV:The Story of Sarvan Bhagat

Part XV: The Story of Rishi Balmeek 

Part XVI: The Stories of Sankaadik and Rukmaangudh

Part XVII: The Story of Sukdev Muni

Part XVIII: Madhusudan Demon Destroyer

Part XIX: Mother Daraupti

Part XX: The Story of Ganika

Part XXI: Sulhi & Sulbi Khan's Evil Conspiracy

Part XXII: The Story Raja Hari Chand

Part XXIII: The Story of Kaesee Dainth

Part XXIV: The Story of Raagmaala