Vishvamitra's Tales: From Ahilya's Curse to Janak's Court

Vishvamitra began the journey to Mithila with Ram and Lakshman, accompanied by several rishis from his ashram. During the trip, Vishvamitra shared some mythical stories with the princes. When Ram inquired about the upcoming places and forests, Vishvamitra provided detailed answers. After crossing the Son River, they entered a beautiful state. Upon Ram's inquiry, Vishvamitra revealed that he was once the king of that state and spoke about his ancestors to Ram and Lakshman. After resting for the night, they resumed their journey the next day. When they neared Mithila, they spotted a deserted and lovely ashram. Ram was curious to learn more about this place. 

"A long time ago, Rishi Gautam resided in this ashram along with his wife Ahilya," narrated Vishvamitra. "This was a lovely place back then, but an unfortunate event happened one day. It was midnight, but Rishi Gautam mistook the time to be Brahmamuhurt (an auspicious time) and set out to bathe in the Ganga. Indra, the king of the gods, disguised himself as Rishi Gautam and went to meet Rishi Gautam's wife, the ravishing Ahilya. They slept together, after which Indra ran away, only to run into Rishi Gautam returning after his bath. Seeing the guilty Indra, Rishi Gautam cursed him to become a eunuch. The rishi believed his wife was willing to participate in the deed and cursed her, 'You will become a stone statue, and no one will pay any attention to you.' When Ahilya begged the rishi for forgiveness, he said, 'When Dasharath's son, Lord Ram, comes to this place in the Treta era, by the touch of his feet, you will return to your original form.' Ahilya has been trapped here as a stone statue since then."

After hearing the story, Ram touched the statue with his feet, and Ahilya was freed from the curse, returning to her original beautiful form. Rishi Gautam happily accepted her as his lawful wife, and Ram's reputation spread far and wide after this incident.

Maharshi Vishvamitra, Ram, and Lakshman continued their journey toward Mithila, the capital of Videh Janak. King Janak was also known as Videha because, during deep meditation, he would lose awareness of his physical body.

King Janak was filled with extraordinary joy when he caught sight of Lord Ram. He bowed respectfully to Rishi Vishvamitra and inquired about the two handsome young princes accompanying him. The Rishi happily informed him that they were the sons of King Dasharath and had come to participate in Seeta's swayamvar, a ceremony where a bride chooses her groom from a group of suitors. Emperor Janak then revealed to Vishvamitra that one of his ancestors had received Lord Shiv's Sunabh bow as a gift. This bow was so heavy that only the one who could lift it would win Seeta's hand in marriage.