On the way they saw a hermitage without bird or beast or any other living creature. Noticing a rock lying there, the Lord asked the sage about it, and the latter told him the whole story in detail.

“Gautama’s consort,” he said, “was turned into a stone by a curse, and is patiently longing for the dust of your lotus feet. Have mercy on her, O hero of Raghu’s race!”

At the very touch of his holy feet, which drive away sorrow, verily emerged Ahalya, a true embodiment of austerity. Beholding the lord of Raghus, joy of faithful, she stood before him with folded hands. Overwhelmed with love and all unstrung, she was unable to utter a word. The most blessed Ahalya clung to his feet and tears streamed from both her eyes.

Recovering herself, she recognized the Lord and by the grace of Raghunatha attained devotion to his feet. In a speech framed in the purest of words she began to hymn his praise; “Glory to the lord of Raghus, whom only spiritual knowledge may reveal! I am an impure woman, while the Lord is able to sanctify the world of sin and is the delight of the faithful! O lotus-eyed foe of Ravana, you rid your devotees of the terror of rebirth, therefore, I have come to you for refuge! Pray save me, save me!

Well was it that the sage pronounced a curse on me, and I count it as a great favour, for I have feasted my eyes on Hari, deliverer from the bondage of worldly existence, a vision Shankara regards as the only blessing worth the name, Lord, I am very innocent of heart; I have only one request to make. I seek no other boon from you, my master; may my soul like a bee sip the honey of devotion to the dust of your lotus feet!

The merciful Lord Hari placed on my head the same lotus feet from which sprang the most holy Ganga (the heavenly river) which is borne by Shiva on his head, the feet which are adored by Brahma!” Having thus praised Hari and falling again and again at his feet, Gautama’s wife took leave of the Lord; and winning a boon, which she held most dear to her heart, went rejoicing to her husband’s abode.

The lord Rama is such a great friend of the humble and so causelessly compassionate! Adore only him, O foolish Tulasidasa, and give up all entanglements of deceit!