A puruvanshi lady who was turned into stone by her husband Gautama’s curse.

Antecedents: Vishnu – Brahma- Atri – Chandra – Budha – Pururavas – Ayus – Nahusha – Yayati – Puru – Janamejaya – Prachinvan – Namasyu – Veetabhaya – Shundu – Bahuvidha – Samyati – Rahovadi – Bhadrashwa – Matinara – Santurodha – Dushyanta – Bharata – Suhotra – Suhota – Gala – Garda – Suketu – Brihalkshetra – Hasti – Ajameedha – Neela – Shanti – Sushanti – Puruja – Arka – Bharmyashwa – Panchala – Mulgala – Ahalya.

As per the Ramayana, Rama and Lakshmana accompanied Vishwamitra to Janaka’s capital. On the way, they saw a hermitage. Vishwamitra explained that this was where Gautama lived with his wife Ahalya. Once Indra fooled Ahalya into sleeping with him, by assuming the form of Gautama. Gautama cursed Ahalya into becoming a statue, and Indra into losing his masculinity. He told Ahalya that when Rama put his foot on the statue in the Tretayuga, the curse would be lifted. As per Ramayana Balakanda Chapters 48-49, after the curse was lifted, Gautama and Ahalya lived there happily for a long time. As for Indra, the other devas such as  Agni consoled him and provided him a goat’s organ to replace his loss.

There is a slightly different version of this in the Kathasaritasagara. As per this version, Indra turned into a cat when he saw Gautama returning. But Gautama sensed something amiss and asked Ahalya who had been there. Ahalya said ‘Eshastithakhalu marjara’ (it is the cat that’s standing there) Marjara can also be read as mah jara (my illicit lover) as per Kathasaritasagara Lavanakalambaka Taranga 3.

Once Shilavati , wife of Ugrashravas began meditating to save her husband from dying due to a curse. Her aim was to prevent the sun from rising, and due to her meditation, it happened. Thanks to that, Aruna got a day’s respite. He also got to know that festivities were happening in devaloka to which only women were invited. Aruna transformed himself into a woman and gained entry. Indra, who was also present there, was infatuated with Aruna and they spent the night together. They had a son and as per Indra’s instructions Aruna gave the baby to Ahalya and resumed his duties. This was Bali. Aruna is also mentioned as Arunidevi during this time. Aruna was delayed because of this. Surya asked him the reason. Aruna explained everything to Surya, who then wanted to see Aruna’s female form. On seeing it, Surya too was aroused and they had a son, who too was left with Ahalya. This was Sugriva. Ahalya raised both the children as per Uttararamayana.