Rama, after Indra had ruthlessly slain her sons, the grief-stricken Diti approached her husband, Sage Kashyapa, son of Marichi, with a heart laden with sorrow. She cried out, “O Lord Kashyapa, Indra has destroyed all my children, mercilessly. You are my protector; grant me a boon! Bless me with a son who shall overcome Indra and take dominion over the three worlds.”
Kashyapa, moved by her plea, replied, “Your wish is just. I grant you the blessing of a son who shall indeed surpass Indra. However, you must undertake a thousand years of penance, observing strict secrecy throughout. Should you break this sacred vow, your desire will be left unfulfilled.”
With joy filling her heart, Diti commenced her arduous austerities at the holy site of Kusaplava. She performed her penance with unwavering focus and determination. Seeing her devotion, Indra, in concern, sought to serve her personally, bringing sacred grasses, fruits, roots, and pods, attending to her with utmost care. For nine hundred and ninety years, he ministered to her every need, pressing her feet in reverence as a dutiful son.
One day, as Diti rested deeply, her feet moved and touched her head, thus violating the sanctity of her penance. Indra, seizing upon this lapse, assumed a subtle form and divided her growing fetus into seven parts. The fetus cried out, but Indra calmed it, saying, “Do not weep.”
When Diti awoke, she realized her penance had been interrupted. She spoke to Indra, “You are not at fault, Indra. My own negligence has brought this upon me. But grant me this one favor: let these seven parts become celestial beings known as the Maruts. Let them be the protectors of the celestial pathways, governing the winds that guide the stars and ensure the cosmic order.”
Indra, honoring her wish, transformed her sons into the Maruts, granting them immortality. Both returned to the heavens, while this place, Visala, became blessed by Diti’s devotion. Rama, curious about the land, asked, “Who now rules this kingdom, and what is his lineage?”
Smiling, Sage Vishwamitra replied, “O Rama, Visala, son of Ikshvaku and Alambana, founded this kingdom. His line has been blessed with noble kings: his son Hemachandra was powerful and just; Suchandra, his son, was a valiant warrior. There followed Dhumrasva, Srujaya, and the virtuous Sahadeva. His son, Kusasva, was known for his generosity and brilliance. Then came Somadatta, followed by Kakutstha, renowned for his noble rule. Lastly, Sumathi, radiant in virtue, now rules this city of Visalapuri. Tonight, let us rest here, and tomorrow we shall journey to the court of King Janaka.”
Upon hearing of Sage Vishwamitra’s arrival, King Sumathi, accompanied by his family, priests, and court, came to welcome the sage, expressing his joy at receiving such an honored guest. After ceremonial greetings and the completion of Vedic rites, the king inquired, “Who are these young princes, graced with the strength of lions and the stature of elephants?”
Vishwamitra narrated the deeds of the sons of Dasaratha—their triumph over Tataka, Subahu, and Maricha, and the completion of the sacred Yajna through their valor. Pleased by this account, Sumathi welcomed the young princes with great reverence. They spent the night in pleasant fellowship and set forth in the morning toward Mithila.
Upon reaching Janaka Puri, they touched the sacred earth, holding it to their eyes in devotion. During a casual stroll, Rama noticed a desolate place and asked the sage about it. “O Rama,” Vishwamitra began, “this is the hermitage of the great Sage Gautama. Here, one unfortunate day, Indra intruded, disguised as the sage himself, and deceived Ahalya. Though she sensed the ill intent, complacency clouded her judgment, leading to her downfall.
“Upon his return, Sage Gautama, enraged by the betrayal, cursed Indra to be stripped of his brilliance and haunted by sin. He then turned to Ahalya and proclaimed, ‘For your lapse in discernment, you shall remain here unseen by anyone until the day when Rama, the son of Dasaratha, steps into this hermitage, freeing you from this curse.'”
“O Rama, let us now witness what destiny holds for Ahalya and the next turn of events.”
