Ahilya


Stoned to destitution Ahilya, you stood rooted to the ground.
Scarcely human...you were not even a stone, Ahilya.

If children played name, place, animal, thing back then Ahilya, what would they call you?
You were neither human, nor stone...a place perhaps the site where Indra's desires wrecked havoc.

Like others of your ilk Ahilya, you paid for a sin that was not quite yours.
A sin for which Indra became a million eyed cat...

But tell me Ahilya, was Indra at least a gentle kisser?
Did you tremble when he nibbled at your tender ear lobe?
Or did you lie mute and paralyzed as he filled you with his sewage?

Gautam was livid, recalls myth.
Having caught his wife slithering under another man.

His own impotency must have stung him like a wasp Ahilya, as he roared a curse on your trembling form.
'Be turned to stone,' he thundered, throwing a fistful of cursed water on your bewildered self.

You were far gone by then I know Ahilya
Scarcely realizing you were but a piece of flesh between two warring men.

Centuries passed or were those light years?
A lonely Raam came shrieking for Sita.

Forlon and desperate he called out to his Janhavi as you lay stonelike in his way.

His big toe brushed your surface Ahilya,
A million sparks lit up your being they say.

The stone that was you shattered instantly Ahilya,
And I heard you finally blushed at memories of Indra biting your lip.

Ram set you free that day Ahilya,
Set you free from confines of mind, body, stone and sin.

Lifted the yoke of devout wife and pious soul Ahilya,
Raam set you free to be your own music. 

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