Ahalya the nymph being released from a curse by Rama and Lakshman. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Ahalyā was the wife of Rishi Gautama and a very beautiful woman. According to the Rāmāyana she was the first woman made by Brahmā who was given to Gautama. Ahalyā with the help of the moon who assumed the form of a cockrel awoke Gautama at midnight who went to perform his morning devotions, Indra then took Gautama's place and seduced Ahalyā. When Gautama found out he banished her rendering her invisible until her restoration by Rāma, who reconciled her to her husband