Vishwamitra's Tales: From Ahilya's Curse to Janaka's Court

Vishwamitra began the journey to Mithila with Rama and Lakshmana, accompanied by several sages from his ashram. During the trip, Vishwamitra shared some mythical stories with the princes. When Rama inquired about the upcoming places and forests, Vishwamitra provided detailed answers. After crossing the Son River, they entered a beautiful state. Upon Rama's inquiry, Vishwamitra revealed that he was once the king of that state and spoke about his ancestors to Rama and Lakshmana. After resting for the night, they resumed their journey the next day. When they neared Mithila, they spotted a deserted and lovely ashram. Rama was curious to learn more about this place. 

"A long time ago, Sage Gautama resided in this ashram along with his wife Ahilya," narrated Vishwamitra. "This was a lovely place back then, but an unfortunate event happened one day. It was midnight, but Sage Gautama mistook the time to be Brahmamuhurta (an auspicious time) and set out to bathe in the Ganga. Indra, the king of the gods, disguised himself as Sage Gautama and went to meet Sage Gautama's wife, the ravishing Ahilya. They slept together, after which Indra ran away, only to run into Sage Gautama returning after his bath. Seeing the guilty Indra, Sage Gautama cursed him to become a eunuch. 

"The sage believed his wife was willing to participate in the deed and cursed her, 'You will become a stone statue, and no one will pay any attention to you.' 

"When Ahilya begged the sage for forgiveness, he said, 'When Emperor Dasharatha's son, Lord Rama, comes to this place in the Treta era, by the touch of his feet, you will return to your original form.' 

"Ahilya has been trapped here as a stone statue since then."

After hearing this tragic story, Rama touched the statue with his feet, and thus freed Ahilya from the curse. She returned to her original beautiful form, and Sage Gautama happily accepted her as his lawful wife. Rama's reputation spread far and wide after this incident.

Sage Vishwamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana continued their journey toward Mithila, the capital of Videha Janaka. King Janaka was also known as Videha because, during deep meditation, he could transcend the needs of his body.

The three finally reached the palace of Mithila, where they were warmly welcomed by King Janaka. The king bowed respectfully to Sage Vishwamitra and inquired who the two handsome young princes accompanying him were. The sage happily informed him that they were Rama and Lakshmana, the sons of King Dasharatha, and had come to participate in Sita's swayamvara. 

Emperor Janaka narrated to Sage Vishwamitra the story of how he adopted Sita. He described how he once undertook a yagya, during which he personally began plowing the land. While doing so, he heard a child's cry. Upon investigating, he discovered a beautiful baby girl lying in the adjacent bushes. He gently picked her up and presented her to his wife. The childless couple regarded the baby as a gift from Mother Earth. They named her Sita and raised her with great affection. 

Janaka then told Vishwamitra that one of his ancestors had received Lord Shiva's Pinaka bow as a gift. This bow was immensely heavy, and so, Janaka decided that only one who could lift it would win Sita's hand in marriage.