Editing Ahalya (section)

== Creation and marriage ==
Ahalya is often described as an ''ayonijasambhava'', one not born of a woman.{{sfn|Bhattacharya|March–April 2004|pp=4–7}} The ''[[Balakanda|Bala Kanda]]'' of the ''Ramayana'' (5th to 4th century BCE) mentions that Brahma moulds her "with great effort out of pure creative energy".{{sfn|Goldman|1990|p=218}} The ''[[Brahma Purana]]'' (401–1300 CE) and the ''[[Vishnudharmottara Purana]]'' (401–500 CE) also record her creation by Brahma.{{sfn|Söhnen-Thieme|1996|pp=50–51}} According to the [[Odissi dance#Mahari Tradition|Mahari]] dance tradition, Brahma created Ahalya out of water as the most beautiful woman in order to break the pride of [[Urvashi]], the foremost ''[[apsara]]''.{{sfn|Ritha Devi|Spring-Summer 1977|pp=25–29}} The tribal Bhil ''Ramayana'' begins with the tale of Ahalya, Gautama and Indra. In the tale, Ahalya is created from the ashes of the [[yajna|sacrificial fire]] by the [[Saptarishi]] (seven seers) and gifted to Gautama.{{sfn|Jhaveri|2001|pp=149–52}} In contrast, the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' (501–1000 CE) and the ''[[Harivamsa]]'' (1–300 CE) regard Ahalya as a princess of the [[Lunar Dynasty|Puru Dynasty]], the daughter of King Mudgala and sister of King Divodasa.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=17}}{{sfn|Garg|1992|pp=235–236}}

In the ''[[Ramayana#Uttara Kanda|Uttara Kanda]]'' book of the ''Ramayana'' (regarded by most scholars as a later addition to the epic), Brahma crafts Ahalya as the most beautiful woman and places her in the care of Gautama until she reaches puberty. When that time arrives, the sage returns Ahalya to Brahma, who, impressed by Gautama's sexual restraint and asceticism, bestows her upon him. Indra, who believes that the best women are meant for him, resents Ahalya's marriage to the forest-dwelling [[Tapas (Sanskrit)|ascetic]].{{sfn|Bhattacharya|2000|pp=14–15}}{{sfn|Doniger|1999|pp=89–90, 321–322}}

The ''[[Brahma Purana]]'' gives a similar account of Ahalya's birth and initial custody, recording that her marriage was determined through an open contest. Brahma declares that the first being to go around the three worlds ([[Svarga|heaven]], [[Prithvi|earth]] and the [[Patala|underworld]]) will win Ahalya. Indra uses his magical powers to complete the challenge, finally reaching Brahma and demanding the hand of Ahalya. However, the divine sage [[Narada]] tells Brahma that Gautama went around the three worlds before Indra. Narada explains that Gautama [[Parikrama|circumambulated]] the wish-bearing cow [[Kamadhenu|Surabhi]] while she gave birth, as part of his daily ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (ritual offering), making the cow equal to three worlds according to the ''[[Vedas]]''. Brahma agrees and Ahalya marries Gautama, leaving Indra envious and infuriated.{{sfn|Söhnen-Thieme|1996|pp=51–53}} A similar, but shorter, version of Ahalya's early life appears in the ''[[Padma Purana]]'' (701–1200 CE).{{sfn|Söhnen-Thieme|1996|pp=54–55}}

In all versions of the tale, after marrying Gautama, Ahalya settles into his [[ashram]] (hermitage), which generally becomes the site of her epic curse. The ''Ramayana'' records that [[Gautam Ashram|Gautama's ashram]] is in a forest (''Mithila-upavana'') near [[Mithila (India)|Mithila]], where the couple practices asceticism together for several years.{{sfn|Söhnen-Thieme|1996|pp=40–41}}{{sfn|Goldman|1990|pp=215–216}} In other scriptures, the ashram is usually near the river bank. The ''Brahma Purana'' says that it is near the river [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and the ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' (701–1200 CE) places it near the river [[Narmada River|Narmada]]. The ''Padma Purana'' and the ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'' (801–1100 CE) describe the ashram as near the holy city of [[Pushkar]].{{sfn|Söhnen-Thieme|1996|pp=40–41}}