[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c7.210.4 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.210.4 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c7.210.4 - **Language:** English ### [c7.210.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210.4) 3) An attempt to kill Ahalyā. Once when Gautama was away from the āśrama Indra came there as a guest. Considering it as her duty to treat a guest of her husband properly during his absence Ahalyā received him well and gave him fruit to ease his tiredness. Indra went back. Gautama on knowing this on his return suspected the chastity of his wife and calling his son Cirakārī to his side asked him to cut off her head. After giving the order Gautama went to the forests. Cirakārī had a peculiar nature. He will ponder over things deeply before taking any action. He knew he must obey the orders of his father but killing one's own mother was a greater sin than disobeying a father. Weighing the merits and demerits of the act Cirakārī sat thinking without doing anything. Gautama when he reached the forest thought again about Ahalyā and her crime. After all what has she done? A guest came to the āśrama and as duty-bound she welcomed him. It was indeed a great sin to have killed her by her own son. Immersed in thoughts of this kind, sad and repentant, Gautama returned to the āśrama to find Cirakārī sitting silently deeply engrossed in thoughts. On seeing his father Cirakārī was perplexed and he explained to his father about the good and bad effects of his order. Gautama was pleased at this and he blessed him with long life. - [Previous: c7.210.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210.3) - [Next: c7.210.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210.5) - [Up: c7.210](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c7.210.4) · Pramāṇa