The next morning they started to go to Mithila where the great King Janaka was ruling. They passed by a beautiful ashram that was empty. Rama was eager to know about that Ashram and he asked Vishwamitra to tell him about it. Then Vishwamitra told Rama all about that place. He said that a great rishi called Gautama was living there with his beautiful wife Ahalya doing penance. Once when Gautama was away, Indra came disguised as Gautama and made advances on Ahalya. She too fell for Indra even though she knew that it was not the real Gautama her husband. The rishi Gautama arrived and cursed both Indra and his wife. Indra lost his virility but later got cured of it. Ahalya was cursed by Gautama to remain there and lie among dust uncared for in the ashram and invisible to the eyes of all until the arrival of Rama who would redeem her. Then he left for the Himalayas to perform his penance. By cursing he had lost all the benefits of all his penance which incidentally was the object of Indra's act. He always was afraid that his position would be lost to some great rishi such as Gautama.
Due to the curse by Gautama Indra lost his testicles. Later Devas found a goat whose testicles were removed and fitted to Indra and he became alright. This is surely one of the earliest transplantations. It is not clear if one should take this literally. But in my opinion, the mention of such a possibility in Ramayana itself is indeed a matter of wonder.
Vishwamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana followed by all the rishis left that place and proceeded in the northeastern direction towards Mithila. When they reached Mithila, the king Janaka came along with his guru Shatananda to welcome Vishwamitra and offered all due respects to him and to his entourage. Janaka was performing a great Yajnya and he said he was very fortunate that Brahma Rishi Vishwamitra came and graced the occasion. Janaka saw the two young princes who were so handsome and was so impressed that he enquired Vishwamitra who they were and why they were with him. Vishwamitra said that they were King Dasharatha's sons and explained what all had happened including the release of Ahalya from her curse and her union with Gautama her husband. He also said that he brought Rama there because he wanted to see the famous bow. Shatananda was the eldest son of Ahalya and Gautama and he was immensely pleased to hear that her mother was redeemed by Rama he profusely praised Rama and offered him his respects,
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