Rishi Gautama is known as the Guru of Indra, the consort of Ahalya. Indra allowed his consciousness to be seduced by the senses, and because of this he was cursed by Gautama, as a result of which Indra's body was covered with vulvas, from which he was terribly embarrassed. He humbly turned to the Rishi, and he changed his curse - then the vulvas turned into eyes.
Once Shiva performed tapas on Kailash, and Vishnu - on Siddheshwar (the peak following Mount Kailash). Rishi Gautama also came there to perform austerities. He went to Kailash every day to serve Lord Shiva. With the help of the powers obtained as a result, the rishis created the Gautama Ganga - the river that flows there to this day.
The river was then very wide and difficult to cross, so the rishi asked Gautama Ganga to become narrower. But Gautama Ganga became stubborn and refused to obey, so the rishi cursed her and sent her down underground. Then Gautama Ganga began to flow underground to the confluence with the Ganges in Benares, this underground confluence still exists. However, the rishi took pity on Gautama Ganga in time and raised her to the surface near Haidakhan, where she continues to flow in a smaller stream today.
The eldest son of Gautama was Shatananda (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala-kanda, 51.2).
Besides him, Gautama had two more sons, Sharadvan and Chirakari. Saradvan was born with arrows in his hand (Mahabharata, Adi-parva, 130.2). Chirakari always thought deeply about each of his actions, and therefore he hesitated forever, for which he received his name ("Mahabharata", Sabha-parva, ch. 266). Sharadvan's second name was Gautama (the same as his father's name). That is why Kripa and Kripi, the children of Sharadvan, were known as Gautama and Gautami (Mahabharata, Adi-parva, 129.2).
In addition, Gautama had a daughter, whose name was not included in the annals of history. She is mentioned in the Mahabharata (Ashvamedha-parva, 56.11). This daughter is said to have cried when Gautama's disciple Utanga appeared at the ashram with a heavy bundle of firewood on his head.
In the 4th chapter of the Vamana Purana, several more daughters of Gautama are mentioned: Jaya, Jayanti and Aparajiti.
Intention to kill Akhalya
Once, when Gautama was away, Indra visited his ashram as a guest. Reasoning that she was obliged to properly take care of her husband's guest in his absence, Akhalya warmly greeted him and served fruit. Indra accepted the food and then departed.
Learning of this, Gautama suspected his wife of treason and ordered his son Chirakari to behead her; he himself retired into the forest. Chirakari had a peculiarity: before doing anything, he thought it over deeply. He knew that he must do the will of his father, but killing his mother is a more serious sin than neglecting his father's command. Weighing all the pros and cons, Chirakari sat lost in thought and did nothing.
At the same time, Gautama in the forest was thinking about Ahalya and her wrongdoing. After all, what is her fault? A guest came to the ashram, and it was her duty to greet him. Truly, it is a grave sin to kill her with the hands of her son. With such thoughts, lamenting, Gautama returned to the ashram and found Chirakari immersed in silence and deep thought.
Seeing his father, Chirakari was confused, and then explained to him all the good and bad sides of his order. Gautama was pleased and blessed him with longevity.
Utanga's test
Utanga was the best of Gautama's disciples. Therefore, when all the other students finished their education and went home, Gautama asked Utanga to continue his studies, to which the latter willingly agreed. He stayed with Gautama until he became gray. Then, taking pity on Utanga, Gautama received guru-dakshina from him and, blessing him, said goodbye to him.
Achalya's curse
Indra entered into a relationship with Akhalya. Upon learning of this, Gautama cursed both of them.
Other information
By the curse of Vasistha Kalmasapada, the king of Ayodhya, was destined to live as a demon for twelve years. Finally, he took refuge with Gautama and, on his advice, went to Gokarna to perform penance in order to appease Shiva and attain moksha ("Shivaratri-mahatmya").
The 58th sukta of the First mandala of the Rig Veda was folded by the sage Nodhas, who was also called Gautama.
Lakshman, brother of Sri Rama, erected the Vaijayant palace near the ashram of Gautama ("Uttara Ramayana").
Gautama is one of the seven sages (Saptarishi) (Mahabharata, Anusasana-parva, 133.50).
Gautama sits in the assembly of Brahma and worships him (Mahabharata, Sabha-parva).
Once Gautama blessed Satyavan's father Dyumatsen, and he received his sight (Mahabharata, Vana-parva, 298.11).
During the Battle of Kurukshetra, Gautama appeared on the battlefield and advised Drona to stop fighting (Mahabharata, Drona-parva, 190.36).
Gautama was among the many sages who visited Bhishma, who was reclining on a bed of arrows.
Once Gautama built a monastery on the top of Mount Pariyatra, where he indulged in asceticism for 60,000 years. Kala, the god of time, appeared before him. Gautama gave him a worthy welcome and sent him back (Mahabharata, Santi-parva, 47.10).
Born *, Gautama scattered darkness with his radiance, for which he received his name (gau - "rays of light", tamas - "darkness", Skt.) - "Dispelled darkness" ("Mahabharata", Anushasana-parva, 93.94).
- Gautama or the day of appearance of Gautama Rishi, is traditionally considered the shukla-pratipat (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). - Approx. transl.
At one time Gautama instructed King Vrsadarbha about the dangers of accepting rewards for good deeds (Mahabharata, Anusasana-parva, 93.42).
Gautama was among the rishis who swore not to be involved in the theft of the lotuses of the sage Agastya (Mahabharata, Anusasana-parva, 94.19).
