 Gautama then curses Ahalya to remain invisible to all beings for thousands of years, fast by subsisting only on air, suffer and sleep in ashes and be tormented by guilt.Nevertheless, he assures her that her sin will be expiated once she extends her hospitality to Rama, who will visit the ashram.Thereafter, Gautama abandons the ashram and goes to the Himalayas to practise asceticism.