 A similar, but shorter, version of Ahalya's early life appears in the "Padma Purana" (701–1200 CE).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 Gautama's ashram is in a forest ("Mithila-upavana") near Mithila, where the couple practices asceticism together for several years.