Thoughtfulness of a Saint

Gautama was one of the renowned seven sages. He was really a great Tapasvin. He had ten thousand disciples to whom he provided food and shelter. But he used to get into a rage even over minor faults. Once unknowingly his wife Ahalya committed a small mistake, which made him furious.
He called his son Chirakari and ordered him to kill her.
Giving this command he went deep into the forests.
Ahalya was the most beautiful lady Brahma had created. Indra wanted to marry her and he approached Brahma.
Brahma wanted her to complete her scriptural studies and then decide on her marriage. Accordingly Brahma sent her away to the sage Gautama. Gautama taught her all the scriptures and by then she attained marriageable age.
Brahma appreciated the Sage Gautama’s purity as he maintained complete self-control as he taught her. So he agreed to give Ahalya in marriage to him. In due course Ahalya gave birth to sons. The first son Sadananda later mastered all scriptures and was the guru of King Janaka. The second son Sarathvanda was the father of Kripacharyaa of Mahabhaarata fame. The third son Chirakari was great thinker. He would ponder deeply on any issue before acting on it.
He was in 2 minds and so could not come to a decision for many days. After sometime Gautama’s anger subsided. He started to regret his rash action. He wondered whether Chirakari would have already carried out his action.
Much worried, Gautama returned hurriedly to the Ashrama. He noticed Chirakari still brooding over what to do. As Chirakari begged forgiveness Gautama replied, “The question of forgiveness does not arise. I am glad that you did not kill her immediately. If you had, I too would have surely died now. You get the merit of saving both our lives.”

Gautama also praised Ahalya to have such a son as Chirakari.