Chapter 2 - The Acts of Uttaṅka (a Disciple of Gautama)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vasiṣṭha said:

1. There was a great sage named Gautama in earlier times, who had practised severe austerities. His wife was renowned by the name Ahalyā.^[1]

2. This sage had taught crores of disciples and he used to send them back home after making them accomplished in the learning of sacred texts.

3. Attached firmly with faith in the teacher, one of his intelligent disciples named Uttaṅka used to stay in his (the teacher’s) house.

4. Despite old age afflicting him (i.e., the disciple), he was not sent back home. His hair turned grey. But as he (Uttaṅka) was the best disciple, he used to put up there.

5. Proficient in studies and remaining engaged in all activities, some time he went out to fetch firewood.

6. Collecting a heavy load of firewood he came back to the hermitage and the firewood fell down on the ground.

7-11. Seeing one of his hair stuck to the wood Uttaṅka became very sad and worried. He began to think, “My life is ruined and has become a matter of reproach! What use has it been left with! As a person devoid of intelligence, I have not got married even. Cursed have I become to waste my life and with my thoughtless action my lineage will come to an end.” Ahalyā, the wife of the teacher noticed that Uttaṅka was very unhappy. As she informed the great Sage Gautama about Uttaṅka’s pain, with a soft voice the Sage said, “O Son! go home and together with your wife perform Agnīhotra [Agnihotra?] (offering oblation to fire) etc. as prescribed and without any hesitation.”

12-13. After the teacher said like this Uttaṅka said, “Tell me the fee which I will definitely give.” Gautama said, “O dear son! You have already served me in a big way and my fee has been paid through the same. There is no doubt in this.” Uttaṅka said, “Of course, you have to take something by which I will have my satisfaction. O best Sage! I have already become proficient in studies with your grace.”

14-16. Gautama said, “O son! I have nothing to take. I am pleased with your service and I have no desire for your wealth. Go back to your own house with all happiness.” After the utterance of words ‘Service to teacher’ Uttaṅka told the wife of the teacher, “O Mother! I have to make an offering by which I will have my satisfaction.”

17-18. The wife of the teacher said, “O son! you go to Saudāsa and follow my orders fast. His wife is renowned as Madayantī. O pupil! get the earrings of Madayantī fast. I will curse you if you do not turn up by the fifth day.”

19-20. Uttaṅka left and reached Saudāsa’s house as soon as the teacher’s wife said so. He saw Saudāsa having the face of tiger. Having seen this Brāhmaṇa, Saudāsa said, “You have arrived for my food. O Brāhmaṇa! I will undoubtedly eat you up.”

21-22. Uttaṅka said, “O King! you, of course, eat me up but before that listen to these words of mine. You give me both of your earrings. After giving them to the teacher, I will come back and then you can eat me up.”

Saudāsa said:

22-23. You go to the temple difficult to approach where my wife stays. With fear of your own life, you go there carefully and ask her for the earrings as per my words, which she will give you. O Brāhmaṇa! you do not have to do anything other than this truth.

Vasiṣṭha said:

24-25. Going near Madayantī, the best Brāhmaṇa said, “O revered lady! Please give me both the earrings as per the command of Saudāsa to you.” Madayantī said, “O Brāhmaṇa! I have doubt whether to give you the earrings. Please show me a token of proof with regard to the identity of the King.”

26. Instantly he rushed to the King and asked for his identity.

Saudāsa said:

27. Go and tell that righteous lady these words of mine: “One without whom welfare cannot be attainable and only misfortune awaits.” She in turn will, of course, hand over to you the bejewelled earrings.

Vasiṣṭha said:

28-30. Having taken such identity Uttaṅka went and communicated it to her. Then having said, “O Brāhmaṇa! take the earrings,” she gave the earrings. She also said, “You must carry these earrings with great care. O Brāhmaṇa! the goldsmith always had the desire for these two earrings.” Having taken these, the Brāhmaṇa became wonder-struck with wide open eyes. However, he was perplexed over the words of the King for which he proceeded to the King again with curiosity.

He said:

31-32. After bringing to notice your identity, I have obtained the two glittering earrings. But I could not understand your statement, for the comprehension of which I have come to you again. O King! I was settled in whichever way in my own work. But I have curiosity to know as to the reason for which welfare or well-being cannot be possible and one is driven towards misfortune.

Saudāsa said:

33. The act of worship causing pleasure to a Brāhmaṇa brings in welfare while the same act resulting in displeasure causes misfortune as was my previous (old) condition.

34-35. I had a curse of Sage Vasiṣṭha on me, according to which, I would be released from the sins of my vices when someone could only enable an unpressed declaration of this question from me. O best Brāhmaṇa! I have become free from the curse today by your kindness and have attained the sacred Abode. Take leave from me and my due respects to you.”

Vasiṣṭha said:

36-38. Thereafter becoming free from Saudāsa, Uttaṅka took to his way swiftly. While on way, becoming intently troubled with hunger he happened to see a Bilva fruit (a wood-apple) on a tree. Then tying up both the earrings with the haired skin of a black antelope, he kept them on the ground and climbed up the tree. In the intervening period, Takṣaka, the Nāga prince, taking away both the earrings went away in the Southern direction of the grassland.

39. Having eaten the fruit, Uttaṅka descended to the ground and began to look intently for the earrings on all sides. He saw Takṣaka, the King of Nāgas in front entering a frightening dark hole.

40-44. Picking up a stick lying nearby in hand Uttaṅka entered the hole full of darkness and got engaged in searching. Seeing Uttaṅka to be sad and stressed due to the teacher’s job Indra put the mighty thunderbolt onto the stick and Uttaṅka could dig up to the bottom of the earth very soon. Haying entered the lower region of earth, i.e., hell, he went on moving around with an eye upon the earrings. He saw a horse of superior quality of full white colour there. The horse told him, “You touch my private part and your job will be done.”

45-46. Smoke soon spread across there after its saying so. The fire engulfed all places in the nether region including the mountains supporting the earth. Then agitated snakes began to run here and there. Along with the earrings, Takṣaka, the king of Nāgas, was there before them. Then he handed over the earrings to Uttaṅka and after paying his respects left for home.

Vasiṣṭha said:

47-54. Now Fire said to the assured best Brāhmaṇa, “I am Agni, whom you had worshipped earlier as per the direction of your own teacher. Out of mercy, I have come here seeing you sad. You sit on my back fast. I will take you to the teacher the storehouse of all qualities.” Then Uttaṅka seated on his back started heading towards the teacher’s hermitage and instantly reached near the abode of Gautama. At that time, after having a bath and getting herself dressed up Ahalyā was by the side of her husband and happened to be saying, “Uttaṅka has not come today. I am determined to curse him. He shows laxity in performing the teacher’s assignment.” Hardly had she spoken like this when Uttaṅka appeared before her with a bright face. He had brought both the earrings and after paying respects gave those with faith. Having taken those earrings, Ahalyā wore them on her ears at that time and then sent Uttaṅka back home.

Vasiṣṭha said:

55. Thus that cleft was caused by Takṣaka and Uttaṅka. Intent upon thinking like this, I am, therefore, for it to be filled up due to my cow.

56. Hence, you please fill it up quickly for no one else other than you is able to do this even with one hundred meritorious actions. O Himālaya, O King of mountains, complete my work without any hesitation.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The text has Ahilyā.