Utanka - AncientVoice

Mbh.1.2.364	The Paushya parva treats of the greatness of Utanka, and the Pauloma, of the sons of Bhrigu.
Mbh.1.3.771	And one day while about to depart upon some business related to a sacrifice, he employed one of his disciples, Utanka, to take charge of his household.
Mbh.1.3.772	Utanka, said he, whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without neglect'
Mbh.1.3.773	And having given these orders to Utanka, he went on his journey.
Mbh.1.3.774	So Utanka always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his abode in the latter's house.
Mbh.1.3.775	And while Utanka was residing there, the females of his preceptor's house having assembled addressed him and said, O Utanka, thy mistress is in that season when connubial connection might be fruitful.
Mbh.1.3.777	And Utanka, thus addressed, said unto those women, It is not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women.
Mbh.1.3.780	And his preceptor having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing Utanka, said, Utanka, my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee?
Mbh.1.3.784	Utanka, thus addressed, replied, saying, Let me do something that you wish, for it hath been said, He who bestoweth instruction contrary to usage and he who receiveth it contrary to usage, one of the two dieth, and enmity springeth up between the two,
Mbh.1.3.786	His master, upon hearing this, replied, Utanka, my child, wait a while'
Mbh.1.3.787	Sometime after, Utanka again addressed his preceptor, saying, Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire'
Mbh.1.3.788	And his preceptor then said, My dear Utanka, thou hast often told me of your desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction thou hast received.
Mbh.1.3.791	And thus directed by his preceptor Utanka addressed his preceptress, saying, Madam, I have obtained my master's leave to go home, and I am desirous of bringing something agreeable to thee as honorarium for the instruction I have received, in order that I may not depart as his debtor.
Mbh.1.3.795	Then accomplish this, O Utanka!
Mbh.1.3.797	Utanka thus commanded, took his departure.
Mbh.1.3.799	And that man addressed Utanka and said, Eat thou of the dung of this bull'
Mbh.1.3.800	Utanka, however, was unwilling to comply.
Mbh.1.3.801	The man said again, O Utanka, eat of it without scrutiny.
Mbh.1.3.803	And Utanka signified his assent and ate of the dung and drank of the urine of that bull, and rose respectfully, and washing his hands and mouth went to where King Paushya was.
Mbh.1.3.804	On arriving at the palace, Utanka saw Paushya seated on his throne.
Mbh.1.3.805	And approaching him Utanka saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and said, I am come as a petitioner to thee'
Mbh.1.3.807	And Utanka said, I came to beg of thee a pair of ear-rings as a present to my preceptor.
Mbh.1.3.809	King Paushya replied, Go, Utanka, into the female apartments where the Queen is and demand them of her'
Mbh.1.3.810	And Utanka went into the women's apartments.
Mbh.1.3.816	Utanka, thus informed, reflected for a while and then said, Yes, it must be so.
Mbh.1.3.819	And Utanka having agreed to this, sat down with his face towards the east, and washed his face, hands, and feet thoroughly.
Mbh.1.3.826	And Utanka said unto her, It behoveth thee to give me those ear-rings of thine.
Mbh.1.3.828	And the Queen having been highly pleased with Utanka's conduct and, considering that Utanka as an object of charity could not be passed over, took off her ear-rings and gave them to him.
Mbh.1.3.831	And Utanka being told this, said unto the Queen, Lady, be under no apprehension.
Mbh.1.3.834	Then Paushya said to Utanka, A fit object of charity can only be had at long intervals.
Mbh.1.3.837	And Utanka replied, Yes, I will tarry, and beg that the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in'
Mbh.1.3.838	And the king having signified his assent, entertained Utanka duly.
Mbh.1.3.839	And Utanka seeing that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it was cold, thought it unclean.
Mbh.1.3.842	And Utanka thereupon rejoined, It behoveth thee not, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in return.
Mbh.1.3.845	And Paushya having ascertained that the food was truly unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi Utanka, saying, Sir, the food placed before thee is cold, and doth contain hair, having been prepared without sufficient care.
Mbh.1.3.848	And Utanka answered, What I say must come to pass.
Mbh.1.3.858	To this Utanka made answer, I showed thee the uncleanliness of the food offered to me, and I was even now pacified by thee.
Mbh.1.3.862	And Utanka having said this departed with the ear-rings.
Mbh.1.3.863	On the road Utanka perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing.
Mbh.1.3.864	And Utanka put the ear-rings on the ground and went for water.
Mbh.1.3.866	And Utanka having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters pursued the thief with the utmost speed.
Mbh.1.3.870	Now, Utanka, recollecting the words of the Queen, pursued the Serpent, and began to dig open the hole with a stick but was unable to make much progress.
Mbh.1.3.873	And Utanka began to enter the hole after the thunder-bolt.
Mbh.1.3.875	And Utanka then glorified the serpents by the following slokas: Ye Serpents, subjects of King Airavata, splendid in battle and showering weapons in the field like lightning-charged clouds driven by the winds!
Mbh.1.3.885	The Brahmana Rishi Utanka having saluted the chief serpents in this manner, obtained not, however, the ear-rings.
Mbh.1.3.894	Then the man with the horse said unto Utanka, I am gratified by this thy adoration.
Mbh.1.3.896	And Utanka replied, Even let the serpents be brought under my control'
Mbh.1.3.898	And Utanka blew into that horse.
Mbh.1.3.900	And Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, hastily came out of his abode taking the ear-rings with him, and said unto Utanka, Pray, Sir, take back the ear-rings'
Mbh.1.3.901	And Utanka took them back.
Mbh.1.3.902	But Utanka having recovered his ear-rings thought, O, this is that sacred day of my preceptress.
Mbh.1.3.905	And when Utanka was anxious about this, the man addressed him and said, Ride this horse, Utanka, and he will in a moment carry thee to thy master's abode'
Mbh.1.3.906	And Utanka having signified his assent, mounted the horse and presently reached his preceptor's house.
Mbh.1.3.907	And his preceptress that morning after having bathed was dressing her hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on Utanka if he should not return within time.
Mbh.1.3.908	But, in the meantime, Utanka entered his preceptor's abode and paid his respects to his preceptress and presented her the ear-rings.
Mbh.1.3.909	Utanka, said she, thou hast arrived at the proper time at the proper place.
Mbh.1.3.913	Then Utanka waited on his preceptor.
Mbh.1.3.916	And Utanka replied to his preceptor, Sir, in the execution of this my business obstruction was offered by Takshaka, the King of serpents.
Mbh.1.3.924	And when I was on the road I also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was endearingly accosted thus, Utanka, eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten by thy master'
Mbh.1.3.935	And Utanka, having obtained his master's leave, moved by anger and resolved to avenge himself on Takshaka, proceeded towards Hastinapura.
Mbh.1.3.937	And Utanka then waited upon King Janamejaya who had some time before returned victorious from Takshashila.
Mbh.1.3.938	And Utanka saw the victorious monarch surrounded on all sides by his ministers.
Mbh.1.3.940	And Utanka addressed the monarch at the proper moment in speech of correct accent and melodious sounds, saying, O thou the best of monarchs!
Mbh.1.3.959	By the speech of Utanka was inflamed the prince, even as the sacrificial fire with clarified butter.
Mbh.1.3.960	Moved by grief also, in the presence of Utanka, the prince asked his ministers the particulars of his father's journey to the regions of the blessed.
Mbh.1.3.961	And when he heard all about the circumstances of his father's death from the lips of Utanka, he was overcome with pain and sorrow.
Mbh.1.4.964	Having studied Puranas with meticulous devotion and thus being thoroughly acquainted with them, he addressed them with joined hands thus, I have graphically described to you the history of Utanka which is one of the causes of King Janamejaya's Snake-sacrifice.
Mbh.1.50.2587	And hearing all about the discomfiture of thy royal father, and of the insult to the Rishi Utanka, decide thou that which should follow!
Mbh.1.50.2618	I must now avenge myself on my father's enemy to please myself, the Rishi Utanka and you all
Mbh.3.200.10309	O son, O Bharata, there was a celebrated Rishi of the name of Utanka and, O thou of the Kuru race, Utanka had his hermitage in a delightful wilderness.
Mbh.3.200.10310	And, O great king, the Rishi Utanka underwent ascetic austerities of the severest kind and the lord Utanka underwent those penances for numberless years with the object of obtaining the favours of Vishnu, and gratified with his penances that illustrious Lord presented himself before Utanka.
Mbh.3.200.10311	And beholding the Deity, the Rishi in all humility began to gratify him with many hymns, and Utanka said, O thou of great effulgence all creatures with the gods, Asuras and human beings, all things that are mobile or immobile, even Brahma himself, the Vedas, and all things that are capable of being known, have, O lord, been created by thee!
Mbh.3.200.10329	It was thus, O Yudhishthira, that the high-souled Utanka praised the Lord of the senses.
Mbh.3.200.10330	And Vishnu, therefore, said unto Utanka, I am gratified with thee.
Mbh.3.200.10332	And Utanka said, This indeed hath, been a great boon to me, in that I have been able to behold Hari, that eternal Being, that divine Creator, that Lord of the universe
Mbh.3.200.10335	Thus requested by Hari to accept a boon Utanka then, O thou best of Bharatas, with joined hands begged a boon saying, O illustrious one, O thou of eyes like lotus leaves, if thou hast been gratified with me, then let my heart always rest on virtue, truth, and self-content.
Mbh.3.200.10337	And hearing these words of Utanka, the holy one said, O regenerate one, all this shall happen to thee through my grace.
Mbh.3.201.10351	Markandeya continued, O king, when the royal sage Vrihadaswa was about to retire into the woods, that best of Brahmanas, Utanka heard of it.
Mbh.3.201.10352	And Utanka who was possessed of great energy and immeasurable soul, approached that foremost of all wielders of weapons and best of men.
Mbh.3.201.10354	And Utanka said, O king, to protect the people is thy duty.
Mbh.3.202.10384	SECTION CCII Markandeya said, Thus addressed by Utanka, that unvanquished royal sage, with joined hands, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, replied unto Utanka, saying, This visit of thine, O Brahmana, will not be in vain.
Mbh.3.202.10390	And the royal sage Vrihadaswa then, having commended his son to obey the behest of the high-souled Utanka saying, Let it be done by thee' himself retired into an excellent forest'
Mbh.3.203.10435	And at last O bull of the Bharata race, that wicked souled Asura arriving at a sea of sands known by the name of Ujjalaka, began to distress to the utmost of his might the asylum of Utanka.
Mbh.3.203.10436	And endued with fierce energy, Dhundhu, the son of Madhu and Kaitabha, lay in his subterranean cave underneath the sands in the observance of fierce ascetic and severe austerities with the object of destroying the triple world, and while the Asura lay breathing near the asylum of Utanka that Rishi possessed of the splendour of fire, king Kualaswa with his troops, accompanied by the Brahmana Utanka, as also by all his sons set out for that region, O bull of the Bharata race!
Mbh.3.203.10437	And after that grinder of foes, the royal Kuvalaswa, had set out, accompanied by his twenty-one thousand sons all of whom were exceedingly powerful, the illustrious Lord Vishnu filled him with his own energy at the command of Utanka and impelled by the desire of benefiting the triple world and while that invincible hero was proceeding on his way and loud voice was heard in the sky repeating the words, This fortunate and unslayable one will become the destroyer of Dhundhu to-day'
Mbh.3.203.10454	And the gods and the Rishis and Utanka, hearing this were exceedingly gratified and all of them said, Let it be as thou wishest'
Mbh.14.53.2360	There he beheld that foremost of ascetics, named Utanka, of immeasurable energy.
Mbh.14.53.2364	That foremost of Brahmanas, viz, Utanka, politely accosted by Madhava, honoured him duly and then addressed him in these words,
Mbh.14.53.2379	When Krishna had said these words, Utanka, filled with wrath, and with eyes expanded in rage, addressed him in these words.
Mbh.14.53.2380	Utanka said, Since, though able, O Krishna, thou didst not rescue those foremost ones of Kuru's race, who were thy relatives and, therefore, dear to thee, I shall, without doubt, curse thee.
Mbh.14.54.2393	SECTION LIV Utanka said, Do thou, O Kesava, tell me that faultless Adhyatma.
Mbh.14.55.2430	SECTION LV Utanka said, I know thee, O Janarddana, to be the creator of the universe.
Mbh.14.55.2434	Vaisampayana continued, Gratified with him, the holy one then showed Utanka that eternal Vaishnava form which Dhananjaya of great intelligence had seen.
Mbh.14.55.2435	Utanka beheld the high-souled Vasudeva's universal form, endued with mighty arms.
Mbh.14.55.2439	Beholding that high and wonderful Vaishnava form of Vishnu, in act, seeing the Supreme Lord in that guise, the Brahmana Utanka became filled with wonder'
Mbh.14.55.2440	Utanka, said, O thou whose handiwork is the universe, I bow to thee, O Soul of the universe, O parent of all things.
Mbh.14.55.2447	Vaisampayana continued, Unto him, O Janamejaya, Govinda of gratified soul said these words, Do thou ask for some boon' Unto him Utanka, however, said, Even this is a sufficient boon from thee for the present, O thou of great splendour, in that, O Krishna, I have beheld this form of thine, O foremost of all beings.
Mbh.14.55.2451	Utanka said, I must accomplish that, O lord, which thou thinkest should be done.
Mbh.14.55.2454	Withdrawing that energy, the Supreme Lord then said unto Utanka, Whenever thou wilt require water, think of me!
Mbh.14.55.2456	Subsequently, one day, the illustrious Utanka, solicitous of water and exceedingly thirsty, wandered over the desert.
Mbh.14.55.2461	As soon as Utanka had thought of Krishna, that hunter smilingly addressed him, saying, O Utanka, O thou of Bhrigu's race, do thou accept this water from me.
Mbh.14.55.2464	The intelligent Utanka even began to censure Krishna of unfading glory.
Mbh.14.55.2469	Beholding that wonderful disappearance, Utanka became filled with shame.
Mbh.14.55.2471	Soon after, the holder of the conch and discus and mace, endued with great intelligence, came to Utanka by the way along which the hunter had come.
Mbh.14.55.2473	Unto Utanka who said these words, Janarddana of great intelligence replied, comforting him with many soft words, That form which it was proper to assume for offering thee water, in that form was water offered to thee.
Mbh.14.55.2476	My words to that puissant deity were, Do thou give nectar in the form of water unto Utanka'
Mbh.14.55.2478	Let some other boon be granted to Utanka,
Mbh.14.55.2480	The lord of Sachi, however, was once more requested by me in these words, viz, even nectar should be given to Utanka,
Mbh.14.55.2491	Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became filled with gladness, and to this day, O Bharata, Utanka-clouds appear and shower rain on and deserts
Mbh.14.56.2492	SECTION LVI Janamejaya said, With what penances was the high-souled Utanka endued so that he entertained the wish to denounce a curse on Vishnu himself, who is the source of all puissance'
Mbh.14.56.2493	Vaisampayana said, O Janamejaya, Utanka was endued with austere penances.
Mbh.14.56.2496	All the children of the Rishis O Bharata, entertained even this wish, viz, that their devotion to preceptors should be as great as that of Utanka.
Mbh.14.56.2497	Gautama's gratification with and affection for Utanka, among his numerous disciples, were very great, O Janamejaya.
Mbh.14.56.2498	Indeed, Gautama was highly pleased with the self-restraint and purity of behaviour that characterised Utanka, and with his acts of prowess and the services he rendered to him.
Mbh.14.56.2500	In consequence, however, of his great affection for Utanka, Gautama could not permit him to leave his retreat.
Mbh.14.56.2501	Gradually, in course of time, O son, decrepitude overtook Utanka, that great ascetic.
Mbh.14.56.2504	Soon after Utanka brought a heavy load of fuel.
Mbh.14.56.2508	Oppressed as he had been by that load and overcome by hunger, O Bharata, Utanka, beholding that sign of old age, began to indulge in loud lamentations from excess of sorrow.
Mbh.14.56.2512	The Earth herself was unable to hold those tear-drops of Utanka.
Mbh.14.56.2513	With a gratified heart, Gautama then said unto the regenerate Utanka, Why, O son, is thy mind so afflicted with grief today?
Mbh.14.56.2515	Utanka said, With mind entirely devoted to thee, and wholly bent upon doing what is agreeable to thee, with my, heart's devotion turned to thee, and with thoughts entirely dwelling on thee, I have resided here till decrepitude has come upon me without my knowing it at all.
Mbh.14.56.2522	Utanka said.
Mbh.14.56.2533	At these words of Gautama, Utanka once again became a youth and accepted that famous maiden for his wife.
Mbh.14.56.2542	Vaisampayana continued, Utanka, however, O monarch, once more, said these words, Do thou command me, O mother.
Mbh.14.56.2546	Replying unto her So be it, Utanka departed, O Janamejaya, resolved to bring those ear-rings for doing what was agreeable to his preceptor's wife.
Mbh.14.56.2547	That foremost of Brahmanas, Utanka, proceeded without any loss of time to Saudasa who had through the curse of Vasishtha become a cannibal, in order to solicit the ear-rings from him.
Mbh.14.56.2548	Gautama meanwhile said unto his wife, Utanka is not to be seen today'
Mbh.14.56.2551	Cursed by Vasishtha, that king who has been transformed into a man-eater will verily slay Utanka'
Mbh.14.56.2552	Ahalya said, Without knowing this, O holy one, I have set Utanka to this task.
Mbh.14.56.2555	Meanwhile, Utanka met king Saudasa in a deserted forest
Mbh.14.57.2556	SECTION LVII Vaisampayana said, Beholding the king, who had become so, of frightful mien, wearing a long beard smeared with the blood of human beings, the Brahmana Utanka, O king, did not become agitated.
Mbh.14.57.2557	That monarch of great energy, inspiring terror in every breast and looking like a second Yama, rising up, addressed Utanka, saying, By good luck, O best of Brahmanas, thou hast come to me at the sixth hour of the day when I am in search of food'
Mbh.14.57.2558	Utanka said, O king, know that I have come hither in course of my wanderings for the sake of my preceptor.
Mbh.14.57.2563	Utanka said, Let it be so, O king.
Mbh.14.57.2576	Utanka said, O foremost of men, O Saudasa, in my estimation thou art a worthy person from whom gifts may be accepted.
Mbh.14.57.2582	Utanka said, If we be regarded as any authority, do thou cease then to urge this pretext.
Mbh.14.57.2585	Vaisampayana continued, Thus addressed, the king once more addressed Utanka and said unto him, Do thou, at my word, go to my venerable queen, O best of men, and ask her, saying, Give,
Mbh.14.57.2587	Utanka said, Whither, O ruler of men, shall I be able to meet thy queen?
Mbh.14.57.2591	Vaisampayana continued, Thus addressed, Utanka, O chief of Bharata's race, then left that spot.
Mbh.14.57.2593	Hearing the command of Saudasa, that lady of large eyes replied unto the highly intelligent Utanka, O Janamejaya, in these words: It is even so, O regenerate one.
Mbh.14.58.2611	SECTION LVIII Vaisampayana said, Utanka, coming back to king Saudasa who was always well-disposed towards all his friends, solicited him for some sign to convince Madayanti of the fact of his being really commissioned by the king.
Mbh.14.58.2616	Thus addressed by the king, Utanka went back to the queen and reported to her the words of her lord.
Mbh.14.58.2617	Hearing those words, the queen gave unto Utanka her jewelled ear-rings.
Mbh.14.58.2618	Having obtained the ear-rings, Utanka came back to the king and said unto him, I desire to hear, O monarch, what the import is of those mysterious words Which thou saidst as a sign to thy queen'
Mbh.14.58.2628	Utanka said, O king, I shall certainly act according to my promise.
Mbh.14.58.2635	Utanka said, Those who are skilled in the rules of duty say that Brahmanas are of restrained speech.
Mbh.14.58.2646	Utanka took leave of the monarch and set out for the presence of Ahalya.
Mbh.14.58.2659	Beholding the ear-rings taken away by that snake, Utanka, filled with wrath and in great anxiety of mind, came down from the tree.
Mbh.14.58.2665	Vaisampayana continued, Assuming the garb of a Brahmana afflicted with the sorrow of Utanka, the chief of the celestials addressed him, saying, This purpose of thine is incapable of being achieved.
Mbh.14.58.2668	Utanka said, If, O Brahmana, the ear-rings be not recovered by me from the regions of the Nagas, I shall cast off my life-breaths before thy eyes, O foremost of regenerate persons'
Mbh.14.58.2669	Vaisampayana said, When the thunder-armed Indra failed to divert Utanka from his purpose, he united the latter's walking staff with the force of thunder.
Mbh.14.58.2671	By that path Utanka entered the world of Nagas.
Mbh.14.58.2677	Beholding the region of the Nagas, Utanka became very cheerless.
Mbh.14.58.2681	Addressing Utanka, he said, Do thou blow into the Apana duct of my body.
Mbh.14.58.2685	Utanka said, How did I know thee in the retreat of my preceptor?
Mbh.14.58.2691	Thus addressed by the deity of fire, Utanka did as he was directed.
Mbh.14.58.2702	Thus honoured by them, Utanka of great prowess, circumambulating the deity of fire, started for the retreat of his preceptor.
Mbh.14.58.2705	It was even thus, O Janamejaya, that the high-souled Utanka, having wandered through the three worlds, fetched those jewelled ear-rings for his preceptor's wife.
Mbh.14.58.2706	Of such prowess, O chief of Bharata's race, was the ascetic Utanka.
Mbh.14.59.2709	SECTION LIX Janamejaya said, After having conferred that boon on Utanka, O foremost of regenerate persons, what did the mighty-armed Govinda of great celebrity next do'
Mbh.14.59.2710	Vaisampayana said, Having granted that boon to Utanka, Govinda, accompanied by Satyaki, proceeded to Dwaraka on his car drawn by his large steeds endued with great speed.

Jijith Nadumuri Ravi
Research data published for the interest of people researching on Mahabharata.
Suggestions are welcome: email:moc.liamg|rnhtijij#moc.liamg|rnhtijij

Reference:- Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli; Source of Plain Text: www.sacred-texts.com; Wikified at AncientVoice.

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