This story is based on the Paushya Parva, within the Adi Parva, Chapters 3.6-3.12
Following in the royal bloodline of the Pandava brothers of great renown, the great grandson of Arjuna, young King Janamejaya, returned to his kingdom with his three brothers, and their armies. Fresh from a successful conquest of the neighbouring kingdom of Takshyashila, thereby fulfilling the first order of the new royal preceptor in Hastinapura, Sage Somashruta. The snake-born son of the sage Shrutasrava, recently having taken up the seat that was formerly occupied in the days of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Bhishma, by the great teacher Kripacharya.
The Order of the Guru Patni
Immediately after this, King Janamejaya, with King Paushya a neighbouring King, whose name literally means “coming from flowers,” both of the order of Kshatriyas, arrived at the hermitage of the great Sage Veda, to ask if he would be their master and preceptor.
Sage Veda, was the most ardent disciple of the stoic sage Ayoda Dhaumya, and had seen his fellow disciples Aruni & Upapmanyu, be put through the metaphoric fire on completion of their studies. Whilst Sage Veda was so exceptional a disciple that he was able to bare all austerity without flinching, and it was described that he “Like an ox under the burthens of his master,” bore it all. After experiencing such a strict master, the magnanimous Sage Veda had previously decided to choose a path of liberality toward his own disciples.
As time went on, Sage Veda once had a disciple called Uttanka. In some tellings of the Mahabharata, Uttanka’s role is so pivotal in this short story, that the section is called Utanko-pakh-yana, and not the Paushya Parva.
Amongst the closing stories the Mahabharata, the Sage Uttanka features in an interaction with none other than Krishna, as Krishna is returning from Hastinapura after the Battle of Kurukshetra and having pacified Yudhiṣṭhira, and the ladies of Hastinapura with his words and presence.
In their encounter, Krishna was asked by Sage Uttanka what had transpired in Hastinapura and the Battle. On explaining the devastating mass slaughter, the Sage Uttanka, who was of a very compassionate disposition like his guru Sage Veda, became frustrated at Krishna for not bringing about a compromise before war. Krishna explained further the efforts he went to, and the philosophy of how those who passed were indeed destined to. Krishna finally revealed his Universal Form to Uttanka, showing himself to be the Supreme Deity.
So once again, back to the present with King Janamejaya, who along with King Paushya, had just obtained Sage Veda as their master. One day, Sage Veda while about to depart upon some work related to an upcoming sacrifice, employed his disciple Uttanka, to take charge of his household. ‘Uttanka', said he, ‘whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without neglect.’ And having given these orders to Uttanka, the Sage Veda departed.
And so, Uttanka, always mindful of the injunction of his preceptor took up his abode in the latter’s house. And while Uttanka was residing there, the females of his preceptor’s house having assembled, addressed him and said, ‘O Uttanka, thy Masters’ mistress is in that season when connubial connection might be fruitful. The preceptor is absent; then stand thou in his place and do the needful.’ And Uttanka, thus addressed, said unto those women, ‘It is not proper for me to do this at the bidding of women, like this. I have not been enjoined by my preceptor, to do that which is improper.'
After a while, the great Sage Veda returned, and having learnt all that had happened, became well-pleased and, addressing Uttanka, said, ‘Uttanka, my child, what favour shall I bestow on thee? I have been served by thee duly; therefore, hath our friendship for each other increased. I grant thee leave to depart. Go thou, and let thy wishes be accomplished!'
Uttanka, thus addressed said, 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.’ Uttanka continued, I, therefore, who have received thy leave to depart, am desirous of bringing thee some honorarium due to a preceptor. His master, upon hearing this, replied, ‘Uttanka, my child, wait a while.’
Sometime after, Uttanka again addressed his preceptor, saying, ‘Command me to bring that for honorarium, which you desire.’ And his preceptor then said, ‘My dear Uttanka, thou hast often told me of your desire to bring something by way of acknowledgment for the instruction thou hast received. Go then in and ask my wife what thou art to bring. And bring thou that which she directs.’
The wife of the great Sage Veda then said, ‘Dear Uttanka, do go unto King Paushya and beg of him the pair of earrings that are worn by his Queen. The fourth day hence, is a sacred day when I wish to appear before the Brahmanas decked with these earrings. Then accomplish this, O Uttanka! If thou shouldst succeed, good fortune shall attend thee; if not, what good canst thou expect?'
Uttanka’s Quest for the Earrings Begins
Uttanka thus commanded, departed on his quest. And as he was passing along the road, he saw a bull of extraordinary size and a man of uncommon stature mounted thereon. And that man addressed Uttanka and said, ‘Eat thou of the dung of this bull.’ Uttanka, however, was unwilling to comply. The man said again, ‘O Uttanka, eat of it without scrutiny. Thy master ate of it before.’ And Uttanka 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.
On arriving at the palace, the Sage Uttanka saw King Paushya seated on his grand throne. And approaching him Uttanka saluted the monarch by pronouncing blessings and said, ‘I am come as a petitioner to thee. <pause & awkward / Shelby> I have come to beg of thee a pair of earrings as a present to the preceptors. Indeed, my preceptor is none other than Sage Veda. This great Sage, who is also your preceptor has ordained this. It therefore behoveth thee to give me the earrings worn by your Queen.'
King Paushya replied, 'Go, Uttanka, into the female quarters, where the Queen is, and demand them of her.' And Uttanka went into the women's quarters, but he did not see the Queen. Returning to King Paushya, he said, 'It is not proper that I should be treated by thee with such deceit. Thy Queen is not in the private apartments, for I could not find her.'
The King, thus addressed, considered for a while, and replied, 'Recollect, O Sir, with attention whether thou art in a state of defilement, or uncleanliness, in consequence of contact with the impurities of a repast. My Queen is a chaste wife and cannot be seen by anyone who is impure owing to contact with the leavings of a repast. Nor doth she herself appear in sight of anyone who is defiled.'
Uttanka, thus informed, reflected for a while, and then said, 'Yes, it must be so. Having been in a hurry I performed my ablutions after meal, in a standing posture.' King Paushya then said, “And yes, here is your transgression, purification is not properly effected by one in a standing posture, and not by one while he is going along.' And Uttanka having agreed to this, sat down with his face towards the east, and washed his face, hands, and feet thoroughly. And he then, without a noise, sipped thrice of water free from scum and froth, and not warm, and just sufficient to reach his stomach and wiped his face twice. And he then touched with water the apertures of his organs, his eyes, and ears. And having done all of this, he once more entered the chambers of the women. And this time he saw the Queen. And as she perceived him, she saluted him respectfully and said, 'Welcome, O Sage, do command me what I have to do.'
And Uttanka said unto her, 'It behoveth thee, to give me those earrings of thine. I beg them as a present for my preceptor, the great Sage Veda.' And the Queen, having been highly pleased with the Sage Uttanka's conduct and, considering that Uttanka, as an object of charity could not be passed over, took off her earrings and gave them to him.
Before they parted ways, the Queen remarked to the Sage, 'These earrings are very much sought after, O Uttanka, by Takshaka, the great King of the Serpent race. Therefore, shouldst thou carry them with the greatest care.'
The great Sage Kashyapa, born of Brahma, had two wives. Firstly, Kadru, to whom was born the serpent line, and Vinata, who also in eggshells, were born the birds, including the great eagle carrier of Vishnu, Garuda. Kadru was mother to over a century of snakes, the prime snakes including Shesha, Vasuki, and Takshaka. Takshaka is also known in Chinese and Japanese stories, as being one of the "8 Great Dragon Kings."
Uttanka & Paushya’s Mutual Curses
On Uttanka then appearing before King Paushya with the earrings in hand and ready to convene his onward journey, King Paushya addressed the Uttanka saying, ‘A fit object of charity can only be had at long intervals.
Thou art a qualified guest, therefore, do I desire to perform a small ceremony with a meal, before thou parteth. Tarry thou a little. And Uttanka replied, ‘Yes, I will tarry, and beg that the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in.’ And the king having signified his assent, entertained Uttanka duly.
And Uttanka seeing that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it was cold, thought it unclean, and he said unto King Paushya, ‘Thou givest me food that is unclean, therefore shalt thou lose thy sight.’ And so, the Sage, without any hesitation, or deliberation, cursed the King to become blind. And King Paushya immediately replied, ‘And because dost thou impute uncleanliness of food, which is clean, therefore shalt thou be without offspring.’
And Uttanka thereupon rejoined, ‘It behoveth thee not O King, after having offered me unclean food, to curse me in return. Satisfy thyself by ocular proof.' And the King, seeing the food alleged to be unclean, satisfied himself of its uncleanliness. And having ascertained that the food was truly unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman of unbraided hair, began to pacify the Sage, saying, ‘O Sage, the food placed before thee was indeed, cold, and doth contain hair, having been prepared, without sufficient care. Therefore, I pray that thee pardon me. Let me not become blind.’
And Uttanka answered, ‘What I say must come to pass. Having become blind, thou may, however, recover thy sight before long. O King Paushya, grant that thy curse on me, of not having offspring, also doth not take effect.’ And the King replied, ‘I am unable to revoke my curse O Sage. For my wrath even now, hath not been appeased. But thou knowest not this. For a Brahmana’s heart is soft as new-churned butter, even though his words bear as a sharp-edged razor. It is otherwise in respect of these with the Kshatriya, whose words are soft as new-churned butter, but his heart is like a sharp-edged tool. Such being the case, I am unable, because of the hardness of my heart, to neutralise my curse. So do O Sage, go thou thy own way.’
To this, Uttanka made answer, “I showed thee the uncleanliness of the food offered to me, and I was even now pacified by thee. Besides, saidst thou at first that because I imputed uncleanliness to food, that you thought was clean, I should be without issue. But the food truly being unclean, thy curse cannot affect me. Of this, I am sure.’ And the Sage Uttanka, having said this departed having obtained the earrings he so sought.
Takshaka Steals the Earrings
As Uttanka journeyed back to his preceptors’ abode, on the road he perceived coming towards him a naked idle beggar. This beggar would sometimes come into view, and sometimes disappear. The Sage, being somewhat mesmerised and feeling blurry, put the earrings on the ground and went to the water to cleanse himself.
Whilst doing so, the beggar came quickly to the spot and taking up the earrings, ran away. And Uttanka having completed his ablutions in water and purified himself and having also reverently bowed down to the gods and his spiritual masters, realising that the earrings had been taken by the mysterious and mystical beggar, pursued the thief with the utmost speed, also with his mystical potencies. And having with great difficulty overtaken him, he seized him by force.
But at that instant the running beggar assuming his real form, that of Takshaka, the great snake, speedily entered a large open hole in the ground. And having gotten into the underworld, Takshaka proceeded to his abode, the region of the serpents, closing up the hole that was open.
Uttanka, recalling the words of the Queen of Paushya, pursued the Serpent, and began to dig open the hole with a stick but was unable to make much progress.
And Indra beholding Uttanka’s distress at trying to claim back the earrings that he sought for his master’s wife, sent his powerful thunderbolt, the Vajra, to Sage Uttanka’s assistance. The thunderbolt entering that stick, enlarged the hole. And Uttanka thereby, entered the hole in pursuit of <slow + suspense> the bolt, and the Snake.
And having entered, Uttanka beheld the region of the serpents, infinite in extent, filled with hundreds of palaces and elegant mansions with turrets and domes and gateways, abounding with wonderful places for diverse games and entertainments. Sage Uttanka at this sight, elaborately glorified the serpents, saying “Ye Serpents, subjects of King Airavata, who was a great snake, born also of Princess Kadru, who in turn was the daughter of Daksha, splendid in battle and showering weapons in the field like lightning-charged clouds driven by the winds! I adore thee also, to obtain the earrings, O Takshaka, who formerly dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forests of Khandava!”
Uttankas Back Up Plan
And thus, the Sage Uttanka having addressed, and saluted, and adored the chief of serpents Takshaka in this manner, obtained not, however, the earrings. And he thereupon became very thoughtful.
And when he saw that he obtained not the earrings despite his pacificatory address, Uttanka looked about, and beheld two women at a loom, weaving a piece of cloth with a fine shuttle; and in the loom were black and white threads. And he likewise saw a wheel, with twelve spokes, turned by six boys. And Uttanka also saw a man with a handsome horse. And contemplatively, with a great sense of reflection and appreciation Sage Uttanka began to address them as follows:
“This wheel, whose circumference is marked by 24 divisions, representing as many lunar changes, is furnished with 300 spokes. It is set in continual motion by six boys, who are the seasons. These damsels, representing universal nature, are weaving without intermission a cloth with threads black and white, and thereby ushering into existence the manifold worlds, and the beings that inhabit them. Thou wielder of the thunder, Indra, the protector of the universe, the slayer of the demon Vritra, thou illustrious one who wearest the black cloth, and displayest truth and untruth in the universe. Thou who ownest for thy carrier the horse which was received from the depths of the ocean, and thou who art but another form of Agni, the god of fire, I bow to thee, thou supreme Lord, thou Lord of the three worlds, O Purandara!'
The man with the horse, turned to Uttanka and said, ‘I am gratified by this, thy adoration. What good shall I do to thee?’ And Uttanka replied, ‘Let even the serpents, be brought under my control.’
Indra rejoined, ‘Blow into this horse.’ And Uttanka blew into that horse. And from the horse thus blown into, there issued, from every aperture of his body, flames of fire with smoke by which the region of the Nagas was about to be consumed. And Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, hastily came out of his abode, taking the earrings with him, and said unto Uttanka, ‘Pray, O Sage, take back the earrings.’ And so, Uttanka took custody, once again, of the highly coveted earrings.
Return of Uttanka with the Earrings
Uttanka having recovered the earrings thought, ‘O this is that sacred day of my preceptress. I am at a distance. How can I, therefore, show my regard for her?
And when Uttanka was anxious about this, the man addressed him and said, ‘Ride this horse, O Uttanka, and he will in a moment carry thee to thy master’s abode.’ And Uttanka having signified his assent, mounted the horse, and reached his preceptor’s home within a moment. And his preceptress that morning, after having bathed was dressing her hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on Uttanka if he should not return within time.
But, in the meantime, Uttanka entered his preceptor’s abode and paid his respects to his preceptress and presented her the precious earrings. ‘Uttanka', said she, ‘thou hast arrived at the proper time, at the proper place. Welcome, art thee, my child; thou art truly innocent, and therefore I do not curse thee! Good fortune is even before thee. Let thy wishes be crowned with success!'
And finally, Uttanka waited on his preceptor. The Great Sage Veda, receiving Uttanka, said ‘Thou art most welcome dearest Uttanka! What hath occasioned thy long absence?’ And Uttanka replied, ‘My dear master, in the execution of this my duty, obstruction was offered by Takshaka, the King of serpents. Therefore, I had to go to the region of the Nagas. There I saw two damsels sitting at a loom, weaving a fabric with black and white threads. Pray, what was that? There likewise I beheld a wheel with twelve spokes ceaselessly turned by six boys. What too doth that import? Who is also the man that I saw? And what of the horse of extraordinary size likewise beheld by me? And when I was on the road, I also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was endearingly accosted thus, ‘Uttanka, eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten by thy master?’ So I ate of the dung of that bull according to his words. Who also was he O dear Master? I desire to hear all about those I encountered on my journey.'
And his preceptor thus addressed, said unto Uttanka, i) ‘The two damsels thou hast seen are Dhata and Vidhata; ii) the black and white threads denote night and day; iii) the wheel of twelve spokes turned by the six boys signified the year comprising six seasons. iv) The man is Parjanya, the deity of rain, and the horse is Agni, the god of fire. And so, the deities of rain and fire came to your aide. Then the bull that thou hast seen on the road is Airavata, the king of elephants; the man mounted thereon is Indra; and the dung of the bull which was eaten by thee was Amrita.
It was certainly for this and these personalities protecting you, that thou hast not met with death in the region of the Nagas; and Indra who is my friend, having been mercifully inclined, showed thee favour. It is for this that thou returnest safe, with the earrings. Then, O thou amiable one, dear Uttanka, I give thee leave to depart. Thou shall obtain all good fortune.'
Uttanka’s & Janamejaya’s Seed of Revenge on Takshaka
Uttanka, having obtained thus his master Vedas’ leave, remained still affected by that which had happened to him. And moved by anger, and resolved to avenge himself on the serpent Takshaka for having deceitfully taken the earrings from him, proceeded towards Hastinapura.
Uttanka soon reached Hastinapura, and waited on the King, Janamejaya who himself had just returned victorious from Takshyashila, on the instruction of his new preceptor Somashrava, the son of Srutashrava after the complications between his brothers and the celestial dog, Sarama. And Uttanka saw the victorious and majestic monarch, and descendant of the Pandavas, King Janamejaya, surrounded on all sides, by a rally of his ministers.
After pronouncing benedictions on him in a proper form, Uttanka addressed the monarch at the proper moment, in speech of correct accent and tone, saying, ‘O thou the best of monarchs! How is it, that thou spendest thy time, like a child, when there is another matter that urgently demandeth thy attention?” The monarch Janamejaya, thus addressed, saluting that excellent Brahmana replied to him as follows. ‘In cherishing my subjects, I discharge the duties of my noble tribe. Say, what is that deed to be done by me, and for which hath brought thee hither.'
Uttanka said, ‘O King! The business is thy own, that demandeth thy attention; therefore, do it, please. O thou King of Kings! Thy father, the great and noble Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu, and grandson of Arjuna, and he who was installed unto the throne, by none other than Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira, was deprived of his life by the great snake, Takshaka; Therefore, do thou avenge thy Father’s death, on that vile serpent. The time hath come, for the act of vengeance, that has been ordained by the Fates.
Go then, and avenge the death of thy magnanimous father who, being bitten without cause, by the vile serpent, was reduced to five elements even like a tree struck by thunder. Wicked in his deeds, he even caused the noble Sage, Kaśyapa, the prince of physicians, to run back when he was coming for the relief of thy Father. It behoveth thee to burn this wicked wretch in the blazing fire of a snake-sacrifice.
O King! Give instant orders for this sacrifice. It is thus thou canst avenge the death of thy Father. And a very great favour shall have also been shown to me, for by that malignant wretch, O virtuous Prince, my business also was, on one recent occasion, obstructed, while proceeding on account of my preceptor.” The monarch, having heard these words, was enraged, for the speech of the Brahmana had inflamed the King.
Moved by grief also, Janamejaya asked his ministers the particulars of his father’s journey to the regions of the blessed. And when he inquired further all about the circumstances of Parikshit’s death, from the lips of Uttanka, King Janamejaya was overcome with pain and sorrow, and so was thus sown the seed of vengeance.
And thus ends the Paushya Parva, of the Adi Parva
Janamejaya hence saw obstacle after obstacle; beginning with the curse of the celestial dog Sarama, and then with discovering the details of his Father’s death that were kept from him; Neither of these were his own doing or fault; they just happened to him. Being born in the Kshatriya, or warrior line, Janamejaya simply could not abstain from action. What would be his course of action, this will soon be revealed.
Veda leaving his hermitage, in what one would think would be a reasonably routine task, led eventually to the King, Janamejaya being approached by Veda’s disciple Uttanka, to exact revenge on one of the most powerful of snakes. Was it an over-reaction from Uttanka? Did he take things to personally? Should a sage not qualm such grievances? Or did it cross paths with another uncorrected wrong from the past?
In the minor disputes between Sage Uttanka and King Paushya, over cleanliness, could the curses have been avoided by the same forgiving attitude that could have averted the revenge against the snakes?
When Sage Uttanka was in pursuit of the earrings, taken from him by the snake Takshaka, it was only by the mercy of the Rain & Fire gods, that a simple Sage Uttanka, was able make the great serpent King, Takshaka flee in fear. Uttanka also had to abide to many challenging instructions along his journey. Previously, Uttanka had despite scriptural justifications from the women, refused connubial connection with Sage Veda’s wife, given his devotion to him and intuition of what is right and wrong. Uttanka’s humble attitude throughout, had pleased the gods, and this humble attitude was also characteristic of his guru Veda’s attitude.
The same Uttanka, then demanded revenge on Takshaka arising from his personal grievances.
It is with this nuance of Sage Uttanka, and a very human one, of personal turbulence in trying to maintain standards, that this short story closes.
To hear episodes like 'Uttanka Incites King Janamejaya’s Vengeance', you can find us on Amazon music, Apple podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favourite shows.
Comments