Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच स मित्रसहमासाद्य त्वभिज्ञानमयाचत तस्मै ददावभिज्ञानं स चेक्ष्वाकुवरस्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Returning to king Saudasa who was always well-disposed towards all his friends, Utanka solicited him for some sign. That foremost one of Ikshaku's race then gave him a sign.
सौदास उवाच न चैवैषा गतिः क्षेम्या न चान्या विद्यते गतिः एतन्मे मतमाज्ञाय प्रयच्छ मणिकुण्डले
M. N. Dutt: Saudasa said This my present condition is intolerable. I do not see any refuge. Knowing this to be my wish, do you give away the jewelled ear-rings.
वैशंपायन उवाच इत्युक्तस्तामुत्तङ्कस्तु भर्तुर्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् श्रुत्वा च सा ततः प्रादात्तस्मै ते मणिकुण्डले
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by the king, Utanka returned to the queen and reported to her the world of her husband. Hearing those words, the queen gave to Utanka her jewelled ear-rings.
अवाप्य कुण्डले ते तु राजानं पुनरब्रवीत् किमेतद्गुह्यवचनं श्रोतुमिच्छामि पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: Having got the ear-rings, Utanka returned to the king and said to him, 'I wish to hear, O king, what the meaning is of those mysterious words which you said as a sign to your queen.
सौदास उवाच प्रजा निसर्गाद्विप्रान्वै क्षत्रियाः पूजयन्ति ह विप्रेभ्यश्चापि बहवो दोषाः प्रादुर्भवन्ति नः
M. N. Dutt: Saudasa said Kshatriyas are seen to honour the Brahmanas from the very beginning of the creation. Towards the Brahmanas, however, many offences originate (on the part of the Kshatriyas).
सोऽहं द्विजेभ्यः प्रणतो विप्राद्दोषमवाप्तवान् गतिमन्यां न पश्यामि मदयन्तीसहायवान् स्वर्गद्वारस्य गमने स्थाने चेह द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: As for myself, I am always bent in humility before them. I am overtaken by a calamity through a Brahmana. Possessed of Madayanti, I do not see any other refuge.
Supplementary Passages:
14.57.6 B Dn1 D2-6 T G M3.4 ins. after 6d: M1.2 after 6c: *114 न चान्यामपि पश्यामि गतिं गतिमतां वर
न हि राज्ञा विशेषेण विरुद्धेन द्विजातिभिः शक्यं नृलोके संस्थातुं प्रेत्य वा सुखमेधितुम्
M. N. Dutt: It is impossible for a king that is hostile to Brahmanas to continue living in this world or in acquiring happiness in the next.
तदिष्टे ते मयैवैते दत्ते स्वे मणिकुण्डले यः कृतस्तेऽद्य समयः सफलं तं कुरुष्व मे
M. N. Dutt: Hence have I given you these my jewelled ear-rings which were coveted by you. Do you now keep the agreement which you have made with me today.
उत्तङ्क उवाच राजंस्तथेह कर्तास्मि पुनरेष्यामि ते वशम् प्रश्नं तु कंचित्प्रष्टुं त्वां व्यवसिष्ये परंतप
M. N. Dutt: Utanka said O king, I shall certainly carry out my promise. I shall truly return and place myself under your power. There is, however, a question, O scorcher of enemies which I wish to ask you.
सौदास उवाच ब्रूहि विप्र यथाकामं प्रतिवक्तास्मि ते वचः छेत्तास्मि संशयं तेऽद्य न मेऽत्रास्ति विचारणा
M. N. Dutt: Saudasa said Say, O learned Brahmana, what is in your mind. I shall certainly reply to your words. I shall remove whatever doubt may being your mind. I have no hesitation in this.
उत्तङ्क उवाच प्राहुर्वाक्संगतं मित्रं धर्मनैपुण्यदर्शिनः मित्रेषु यश्च विषमः स्तेन इत्येव तं विदुः
M. N. Dutt: Utanka said Those who are skilled in the rules of duty, say that Brahmanas are of controlled speech. One who acts wrongly towards friends is considered as vile as a thief.
स भवान्मित्रतामद्य संप्राप्तो मम पार्थिव स मे बुद्धिं प्रयच्छस्व समां बुद्धिमतां वर
M. N. Dutt: You, again, O king, have become my friend today. Do you then, O foremost of men, give me such advice as is approved by the wise.
अवाप्तार्थोऽहमद्येह भवांश्च पुरुषादकः भवत्सकाशमागन्तुं क्षमं मम न वेति वा
M. N. Dutt: As for myself, I have now obtained the fruition of my wishes. You, again, are a cannibal. Is it proper for me to return to you or not.
सौदास उवाच क्षमं चेदिह वक्तव्यं मया द्विजवरोत्तम मत्समीपं द्विजश्रेष्ठ नागन्तव्यं कथंचन
M. N. Dutt: Saudasa said If it is proper (for me), O foremost of superior Brahmanas, to say what you ask, I should then, O best of twice-born ones, tell you that you should never return to me.
एवं तव प्रपश्यामि श्रेयो भृगुकुलोद्वह आगच्छतो हि ते विप्र भवेन्मृत्युरसंशयम्
M. N. Dutt: O perpetuator of Bhrigu's race, by acting thus, you will secure your well-being. If you return, O learned Brahmana, you will surely meet with death.
वैशंपायन उवाच इत्युक्तः स तदा राज्ञा क्षमं बुद्धिमता हितम् समनुज्ञाप्य राजानमहल्यां प्रति जग्मिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by the intelligent king about what was beneficial for him, Utanka took leave of the king and set out for the presence of Ahalya.
गृहीत्वा कुण्डले दिव्ये गुरुपत्न्याः प्रियंकरः जवेन महता प्रायाद्गौतमस्याश्रमं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Desirous of doing what was agreeable to the wife of his preceptor, he took the ear-rings with him and started with great speed for reaching the hermitage of Gautama.
यथा तयो रक्षणं च मदयन्त्याभिभाषितम् तथा ते कुण्डले बद्ध्वा तथा कृष्णाजिनेऽनयत्
M. N. Dutt: Protecting them even in the manner directed by Madayanti, that is, binding them within the folds of his black, deer-skin, he proceeded on his way.
स कस्मिंश्चित्क्षुधाविष्टः फलभारसमन्वितम् बिल्वं ददर्श कस्मिंश्चिदारुरोह क्षुधान्वितः
M. N. Dutt: After he had proceeded for some distance, he became stricken with hunger. He there saw a Bilva tree covered down with the weight of (ripe) fruits. He climbed that tree.
शाखास्वासज्य तस्यैव कृष्णाजिनमरिंदम यस्मिंस्ते कुण्डले बद्धे तदा द्विजवरेण वै
AI Translation: The slayer of enemies tied the antelope skin to the branches of that tree. When those earrings were tied to that tree by the best of Brahmins,
Supplementary Passages:
14.57.20 After 20b, N T2 ins.: *115 पातयामास बिल्वानि तदा स द्विजपुंगवः अथ पातयमानस्य बिल्वापहृतचक्षुषः न्यपतंस्तानि बिल्वानि तस्मिन्नेवाजिने विभो Ś1 K1.3-5 B D (except Dc1) T2 ins. after 20: K2 cont. after 115*: *116 बिल्वप्रहारैस्तस्याथ व्यशीर्याद्बन्धनं तथा सकुण्डलं तदजिनं पपात सहसा तरोः
विशीर्णबन्धने तस्मिन्गते कृष्णाजिने महीम् अपश्यद्भुजगः कश्चित्ते तत्र मणिकुण्डले
M. N. Dutt: Suddenly that deer-skin, with the ear-rings in it, dropped down. When the know being unfastened, the deer-skin fell down on the ground, a snake who was there saw those jewelled ear-rings.
ऐरावतकुलोत्पन्नः शीघ्रो भूत्वा तदा स वै विदश्यास्येन वल्मीकं विवेशाथ स कुण्डले
AI Translation: Born in the family of Airāvata, he became swift. With his trunk, he dug up an anthill and entered it.
ह्रियमाणे तु दृष्ट्वा स कुण्डले भुजगेन ह पपात वृक्षात्सोद्वेगो दुःखात्परमकोपनः
AI Translation: When he saw the earrings being carried away by the serpent, he fell from the tree in distress, in great sorrow and anger.
स दण्डकाष्ठमादाय वल्मीकमखनत्तदा क्रोधामर्षाभितप्ताङ्गस्ततो वै द्विजपुंगवः
AI Translation: Then, taking a stick, he dug up an anthill. Then, with his body tormented by anger and resentment, the best of Brahmins,
Supplementary Passages:
14.57.24 Ś1 K1-3 B D (except D1) T2 ins. after 24b: K5 after 24: *117 अहानि त्रिंशदव्यग्रः पञ्च चान्यानि भारत
तस्य वेगमसह्यं तमसहन्ती वसुंधरा दण्डकाष्ठाभिनुन्नाङ्गी चचाल भृशमातुरा
M. N. Dutt: The goddess Earth, unable to bear the force of Utanka's walking staff and with body torn therewith, became greatly anxious.
ततः खनत एवाथ विप्रर्षेर्धरणीतलम् नागलोकस्य पन्थानं कर्तुकामस्य निश्चयात्
AI Translation: Then, while digging the ground for the brahmin sage, with the intention of creating a path to the world of the serpents,
रथेन हरियुक्तेन तं देशमुपजग्मिवान् वज्रपाणिर्महातेजा ददर्श च द्विजोत्तमम्
AI Translation: He approached that place in a chariot yoked to horses, The mighty Vajrapani saw the best of Brahmins.
स तु तं ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा तस्य दुःखेन दुःखितः उत्तङ्कमब्रवीत्तात नैतच्छक्यं त्वयेति वै
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana continued : LoO king like a Brahmana stricken with the sorrow of Utanka, the king of the celestials addressed him, saying, 'This (purpose of thine) is impracticable of being accomplished.
इतो हि नागलोको वै योजनानि सहस्रशः न दण्डकाष्ठसाध्यं च मन्ये कार्यमिदं तव
M. N. Dutt: The regions of the Nagas are thousands of Yojanas removed from this place. I think that your purpose is impossible of being achieved with your walking staff.
Supplementary Passages:
14.57.29 After 29b, K2 ins.: *118 यत्र ते कुण्डले नीते भुजगेन द्विजोत्तम
उत्तङ्क उवाच नागलोके यदि ब्रह्मन्न शक्ये कुण्डले मया प्राप्तुं प्राणान्विमोक्ष्यामि पश्यतस्ते द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Utanka said If, O Brahmana, the ear-rings be not recovered by me from the regions of the Nagas, I shall renounce my life-breaths before your eyes, O foremost of twice-born persons.
यदा स नाशकत्तस्य निश्चयं कर्तुमन्यथा वज्रपाणिस्तदा दण्डं वज्रास्त्रेण युयोज ह
M. N. Dutt: Vaishmpayana said When the thunder-armed Indra could not divert Utanka from his purpose, he united the latter's walking staff with the force of thunder.
ततो वज्रप्रहारैस्तैर्दार्यमाणा वसुंधरा नागलोकस्य पन्थानमकरोज्जनमेजय
M. N. Dutt: Then, O Janamejaya, the Earth, opening with those strokes having the force of thunder, gave way to the (nether) regions inhabited by the Nagas.
स तेन मार्गेण तदा नागलोकं विवेश ह ददर्श नागलोकं च योजनानि सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: By that path Utanka entered the world of Nagas. He saw that that region lying thousands of Yojanas on all sides.
प्राकारनिचयैर्दिव्यैर्मणिमुक्ताभ्यलंकृतैः उपपन्नं महाभाग शातकुम्भमयैस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, O blessed one, it had many walls made of pure gold and decked with jewels and gems.
वापीः स्फटिकसोपाना नदीश्च विमलोदकाः ददर्श वृक्षांश्च बहून्नानाद्विजगणायुतान्
M. N. Dutt: There were many flue tanks of water furnished with flights of stair-cases made of pure crystal, and many rivers of clear and transparent water. He saw also many trees with various species of birds perching on them.
तस्य लोकस्य च द्वारं ददर्श स भृगूद्वहः पञ्चयोजनविस्तारमायतं शतयोजनम्
M. N. Dutt: That perpetuator of Bhrigu's race saw the gate of that region which was full five Yojanas high and a hundred Yojanas in width.
नागलोकमुत्तङ्कस्तु प्रेक्ष्य दीनोऽभवत्तदा निराशश्चाभवत्तात कुण्डलाहरणे पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the regions of the Nagas, Utanka became very dispirited. Indeed, he despaired of getting back the ear-rings.
तत्र प्रोवाच तुरगस्तं कृष्णश्वेतवालधिः ताम्रास्यनेत्रः कौरव्य प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा
M. N. Dutt: Then there appeared to him a black horse with a white tail. His face and eyes were of a coppcry colour, O you of Kuru's race, and he secmed to blaze forth with energy.
धमस्वापानमेतन्मे ततस्त्वं विप्र लप्स्यसे ऐरावतसुतेनेह तवानीते हि कुण्डले
M. N. Dutt: Addressing Uttanka, he said, 'Do you blew into the Apana duct of my body. You will then, O learned Brahmana, get back your ear-rings which have been taken away by a descendant of Airvata's race.
मा जुगुप्सां कृथाः पुत्र त्वमत्रार्थे कथंचन त्वयैतद्धि समाचीर्णं गौतमस्याश्रमे तदा
M. N. Dutt: Do not hate to do my order, O son. You did it often at the hermitage of Gautama in former days.
उत्तङ्क उवाच कथं भवन्तं जानीयामुपाध्यायाश्रमं प्रति यन्मया चीर्णपूर्वं च श्रोतुमिच्छामि तद्ध्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: Utanka said How did I know you in the asylum of my preceptor? Indeed, I wish to hear how I did in those days what you order me to do now.
अश्व उवाच गुरोर्गुरुं मां जानीहि ज्वलितं जातवेदसम् त्वया ह्यहं सदा वत्स गुरोरर्थेऽभिपूजितः
AI Translation: The horse said: Know me to be the teacher of your teacher, the blazing Jātavedas. For you have always honored me for the sake of your teacher.
सततं पूजितो विप्र शुचिना भृगुनन्दन तस्माच्छ्रेयो विधास्यामि तवैवं कुरु मा चिरम्
AI Translation: O brahmin, O son of Bhrigu, you are always worshipped by the pure one. Therefore, I shall arrange for your welfare. Do this quickly.
इत्युक्तः स तथाकार्षीदुत्तङ्कश्चित्रभानुना घृतार्चिः प्रीतिमांश्चापि प्रजज्वाल दिधक्षया
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by the god of fire, Uttanka did as he was ordered. The deity then, pleased with him, blazed up for consuming everything.
ततोऽस्य रोमकूपेभ्यो ध्मायमानस्य भारत घनः प्रादुरभूद्धूमो नागलोकभयावहः
M. N. Dutt: From the pores of his body, O Bharata, on account of his very nature, a thick smoke came out threatening terrors to the world of Nagas.
तेन धूमेन सहसा वर्धमानेन भारत नागलोके महाराज न प्रज्ञायत किंचन
M. N. Dutt: With that powerful and wide-spreading smoke, O Bharata, everything became covered with darkness, so that nothing, O king, could any longer be seen in the world of the Nagas.
हाहाकृतमभूत्सर्वमैरावतनिवेशनम् वासुकिप्रमुखानां च नागानां जनमेजय
M. N. Dutt: Cries of woe were heard throughout the place of the Airavatas, uttered by the Nagas headed by Vasuki, O Janamejaya.
न प्रकाशन्त वेश्मानि धूमरुद्धानि भारत नीहारसंवृतानीव वनानि गिरयस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Covered by that smoke, the places could no longer be seen, O Bharata. These resembled forests and hills overwhelmed by a thick frost.
ते धूमरक्तनयना वह्नितेजोभितापिताः आजग्मुर्निश्चयं ज्ञातुं भार्गवस्यातितेजसः
M. N. Dutt: With eyes that were red on account of that smoke and afflicted by the energy of the god of fire, the Nagas came out of their palaces to the greet son of Bhrigu's race for determining what was the matter.
श्रुत्वा च निश्चयं तस्य महर्षेस्तिग्मतेजसः संभ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे पूजां चक्रुर्यथाविधि
M. N. Dutt: Having heard what the matter was from that ascetic of incomparable energy, all the Nagas, with fear depicted on their eyes, offered him their adorations according to due forms.
सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो नागा वृद्धबालपुरोगमाः शिरोभिः प्रणिपत्योचुः प्रसीद भगवन्निति
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, all the Nagas placing the old and the young ones before them, bowed to him with their heads and joining their hands addressed him, saying, 'Be pleased with us, O holy one.'
प्रसाद्य ब्राह्मणं ते तु पाद्यमर्घ्यं निवेद्य च प्रायच्छन्कुण्डले दिव्ये पन्नगाः परमार्चिते
M. N. Dutt: Having pleased that Brahmana and offered him water to wash his feet and the ingredients of the Arghya (for honouring him), the Nagas gave him those celestial and highly-adored earrings.
ततः संपूजितो नागैस्तत्रोत्तङ्कः प्रतापवान् अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा जगाम गुरुसद्म तत्
M. N. Dutt: Thus honoured by them, Utanka of great prowess, going round the god of fire, started for the hermitage of his preceptor,
स गत्वा त्वरितो राजन्गौतमस्य निवेशनम् प्रायच्छत्कुण्डले दिव्ये गुरुपत्न्यै तदानघ
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, going quickly to Gautama's hermitage, O king, he presented those earrings to the wife of his preceptor, O sinless one.
Supplementary Passages:
14.57.54 K4 D (except Dc1) ins. after 54: K5 after 54b: *119 वासुकिप्रमुखानां च नागानां जनमेजय सर्वं शशंस गुरवे यथावद्द्विजसत्तमः
एवं महात्मना तेन त्रीँल्लोकाञ्जनमेजय परिक्रम्याहृते दिव्ये ततस्ते मणिकुण्डले
M. N. Dutt: It was thus, O Janamejaya, that the great Utanka, having wandered through the three worlds, fetched, those jewelled ear-rings (for his preceptor's wife).
एवंप्रभावः स मुनिरुत्तङ्को भरतर्षभ परेण तपसा युक्तो यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: Of such prowess, O chief of Bharata's race, was the ascetic Utanka. So austere were the penances with which he was gifted. I have thus told you what you had asked me.