The Story of Uttanka, Gautama's Disciple

Verse 1 (skanda.7.386.1)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । आसीत्पूर्वं मुनिर्नाम्ना गौतमश्च महातपाः । अहिल्या दयिता तस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी

vasiṣṭha uvāca | āsītpūrvaṁ munirnāmnā gautamaśca mahātapāḥ | ahilyā dayitā tasya dharmapatnī yaśasvinī

Vasishtha said: Long ago there lived a sage named Gautama, of great austerity. His beloved and renowned lawful wife was Ahilya.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.386.2)

शिष्यानध्यापयामास स मुनिः शतशस्तदा । श्रुताध्ययनसंपन्नान्विससर्ज ततो गृहान्

śiṣyānadhyāpayāmāsa sa muniḥ śataśastadā | śrutādhyayanasaṁpannānvisasarja tato gṛhān

That sage taught hundreds of disciples. Once accomplished in the study of scripture, he sent them home.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.386.3)

तस्यान्योऽपि च यः शिष्यो गुरुभक्तिपरायणः । उत्तंको नाम मेधावी न्यवसत्तस्य मन्दिरे

tasyānyo'pi ca yaḥ śiṣyo gurubhaktiparāyaṇaḥ | uttaṅko nāma medhāvī nyavasattasya mandire

Yet another of his disciples, devoted to service of his teacher, an intelligent youth named Uttanka, continued to live in his house.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.386.4)

न तं विसर्जयामास जरयापि परिप्लुतम् । उत्तंकोऽपि सुशिष्यत्वान्नो वेत्ति पलितं शिरः

na taṁ visarjayāmāsa jarayāpi pariplutam | uttaṅko'pi suśiṣyatvānno vetti palitaṁ śiraḥ

Though grown grey with age, his teacher did not dismiss him, and Uttanka too, being so devoted a disciple, took no notice even of his own greying head.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.386.5)

जातकार्यसमायुक्तो विद्यापारंगतोऽपि सः । केनचित्त्वथ कालेन काष्ठार्थं स बहिर्ययौ

jātakāryasamāyukto vidyāpāraṅgato'pi saḥ | kenacittvatha kālena kāṣṭhārthaṁ sa bahiryayau

Though fully accomplished in learning, he remained occupied with household tasks. Once, in the course of time, he went out to gather firewood.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.386.6)

प्रभूतानि समादाय आश्रमं परमं गतः । अथासौ न्यक्षिपत्तत्र भूतले काष्ठसंचयम्

prabhūtāni samādāya āśramaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ | athāsau nyakṣipattatra bhūtale kāṣṭhasaṁcayam

Gathering a great quantity, he returned to the hermitage, and there set down the heap of firewood upon the ground.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.386.7)

काष्ठलग्नां तदा श्वेतां जटामेकां ददर्श सः । स दृष्ट्वा दुःखमापन्नः कृपणं पर्यचिन्तयत्

kāṣṭhalagnāṁ tadā śvetāṁ jaṭāmekāṁ dadarśa saḥ | sa dṛṣṭvā duḥkhamāpannaḥ kṛpaṇaṁ paryacintayat

Then he saw a single white hair clinging to the wood. Seeing it, he was struck with sorrow and reflected pitifully.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.386.8)

धिग्धिङ्मे जीवितं नष्टं कुतः कार्यरतस्य च । कलत्रसंग्रहं नैव मया कृतमबुद्धिना

dhigdhiṅme jīvitaṁ naṣṭaṁ kutaḥ kāryaratasya ca | kalatrasaṅgrahaṁ naiva mayā kṛtamabuddhinā

Shame, shame on me! My life has been wasted, for being ever occupied with duties, foolish that I am, I have not even taken a wife.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.386.9)

भविष्यति कुलच्छेदः शैथिल्यान्मम दुर्मतेः । गुरुपत्न्या च संदृष्ट उत्तंको दुःखितस्तदा

bhaviṣyati kulacchedaḥ śaithilyānmama durmateḥ | gurupatnyā ca saṁdṛṣṭa uttaṅko duḥkhitastadā

Through my negligence and foolishness my lineage will come to an end. At that moment the teacher's wife noticed the grieving Uttanka.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.386.10)

तस्य दुःखं तथा क्षिप्रं गौतमाय निवेदितम् । गौतमेन तथेत्युक्त्वा मृदुवाण्या स भाषितः

tasya duḥkhaṁ tathā kṣipraṁ gautamāya niveditam | gautamena tathetyuktvā mṛduvāṇyā sa bhāṣitaḥ

His sorrow was quickly reported to Gautama. Gautama, saying "so be it," spoke to him in a gentle voice.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.386.11)

वत्स गच्छ गृहं त्वं च अग्निहोत्रादिकाः क्रियाः । पालयस्व विधानेन पत्न्या सह न संशयः

vatsa gaccha gṛhaṁ tvaṁ ca agnihotrādikāḥ kriyāḥ | pālayasva vidhānena patnyā saha na saṁśayaḥ

My child, go home now, and duly perform the agnihotra and other rites together with a wife, without doubt.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.386.12)

इत्युक्तो गुरुणा सोऽपि प्रत्युवाच गुरुं प्रति । दक्षिणां प्रार्थय स्वामिन्नहं दास्याम्यसंशयम्

ityukto guruṇā so'pi pratyuvāca guruṁ prati | dakṣiṇāṁ prārthaya svāminnahaṁ dāsyāmyasaṁśayam

Thus addressed by his teacher, he replied to him: "O master, ask for your fee; I shall surely give it, without doubt."

Verse 13 (skanda.7.386.13)

गौतम उवाच । सेवा कृता त्वया वत्स महती मम सर्वदा । तेनैव परिपूर्णत्वं जातं मे नात्र संशयः

gautama uvāca | sevā kṛtā tvayā vatsa mahatī mama sarvadā | tenaiva paripūrṇatvaṁ jātaṁ me nātra saṁśayaḥ

Gautama said: My child, you have always rendered me great service. By that alone I am fully satisfied, without doubt.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.386.14)

उत्तंक उवाच । किंचिद्ग्राह्यं त्वया स्वामिन्सन्तोषो जायते मम । त्वत्प्रसादान्मुनिश्रेष्ठ विद्यापारंगतोऽस्म्यहम्

uttaṅka uvāca | kiṁcidgrāhyaṁ tvayā svāminsantoṣo jāyate mama | tvatprasādānmuniśreṣṭha vidyāpāraṅgato'smyaham

Uttanka said: O master, please accept something; that alone will satisfy me. O best of sages, it is by your grace that I have become accomplished in learning.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.386.15)

गौतम उवाच । न ग्राह्यं च मया पुत्र सन्तुष्टः सेवयास्म्यहम् । नेच्छाम्यहं धनं त्वत्तः सुखं गच्छ गृहं प्रति

gautama uvāca | na grāhyaṁ ca mayā putra santuṣṭaḥ sevayāsmyaham | necchāmyahaṁ dhanaṁ tvattaḥ sukhaṁ gaccha gṛhaṁ prati

Gautama said: I will accept nothing, my son; I am satisfied by your service. I desire no wealth from you; go home in peace.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.386.16)

इत्युक्तो गुरुणा सोऽपि मातरं चाभ्यभाषत । किंचिद्ग्राह्यं मया मातः सन्तोषो दीयतां मम

ityukto guruṇā so'pi mātaraṁ cābhyabhāṣata | kiṁcidgrāhyaṁ mayā mātaḥ santoṣo dīyatāṁ mama

Thus told by his teacher, he then addressed the teacher's wife: "Mother, accept something from me; grant me satisfaction."

Verse 17 (skanda.7.386.17)

गुरुपत्न्युवाच । सौदासं गच्छ पुत्र त्वं ममाज्ञां कुरु सत्वरम् । मदयन्ती प्रिया तस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी

gurupatnyuvāca | saudāsaṁ gaccha putra tvaṁ mamājñāṁ kuru satvaram | madayantī priyā tasya dharmapatnī yaśasvinī

The teacher's wife said: My son, go to King Saudasa and quickly carry out my command. His beloved and renowned lawful wife is Madayanti.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.386.18)

कुण्डलेऽथानय क्षिप्रं मदयन्त्याश्च पुत्रक । नो चेच्छापं प्रदास्यामि पञ्चमेऽह्नि न आगतः

kuṇḍale'thānaya kṣipraṁ madayantyāśca putraka | no cecchāpaṁ pradāsyāmi pañcame'hni na āgataḥ

My son, go quickly and bring me Madayanti's earrings; if you have not returned by the fifth day, I shall curse you.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.386.19)

इत्युक्तो गुरुपत्न्या स प्रस्थितः सत्वरं तदा । सौदासस्य गृहं प्राप व्याघ्रास्यं तं च दृष्टवान्

ityukto gurupatnyā sa prasthitaḥ satvaraṁ tadā | saudāsasya gṛhaṁ prāpa vyāghrāsyaṁ taṁ ca dṛṣṭavān

Thus addressed by the teacher's wife, he set out at once. Reaching Saudasa's dwelling, he beheld a tiger-faced being there.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.386.20)

दृष्ट्वा प्राह तदा विप्रं भक्षणार्थमुपस्थितम् । भक्षयिष्यामि वै विप्र त्वामहं नात्र संशयः

dṛṣṭvā prāha tadā vipraṁ bhakṣaṇārthamupasthitam | bhakṣayiṣyāmi vai vipra tvāmahaṁ nātra saṁśayaḥ

Seeing him, the creature, ready to devour, said to the brahmin: "O brahmin, I shall surely eat you, without doubt."

Verse 21 (skanda.7.386.21)

उत्तंक उवाच । अवश्यं भक्षय त्वं मामेकं शृणु नराधिप । देहि मे कुण्डले तात दत्त्वाऽहं गुरवे पुनः । आगमिष्यामि भक्षस्व मा त्वं कार्यविवर्जितम्

uttaṅka uvāca | avaśyaṁ bhakṣaya tvaṁ māmekaṁ śṛṇu narādhipa | dehi me kuṇḍale tāta dattvā'haṁ gurave punaḥ | āgamiṣyāmi bhakṣasva mā tvaṁ kāryavivarjitam

Uttanka said: You may certainly eat me, but hear one thing first, O lord of men. Grant me the earrings; having given them to my teacher, I shall return - then devour me, but do not deprive me of completing my task.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.386.22)

सौदास उवाच । गच्छ त्वं मन्दिरे दुर्गे यत्राऽऽस्ते दयिता मम । तां त्वमासाद्य यत्नेन जीवितव्यभयाद्द्विज

saudāsa uvāca | gaccha tvaṁ mandire durge yatrāste dayitā mama | tāṁ tvamāsādya yatnena jīvitavyabhayāddvija

Saudasa said: Go to that fortified dwelling where my beloved resides. O brahmin, for fear of your life, strive to reach her with care.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.386.23)

याच्यतां मम वाक्येन सा ते दास्यति कुण्डले । त्वया च नान्यथा कार्यं यत्सत्यं द्विजसत्तम

yācyatāṁ mama vākyena sā te dāsyati kuṇḍale | tvayā ca nānyathā kāryaṁ yatsatyaṁ dvijasattama

Ask her in my name; she will give you the earrings. O best of brahmins, you need do nothing else; this is the truth.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.386.24)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । मदयन्त्याः समीपं तु गत्वोवाच द्विजोत्तमः । देहि मे कुण्डले देवि सौदासस्त्वां समादिशत्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | madayantyāḥ samīpaṁ tu gatvovāca dvijottamaḥ | dehi me kuṇḍale devi saudāsastvāṁ samādiśat

Vasishtha said: Approaching Madayanti, that excellent brahmin said: "O lady, give me the earrings; Saudasa has instructed you thus."

Verse 25 (skanda.7.386.25)

मदयन्त्युवाच । सन्देहोऽद्यापि मे विप्र कुण्डले द्विजसत्तम । अभिज्ञानं त्वमानीय नृपस्य द्विज दर्शय

madayantyuvāca | sandeho'dyāpi me vipra kuṇḍale dvijasattama | abhijñānaṁ tvamānīya nṛpasya dvija darśaya

Madayanti said: O best of brahmins, I still have doubt about the earrings. O brahmin, bring some token from the king and show it to me.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.386.26)

स गत्वा त्वरितं भूपमभिज्ञानमयाचत

sa gatvā tvaritaṁ bhūpamabhijñānamayācata

He went quickly to the king and asked him for a token.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.386.27)

सौदास उवाच । यैर्विना सुगतिर्नास्ति दुर्गतिं ये नयंति वै । गत्वैवं ब्रूहि तां साध्वीं मम वाक्यं द्विजोत्तम । प्रदास्यति ततो नूनं कुण्डले रत्नमंडिते

saudāsa uvāca | yairvinā sugatirnāsti durgatiṁ ye nayanti vai | gatvaivaṁ brūhi tāṁ sādhvīṁ mama vākyaṁ dvijottama | pradāsyati tato nūnaṁ kuṇḍale ratnamaṇḍite

Saudasa said: "Those without whom there is no good destiny, and who lead one to a bad end" - O best of brahmins, go and repeat this saying of mine exactly to that virtuous lady; then she will surely give you the jewel-studded earrings.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.386.28)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । प्रत्यभिज्ञानमादाय गत्वा तस्यै न्यवेदयत्

vasiṣṭha uvāca | pratyabhijñānamādāya gatvā tasyai nyavedayat

Vasishtha said: Taking that token-saying, he went and reported it to her.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.386.29)

ततोऽसौ प्रददौ तस्मै गृह्ण मे कुण्डले द्विज । उवाच यत्नमास्थाय नीयतां द्विजसत्तम

tato'sau pradadau tasmai gṛhṇa me kuṇḍale dvija | uvāca yatnamāsthāya nīyatāṁ dvijasattama

Then she gave him the earrings, saying: "Take these earrings of mine, O brahmin. Carry them with great care, O best of brahmins."

Verse 30 (skanda.7.386.30)

एते च वांछते नित्यं तक्षको द्विज कुण्डले । स तथेति समादाय विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । कौतुकात्पुनरागत्य राजानं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

ete ca vāñchate nityaṁ takṣako dvija kuṇḍale | sa tatheti samādāya vismayotphullalocanaḥ | kautukātpunarāgatya rājānaṁ vākyamabravīt

"These earrings, O brahmin, Takshaka ever desires." Saying "so be it," he took them, his eyes wide with astonishment. Out of curiosity he returned again to the king and said this.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.386.31)

अभिज्ञानान्मया भूप सम्प्राप्ते दीप्तकुण्डले । वाक्यार्थस्तु न विज्ञातस्ततोऽहं पुनरागतः

abhijñānānmayā bhūpa samprāpte dīptakuṇḍale | vākyārthastu na vijñātastato'haṁ punarāgataḥ

O king, by your token I have obtained the shining earrings. But I did not understand the meaning of your saying, so I have come back again.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.386.32)

कौतुकाद्वद मे राजन्स्वकार्ये च यथास्थितम् । कैर्विना सुगतिर्नास्ति दुर्गतिं के नयंति च

kautukādvada me rājansvakārye ca yathāsthitam | kairvinā sugatirnāsti durgatiṁ ke nayanti ca

Out of curiosity, tell me, O king, the true meaning of your own words: without whom is there no good destiny, and who lead one to misfortune?

Verse 33 (skanda.7.386.33)

सौदास उवाच । आराधिता द्विजा विप्र भवंति सुगतिप्रदाः । असन्तुष्टा दुर्गतिदाः सद्यो मम यथा पुरा

saudāsa uvāca | ārādhitā dvijā vipra bhavanti sugatipradāḥ | asantuṣṭā durgatidāḥ sadyo mama yathā purā

Saudasa said: O brahmin, brahmins when honoured bestow a good destiny; when displeased, they at once bring about misfortune, as happened to me in the past.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.386.34)

एतावान्मम शापोऽयं वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । तेनोक्तं त्वां यदा कश्चित्प्रश्नं विख्यापयिष्यति

etāvānmama śāpo'yaṁ vasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ | tenoktaṁ tvāṁ yadā kaścitpraśnaṁ vikhyāpayiṣyati

This was the curse laid on me by the great soul Vasishtha. He had also said that when someone would ask you this question and bring the answer to light.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.386.35)

तदा दोषविनिर्मुक्तो भविष्यसि न संशयः । त्वत्प्रसादाद्विनिर्मुक्तो ह्यहं शापाद्द्विजोत्तम । सात्त्विकं धाम चापन्नो गच्छ विप्र नमोऽस्तु ते

tadā doṣavinirmukto bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ | tvatprasādādvinirmukto hyahaṁ śāpāddvijottama | sāttvikaṁ dhāma cāpanno gaccha vipra namo'stu te

then, without doubt, you will be freed from that fault. O best of brahmins, by your grace I am freed from the curse and have attained a state of sattva. Go now, O brahmin; salutations to you.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.386.36)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । उत्तंकस्तेन निर्मुक्तः सत्वरं पथमाश्रितः । गच्छंश्चातिक्षुधाविष्टोऽपश्यद्बिल्वफलानि सः

vasiṣṭha uvāca | uttaṅkastena nirmuktaḥ satvaraṁ pathamāśritaḥ | gacchaṁścātikṣudhāviṣṭo'paśyadbilvaphalāni saḥ

Vasishtha said: Released by him, Uttanka quickly set out on the road. As he walked, overcome by hunger, he saw bilva fruits.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.386.37)

ततः कृष्णाजिने बद्ध्वा कुण्डले न्यस्य भूतले । आरुरोह फलाकांक्षी स मुनिः क्षुधयाऽन्वितः

tataḥ kṛṣṇājine baddhvā kuṇḍale nyasya bhūtale | āruroha phalākāṅkṣī sa muniḥ kṣudhayā'nvitaḥ

Then, binding the earrings in a black antelope hide, he set them upon the ground, and, hungry and eager for the fruit, the sage climbed up the tree.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.386.38)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु तक्षकः पन्नगोत्तमः । गृहीत्वा कुण्डले तूर्णमगमद्दक्षिणामुखः

etasminneva kāle tu takṣakaḥ pannagottamaḥ | gṛhītvā kuṇḍale tūrṇamagamaddakṣiṇāmukhaḥ

At that very moment Takshaka, the best of serpents, seized the earrings and swiftly made off, facing southward.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.386.39)

अथोत्तंकः फलाहारी अवतीर्य धरातले । सर्वतोऽन्वेषयामास वेगेन महता वृतः

athottaṅkaḥ phalāhārī avatīrya dharātale | sarvato'nveṣayāmāsa vegena mahatā vṛtaḥ

Having eaten the fruit, Uttanka descended to the ground and, in great haste, searched everywhere for them.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.386.40)

स दृष्ट्वा सम्मुखं प्राप्तं समीपं पन्नगोत्तमः । प्रविवेश बिलं रौद्रमन्धकारेण संवृतम्

sa dṛṣṭvā sammukhaṁ prāptaṁ samīpaṁ pannagottamaḥ | praviveśa bilaṁ raudramandhakāreṇa saṁvṛtam

He saw the best of serpents, right before him nearby, enter a dreadful hole shrouded in darkness.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.386.41)

उत्तंकोऽपि बिलं प्राप्तः प्रविश्य तमसावृतम् । दण्डकाष्ठं समादाय कुपितोह्यखनत्तदा

uttaṅko'pi bilaṁ prāptaḥ praviśya tamasāvṛtam | daṇḍakāṣṭhaṁ samādāya kupito'hyakhanattadā

Uttanka too, reaching that darkness-covered hole, entered it, and, taking up a wooden staff, angrily began to dig.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.386.42)

तं तथा दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा सक्लेशं गुरुकार्यतः । वज्रमारोपयामास दण्डान्ते पाकशासनः

taṁ tathā duḥkhitaṁ dṛṣṭvā sakleśaṁ gurukāryataḥ | vajramāropayāmāsa daṇḍānte pākaśāsanaḥ

Seeing him so distressed, suffering for his teacher's sake, Indra, the Chastiser of Paka, fixed his thunderbolt upon the tip of the staff.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.386.43)

ततो विदारयामास स शीघ्रं धरणीतलम् । प्रविष्टश्चैव पातालं कुण्डलार्थं परिभ्रमन्

tato vidārayāmāsa sa śīghraṁ dharaṇītalam | praviṣṭaścaiva pātālaṁ kuṇḍalārthaṁ paribhraman

Then he swiftly split open the ground and entered the netherworld, wandering about in search of the earrings.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.386.44)

सोऽपश्यद्वाजिनं तत्र सर्वश्वेतं गुणान्वितम् । तेनोक्तः स्पृश मे गुह्यं ततः कार्यं भविष्यति

so'paśyadvājinaṁ tatra sarvaśvetaṁ guṇānvitam | tenoktaḥ spṛśa me guhyaṁ tataḥ kāryaṁ bhaviṣyati

There he saw an entirely white horse, endowed with excellence, who said to him: "Touch my secret part; then your task will be accomplished."

Verse 45 (skanda.7.386.45)

स चकार तथा शीघ्रं ततो धूमो व्यजायत । पातालं तेन सर्वत्र व्याप्तं भूधरवह्निना

sa cakāra tathā śīghraṁ tato dhūmo vyajāyata | pātālaṁ tena sarvatra vyāptaṁ bhūdharavahninā

He did so at once, and thereupon smoke arose; by that mountain-like fire the whole netherworld was pervaded.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.386.46)

ततश्च व्याकुलाः सर्वे पन्नगाः समुपाद्रवन् । तक्षकं पुरतः कृत्वा संप्राप्ताः कुण्डलान्विताः । उत्तंकाय ततो दत्त्वा प्रणिपत्य ययुर्गृहम्

tataśca vyākulāḥ sarve pannagāḥ samupādravan | takṣakaṁ purataḥ kṛtvā samprāptāḥ kuṇḍalānvitāḥ | uttaṅkāya tato dattvā praṇipatya yayurgṛham

Then all the terrified serpents, putting Takshaka in front, came there bringing the earrings. Handing them over to Uttanka and bowing to him, they returned to their homes.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.386.47)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । अथाश्वस्तमुवाचेदमहमग्निर्द्विजोत्तम । यस्त्वयाऽऽराधितः पूर्वमुपाध्यायनिदेशतः

vasiṣṭha uvāca | athāśvastamuvācedamahamagnirdvijottama | yastvayārādhitaḥ pūrvamupādhyāyanideśataḥ

Vasishtha said: Then, once he was reassured, he said this: "O best of brahmins, I am Agni, whom you formerly worshipped at your teacher's command."

Verse 48 (skanda.7.386.48)

ज्ञात्वा त्वां दुःखितं प्राप्तमिह प्राप्तः कृपापरः । सर्वथा त्वं च मे पृष्ठं भगवञ्छीघ्रमारुह

jñātvā tvāṁ duḥkhitaṁ prāptamiha prāptaḥ kṛpāparaḥ | sarvathā tvaṁ ca me pṛṣṭhaṁ bhagavañchīghramāruha

Knowing you to be in distress, I have come here out of compassion. O revered one, mount quickly upon my back.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.386.49)

नयामि तत्र यत्रास्ते गुरुः सर्वगुणालयः । आरूढस्तस्य पृष्ठे स प्रतस्थे ह्याश्रमं प्रति

nayāmi tatra yatrāste guruḥ sarvaguṇālayaḥ | ārūḍhastasya pṛṣṭhe sa pratasthe hyāśramaṁ prati

I shall take you there where your teacher, the abode of all virtues, dwells. Mounted upon his back, he set forth toward the hermitage.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.386.50)

तत्क्षणात्समनुप्राप्तो गौतमस्य निवेशनम् । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु अहिल्या कृतमण्डना

tatkṣaṇātsamanuprāpto gautamasya niveśanam | etasminneva kāle tu ahilyā kṛtamaṇḍanā

In that very instant he arrived at Gautama's dwelling. At that same time Ahilya, having adorned herself.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.386.51)

स्नाता चाभ्येत्य भर्तारं साध्वी वाक्यमुवाच ह । उत्तंकोऽद्य न सम्प्राप्तः शापं दास्याम्यहं ध्रुवम्

snātā cābhyetya bhartāraṁ sādhvī vākyamuvāca ha | uttaṅko'dya na samprāptaḥ śāpaṁ dāsyāmyahaṁ dhruvam

and having bathed, that virtuous lady approached her husband and said: "Uttanka has not returned yet today; I shall surely curse him."

Verse 52 (skanda.7.386.52)

शिथिलो गुरुकृत्येषु स यदालक्षितो मया । तस्या वाक्यावसाने तु उत्तंकः पर्यदृश्यत

śithilo gurukṛtyeṣu sa yadālakṣito mayā | tasyā vākyāvasāne tu uttaṅkaḥ paryadṛśyata

for I have observed him negligent in his teacher's duties. As she finished speaking these words, Uttanka appeared before them.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.386.53)

प्रसन्नवदनो हृष्टः कुण्डलाभ्यां समन्वितः । प्रणिपत्य स तां भक्त्या कुण्डले संन्यवेदयत्

prasannavadano hṛṣṭaḥ kuṇḍalābhyāṁ samanvitaḥ | praṇipatya sa tāṁ bhaktyā kuṇḍale saṁnyavedayat

With a joyful countenance, delighted, and bearing the earrings, he bowed to her with devotion and presented her the earrings.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.386.54)

सा दृष्ट्वा तत्क्षणात्साध्वी कर्णाभ्यां संन्यवेशयत् । स्वगृहाय ततस्तूर्णमुत्तंकं विससर्ज ह

sā dṛṣṭvā tatkṣaṇātsādhvī karṇābhyāṁ saṁnyaveśayat | svagṛhāya tatastūrṇamuttaṅkaṁ visasarja ha

Seeing them, that virtuous lady at once put them in her ears, and then promptly sent Uttanka off to his own home.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.386.55)

वसिष्ठ उवाच । एवं स विवरो जातस्तक्षकोत्तंककारणात् । यथा मे चिन्त्यते नित्यं धेन्वर्थं श्वभ्रपूरणे

vasiṣṭha uvāca | evaṁ sa vivaro jātastakṣakottaṅkakāraṇāt | yathā me cintyate nityaṁ dhenvarthaṁ śvabhrapūraṇe

Vasishtha said: Thus this chasm came into being on account of Takshaka and Uttanka, the very one I have long been thinking to fill for my cow's sake.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.386.56)

तस्मात्त्वं पूरय क्षिप्रं नान्यः शक्तोऽत्र कर्मणि । शीघ्रं कुरु नगश्रेष्ठ मम कार्यमसंशयम्

tasmāttvaṁ pūraya kṣipraṁ nānyaḥ śakto'tra karmaṇi | śīghraṁ kuru nagaśreṣṭha mama kāryamasaṁśayam

Therefore fill it quickly; no other is capable of this task. O best of mountains, accomplish my work swiftly, without doubt.