13.139
Vāyu spoke;
In former times, King Aṅga, wishing truly to give this earth as a sacrificial gift to the Brāhmaṇas, O king, then went to the earth with concern. (13-139-1)
Having obtained the earth as a boon for all beings, how does this king wish to give me, the daughter of Brahmā, to the twice-born? (13-139-2)
He, having abandoned (the body), said, "I shall go to the state of being the earth, the station of Brahman. May this king, together with his kingdom, not be thus (fall into my state)." Then he departed. (13-139-3)
Then Kaśyapa, seeing the earth moving away at that time, immediately, with concentrated mind, abandoned his body and entered into the earth. (13-139-4)
She was obstructed on all sides and was filled with grass and herbs; surpassing in dharma and free from fear, the earth then existed, O king. (13-139-5)
O king, thus Kaśyapa of great vows, for thirty thousand divine years, ruled the earth untiringly. (13-139-6)
Then, O great king, having come and having bowed to Kaśyapa, Pṛthivī, the daughter of Kaśyapa, was born as his daughter, that of the great-souled one. (13-139-7)
O king, this brāhmaṇa Kaśyapa was such as this indeed. Or you may mention another kṣatriya as your choice apart from Kaśyapa. (13-139-8)
The king fell silent, but the wind spoke again: "Listen, O king, about Utathya, who was born in the family of Aṅgiras." (13-139-9)
Bhadra, the daughter of Soma, was regarded as supreme in beauty. As her equal husband, Soma saw Utathya. (13-139-10)
She, the exceedingly fortunate and renowned woman, performed intense austerity. At that time, for that reason, she restrained the exceedingly fortunate Utathya. (13-139-11)
Then, having called, he gave the illustrious woman here to Utathya; for the sake of a wife, he accepted her according to the proper rites, with abundant gifts. (13-139-12)
Varuṇa, the prosperous one, had already desired her before. Then he went to the forest hermitage on the Yamunā and carried her away. (13-139-13)
But the lord of waters, having taken her away, brought her to his own city—a pond, astonishing in form, consisting of six hundred thousand (waves or pools). (13-139-14)
There is indeed nothing more delightful than that best of cities, adorned with palaces, apsarases, and divine pleasures. There, O king, the lord of waters enjoyed together with her. (13-139-15)
Then, the oppression of (his) wife was reported to Utathya. Having heard everything from Nārada, Utathya spoke to Nārada at that time. (13-139-16)
He said, "Go and speak harsh words to Varuṇa: From my command, release my wife; or for what reason have you taken her?" (13-139-17)
You are the protector of the worlds, not their destroyer. My wife, given to me by Soma, has indeed been taken away by you today. (13-139-18)
Thus, when addressed by Nārada's words, the lord of waters was told, "Release Utathya's wife." Then Varuṇa said to him, "She is my most beloved wife; I am not able to release her." (13-139-19)
Thus, after being addressed by Varuṇa, Nārada approached that sage Utathya and spoke these words, appearing not very pleased. (13-139-20)
Having been seized by the neck and thrown by Varuṇa, O great sage, he does not give your wife to you. Do that task which is yours. (13-139-21)
Hearing Nārada’s words, the fiery and angry Aṅgirāḥ, the great ascetic, forcefully drank water after restraining himself. (13-139-22)
As all the water was being drunk, the lord of waters, even when thrown by his friends, did not let go of her at all at that time. (13-139-23)
Then the eminent Brāhmaṇa Utathya, being angry, said to the earth: "O good one, show the place with six-thousand lakes." (13-139-24)
Then, that region became a desert and the ocean withdrew. From that land, and also about the river, that distinguished Brāhmaṇa described it. (13-139-25)
Go unseen, O timid one, O Sarasvati, towards the desert. Let this land, having been abandoned by you, O auspicious one, become unholy. (13-139-26)
In that devastated place, the water-bearer took Bhadra and, having gone, gave his wife to Aṅgirasa as a refuge. (13-139-27)
But having accepted her as his wife, Utathya became pleased; and he released both Varuṇa and Haihaya from the suffering of the world. (13-139-28)
Then, having obtained her as his wife, Utathya—the knower of dharma and possessing great brilliance—said this to Varuṇa; hear what that is, O king. (13-139-29)
"O lord of waters, this woman has been obtained by me through austerity while you were crying." Saying thus, he took her and went to his own house. (13-139-30)
This, O king, is Utathya, indeed of such sort, the foremost among Brāhmaṇas. I will speak, or if you wish, you may speak: from Utathya, ask a boon for a Kṣatriya. (13-139-31)
