14.054
Uttaṅka said.
O Janardana, I recognize you as the creator of the world. Truly, this is your grace—of this, I have no doubt. (14-54-1)
Know, O Acyuta, that my mind is very serene, absorbed in devotion to you, and that my anger has been withdrawn, O scorcher of foes. (14-54-2)
O Janārdana, if I am in any way worthy of your favour from you, I wish to see your divine form—show me that. (14-54-3)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, with a pleased mind, he showed to him that eternal Viṣṇu form, which the wise Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) beheld. (14-54-4)
He saw the great-souled, universal-form, mighty-armed one. Having seen that divine form, the brāhmaṇa became filled with astonishment. (14-54-5)
Uttaṅka said.
O Viśvakarman, salutations to you! Such is your form, by whose feet the earth is pervaded and by whose head the sky is covered. (14-54-6)
O Acyuta, that which is the middle of heaven and earth is covered by your belly; and with your two arms, you support and cover this entire universe.
O Lord, withdraw again your supreme imperishable form. I desire to see you once more in your own eternal form. (14-54-8)
Vaiśampāyana said.
O Janamejaya, Govinda with a serene mind said to him, "Choose a boon." Then, Uttaṅka spoke these words to him. (14-54-9)
This boon from you today is sufficient, O greatly radiant one. That form of yours, O Kṛṣṇa, I see as the source and dissolution. (14-54-10)
Kṛṣṇa again said to him, "Do not deliberate here. This certainly must be done; my sight is unfailing." (14-54-11)
Uttaṅka said.
O lord, if you consider this necessary to be accomplished, I desire water at the desired place, for in the deserts this is indeed difficult to obtain. (14-54-12)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having withdrawn that radiance, the Lord addressed Uttaṅka, saying: 'When the worship is to be performed, I am to be meditated upon thus.' Having said so, he went to Dvārakā. (14-54-13)
Then, once, the revered Uttaṅka, desiring water, wandered thirsty in the desert and remembered Acyuta. (14-54-14)
Then the wise man saw, in that desert, an elephant who was naked and dirty, covered with filth and mire, and surrounded by a pack of dogs. (14-54-15)
The eminent Brahmin saw a great amount of water below the current, along with a terrible figure bearing a sword, arrows, and a bow. (14-54-16)
The elephant, as if smiling and recalling him, said: "Come, Uttanka, receive water from me, O carrier of Bhrigu. Indeed, my compassion is very great, having seen you afflicted by thirst." (14-54-17)
Thus addressed by him, the sage did not accept that water, and the wise one rebuked Acyuta with harsh words. (14-54-18)
Repeatedly, the elephant said to him, "Drink." But, filled with anger and an agitated mind, he did not drink. (14-54-19)
He, O great king, thus being rejected with resolve by the great-souled one, disappeared there itself together with the dogs. (14-54-20)
Uttaṅka, seeing him that way, then, feeling ashamed, thought that Kṛṣṇa, the destroyer of enemies, had deceived him. (14-54-21)
Then, by that very path, the mighty-armed bearer of the conch, discus, and mace came, and Uttanka spoke to him. (14-54-22)
It is not proper for you, O best of men, to give such water to the chief Brāhmaṇas by the elephant's stream, O excellent one. (14-54-23)
Thus, after being addressed, Janardana, the intelligent and greatly wise one, soothed Uttanka with gentle words and spoke as follows. (14-54-24)
Whatever sort of form here is properly to be given according to the vow, that very thing has truly been given by me, but you do not understand that. (14-54-25)
Vajrapāṇi Purandara (Indra) has, in fact, been told by me on your behalf: 'Give nectar in the form of water to Uttanka,' so said the lord. (14-54-26)
Indra said to me, "A mortal cannot attain immortality; repeatedly give him another boon instead, O son of Bṛgu." (14-54-27)
“Nectar is to be given”—thus indeed I spoke, and that Śacī’s lord (Indra), having pleased me, Indra, again spoke this. (14-54-28)
If it must indeed be given, O greatly radiant one, I, as an elephant, will become nectar and give it to the great Bhārgava. (14-54-29)
If Bhargava accepts the nectar of immortality today, indeed, then I go to give this nectar to Bhargava, O Lord. But I have been rejected by him; he said, 'I shall not give,' O Bhargava. (14-54-30)
He, having thus made an agreement, Indra appeared in that form; even as he offered nectar, he was rejected by you. The Lord, in the form of a caṇḍāla—this was a very great transgression of yours. (14-54-31)
But whatever else is possible for me to do, I will surely fulfill your further desire; I will make your yearning for water, O irresistible one, successful. (14-54-32)
O Brahman, on those days when you desire water, then in the desert there will be clouds full of water. (14-54-33)
O son of Bhṛgu, they will give forth water like sap. Those called 'Uttanka clouds' will also attain fame. (14-54-34)
Thus addressed by Kṛṣṇa, the joyful brahmin became so indeed. Even today, O Bhārata, the clouds of Uttaṅka rain in the desert. (14-54-35)
