14.055
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said.
उत्तङ्कः केन तपसा संयुक्तः सुमहातपाः। यः शापं दातुकामोऽभूद्विष्णवे प्रभविष्णवे ॥१४-५५-१॥
By what austerity was Uttaṅka, of great austerity, enabled, who became desirous to pronounce a curse on Viṣṇu, the all-powerful Viṣṇu? (14-55-1)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
उत्तङ्को महता युक्तस्तपसा जनमेजय। गुरुभक्तः स तेजस्वी नान्यं कञ्चिदपूजयत् ॥१४-५५-२॥
Uttaṅka, endowed with great austerity and devoted to his teacher, O Janamejaya, was energetic and honored no one else. (14-55-2)
सर्वेषामृषिपुत्राणामेष चासीन्मनोरथः। औत्तङ्कीं गुरुवृत्तिं वै प्राप्नुयामिति भारत ॥१४-५५-३॥
O Bhārata, of all the sons of sages, this was their wish: "May we indeed attain the conduct toward the teacher as was that of Uttaṅka." (14-55-3)
गौतमस्य तु शिष्याणां बहूनां जनमेजय। उत्तङ्केऽभ्यधिका प्रीतिः स्नेहश्चैवाभवत्तदा ॥१४-५५-४॥
But, O Janamejaya, among Gautama's many disciples, a greater affection and love arose for Uttaṅka at that time. (14-55-4)
स तस्य दमशौचाभ्यां विक्रान्तेन च कर्मणा। सम्यक्चैवोपचारेण गौतमः प्रीतिमानभूत् ॥१४-५५-५॥
Gautama became pleased with him due to his restraint and purity, heroic deeds, and proper service. (14-55-5)
अथ शिष्यसहस्राणि समनुज्ञाय गौतमः। उत्तङ्कं परया प्रीत्या नाभ्यनुज्ञातुमैच्छत ॥१४-५५-६॥
Then, after granting leave to thousands of disciples, Gautama, out of great affection, did not wish to let Uttaṅka go. (14-55-6)
तं क्रमेण जरा तात प्रतिपेदे महामुनिम्। न चान्वबुध्यत तदा स मुनिर्गुरुवत्सलः ॥१४-५५-७॥
O dear, gradually old age approached that great sage. But at that time, the sage, devoted to his teacher, did not notice it. (14-55-7)
ततः कदाचिद्राजेन्द्र काष्ठान्यानयितुं ययौ। उत्तङ्कः काष्ठभारं च महान्तं समुपानयत् ॥१४-५५-८॥
Then once, O king, Uttaṅka went to fetch wood, and he brought back a very great load of wood. (14-55-8)
स तु भाराभिभूतात्मा काष्ठभारमरिंदम। निष्पिपेष क्षितौ राजन्परिश्रान्तो बुभुक्षितः ॥१४-५५-९॥
But he, overwhelmed by the burden, carrying the load of wood, O subduer of enemies, exhausted and hungry, crushed it on the ground, O king. (14-55-9)
तस्य काष्ठे विलग्नाभूज्जटा रूप्यसमप्रभा। ततः काष्ठैः सह तदा पपात धरणीतले ॥१४-५५-१०॥
His matted hair, shining like silver, became stuck on the wood. Then, along with the wood, it fell to the surface of the earth. (14-55-10)
ततः स भारनिष्पिष्टः क्षुधाविष्टश्च भार्गवः। दृष्ट्वा तां वयसोऽवस्थां रुरोदार्तस्वरं तदा ॥१४-५५-११॥
Then Bhārgava, crushed by burden and overcome by hunger, upon seeing her aged condition, cried out in a distressed voice at that time. (14-55-11)
ततो गुरुसुता तस्य पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणा। जग्राहाश्रूणि सुश्रोणी करेण पृथुलोचना ॥ पितुर्नियोगाद्धर्मज्ञा शिरसावनता तदा ॥१४-५५-१२॥
Then the teacher's daughter, whose eyes resembled lotus petals, the large-eyed and beautiful-hipped maiden, by her father's instruction and knowing what is right, bowed her head and took the tears with her hand. (14-55-12)
तस्या निपेततुर्दग्धौ करौ तैरश्रुबिन्दुभिः। न हि तानश्रुपातान्वै शक्ता धारयितुं मही ॥१४-५५-१३॥
Her burnt hands fell to the ground with those tear-drops. Indeed, the earth was unable to bear the torrents of her tears. (14-55-13)
गौतमस्त्वब्रवीद्विप्रमुत्तङ्कं प्रीतमानसः। कस्मात्तात तवाद्येह शोकोत्तरमिदं मनः ॥ स स्वैरं ब्रूहि विप्रर्षे श्रोतुमिच्छामि ते वचः ॥१४-५५-१४॥
But Gautama, with a pleased mind, said to the Brāhmaṇa Uttaṅka: 'Why, dear one, is your mind today here appearing as if it has overcome grief? Tell me that freely, O best among Brāhmaṇas; I wish to hear your words.' (14-55-14)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttaṅka said.
भवद्गतेन मनसा भवत्प्रियचिकीर्षया। भवद्भक्तिगतेनेह भवद्भावानुगेन च ॥१४-५५-१५॥
With a mind fixed on you, motivated by the desire to do what pleases you, abiding here with devotion to you, and following your nature. (14-55-15)
जरेयं नावबुद्धा मे नाभिज्ञातं सुखं च मे। शतवर्षोषितं हि त्वं न मामभ्यनुजानथाः ॥१४-५५-१६॥
May I grow old, with neither understanding nor known happiness by me; though you have lived with me a hundred years, you do not permit me. (14-55-16)
भवता ह्यभ्यनुज्ञाताः शिष्याः प्रत्यवरा मया। उपपन्ना द्विजश्रेष्ठ शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥१४-५५-१७॥
O best of the twice-born, at your permission, I have accepted inferior students—by the hundreds and by the thousands. (14-55-17)
गौतम उवाच॥
Gautama said.
त्वत्प्रीतियुक्तेन मया गुरुशुश्रूषया तव। व्यतिक्रामन्महान्कालो नावबुद्धो द्विजर्षभ ॥१४-५५-१८॥
O best of the twice-born, by me, who served the guru with devotion joined to your pleasure, a great period of time passed unnoticed. (14-55-18)
किं त्वद्य यदि ते श्रद्धा गमनं प्रति भार्गव। अनुज्ञां गृह्य मत्तस्त्वं गृहान्गच्छस्व मा चिरम् ॥१४-५५-१९॥
O Bhārgava, if today you have faith in departing, then, having received permission from me, go home without delay. (14-55-19)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttanka said.
गुर्वर्थं कं प्रयच्छामि ब्रूहि त्वं द्विजसत्तम। तमुपाकृत्य गच्छेयमनुज्ञातस्त्वया विभो ॥१४-५५-२०॥
O best of the twice-born, for the sake of the teacher, what shall I give? Please tell me, O lord; having served him, I shall go with your permission. (14-55-20)
गौतम उवाच॥
Gautama said.
दक्षिणा परितोषो वै गुरूणां सद्भिरुच्यते। तव ह्याचरतो ब्रह्मंस्तुष्टोऽहं वै न संशयः ॥१४-५५-२१॥
Offering is indeed said by the good to be the satisfaction of teachers. By your actions, O Brahman, I am truly satisfied—there is no doubt about it. (14-55-21)
इत्थं च परितुष्टं मां विजानीहि भृगूद्वह। युवा षोडशवर्षो हि यदद्य भविता भवान् ॥१४-५५-२२॥
Thus, know me to be satisfied, O best of the Bhṛgus. You will become a youth of sixteen years today. (14-55-22)
ददामि पत्नीं कन्यां च स्वां ते दुहितरं द्विज। एतामृते हि नान्या वै त्वत्तेजोऽर्हति सेवितुम् ॥१४-५५-२३॥
I give you my wife, maiden and daughter, O Brahmin. Truly, except for her, no other is worthy of being united with your splendor. (14-55-23)
ततस्तां प्रतिजग्राह युवा भूत्वा यशस्विनीम्। गुरुणा चाभ्यनुज्ञातो गुरुपत्नीमथाब्रवीत् ॥१४-५५-२४॥
Then, having become a youth, he accepted the illustrious woman; having been permitted by the teacher, he then spoke to the teacher's wife. (14-55-24)
किं भवत्यै प्रयच्छामि गुर्वर्थं विनियुङ्क्ष्व माम्। प्रियं हि तव काङ्क्षामि प्राणैरपि धनैरपि ॥१४-५५-२५॥
What shall I give you? For the sake of the teacher, appoint me. I indeed desire your cherished thing, even at the cost of my life or my wealth. (14-55-25)
यद्दुर्लभं हि लोकेऽस्मिन्रत्नमत्यद्भुतं भवेत्। तदानयेयं तपसा न हि मेऽत्रास्ति संशयः ॥१४-५५-२६॥
Whatever extremely rare and marvelous gem there may be in this world—such a thing I am sure I can obtain through austerity. I have no doubt about this. (14-55-26)
अहल्योवाच॥
Ahalya said.
परितुष्टास्मि ते पुत्र नित्यं भगवता सह। पर्याप्तये तद्भद्रं ते गच्छ तात यथेच्छकम् ॥१४-५५-२७॥
I am always satisfied with you, my son, along with the Lord. May that blessing be yours; go, dear one, as you wish. (14-55-27)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
उत्तङ्कस्तु महाराज पुनरेवाब्रवीद्वचः। आज्ञापयस्व मां मातः कर्तव्यं हि प्रियं तव ॥१४-५५-२८॥
But Uttaṅka, O great king, again spoke words: "Instruct me, O mother, in what should be done that is dear to you." (14-55-28)
अहल्योवाच॥
Ahalya said.
सौदासपत्न्या विदिते दिव्ये वै मणिकुण्डले। ते समानय भद्रं ते गुर्वर्थः सुकृतो भवेत् ॥१४-५५-२९॥
Once the divine jeweled earrings have become known by Saudāsa's wife, bring them for yourself; may it be auspicious for you, and may your task for the teacher be well accomplished. (14-55-29)
स तथेति प्रतिश्रुत्य जगाम जनमेजय। गुरुपत्नीप्रियार्थं वै ते समानयितुं तदा ॥१४-५५-३०॥
Janamejaya, having agreed and having made the promise, then went to bring for the guru's wife what she desired. (14-55-30)
स जगाम ततः शीघ्रमुत्तङ्को ब्राह्मणर्षभः। सौदासं पुरुषादं वै भिक्षितुं मणिकुण्डले ॥१४-५५-३१॥
Then Uttaṅka, the eminent Brāhmaṇa, quickly went to Saudāsa the man-eater to beg for the bejeweled earrings. (14-55-31)
गौतमस्त्वब्रवीत्पत्नीमुत्तङ्को नाद्य दृश्यते। इति पृष्टा तमाचष्ट कुण्डलार्थं गतं तु वै ॥१४-५५-३२॥
But Gautama said to his wife, "Uttaṅka is not seen today." When asked thus, she told him, "(He) has certainly gone for the sake of the earrings." (14-55-32)
ततः प्रोवाच पत्नीं स न ते सम्यगिदं कृतम्। शप्तः स पार्थिवो नूनं ब्राह्मणं तं वधिष्यति ॥१४-५५-३३॥
Then he said to his wife, "You have not done this properly. Having been cursed, that king will surely kill the Brāhmaṇa." (14-55-33)
अहल्योवाच॥
Ahalya said.
अजानन्त्या नियुक्तः स भगवन्ब्राह्मणोऽद्य मे। भवत्प्रसादान्न भयं किञ्चित्तस्य भविष्यति ॥१४-५५-३४॥
O revered one, the brāhmaṇa who was appointed by me today out of ignorance—by your grace, no fear at all will befall him. (14-55-34)
इत्युक्तः प्राह तां पत्नीमेवमस्त्विति गौतमः। उत्तङ्कोऽपि वने शून्ये राजानं तं ददर्श ह ॥१४-५५-३५॥
Thus addressed, Gautama said to his wife, "Let it be so." Uttaṅka, too, saw the king in the empty forest. (14-55-35)
