14.057
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
स मित्रसहमासाद्य त्वभिज्ञानमयाचत। तस्मै ददावभिज्ञानं स चेक्ष्वाकुवरस्तदा ॥१४-५७-१॥
He, having approached together with Mitrasaha, requested your token of recognition. To him, the best of the Ikṣvākus then gave the token of recognition. (14-57-1)
सौदास उवाच॥
Saudāsa said.
न चैवैषा गतिः क्षेम्या न चान्या विद्यते गतिः। एतन्मे मतमाज्ञाय प्रयच्छ मणिकुण्डले ॥१४-५७-२॥
This way is not safe, and there is no other way. Understanding this as my opinion, hand over the jeweled earrings. (14-57-2)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
इत्युक्तस्तामुत्तङ्कस्तु भर्तुर्वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्। श्रुत्वा च सा ततः प्रादात्तस्मै ते मणिकुण्डले ॥१४-५७-३॥
Thus addressed, Uttaṅka then spoke to her the master's command. And having heard, she then gave him those gem earrings. (14-57-3)
अवाप्य कुण्डले ते तु राजानं पुनरब्रवीत्। किमेतद्गुह्यवचनं श्रोतुमिच्छामि पार्थिव ॥१४-५७-४॥
Having taken your earrings, he then again spoke to the king: "What is this secret message? I wish to hear it, O king." (14-57-4)
सौदास उवाच॥
Saudāsa said.
प्रजा निसर्गाद्विप्रान्वै क्षत्रियाः पूजयन्ति ह। विप्रेभ्यश्चापि बहवो दोषाः प्रादुर्भवन्ति नः ॥१४-५७-५॥
People, by their very nature, the kṣatriyas indeed honor the brāhmaṇas. But from the brāhmaṇas also, many faults arise for us. (14-57-5)
सोऽहं द्विजेभ्यः प्रणतो विप्राद्दोषमवाप्तवान्। गतिमन्यां न पश्यामि मदयन्तीसहायवान् ॥ स्वर्गद्वारस्य गमने स्थाने चेह द्विजोत्तम ॥१४-५७-६॥
Having bowed to the twice-born, I received a fault from the Brāhmaṇa. I do not see any other path—with Madayantī's help—either for proceeding to the gate of heaven or here, O best of the twice-born. (14-57-6)
न हि राज्ञा विशेषेण विरुद्धेन द्विजातिभिः। शक्यं नृलोके संस्थातुं प्रेत्य वा सुखमेधितुम् ॥१४-५७-७॥
Certainly, a king who is especially opposed by the twice-born cannot maintain himself in this world, nor attain happiness after death. (14-57-7)
तदिष्टे ते मयैवैते दत्ते स्वे मणिकुण्डले। यः कृतस्तेऽद्य समयः सफलं तं कुरुष्व मे ॥१४-५७-८॥
Therefore, these jeweled earrings of yours, which you desired, have indeed been given by me. Now make the agreement you made today successful for me. (14-57-8)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttaṅka said.
राजंस्तथेह कर्तास्मि पुनरेष्यामि ते वशम्। प्रश्नं तु कञ्चित्प्रष्टुं त्वां व्यवसिष्ये परन्तप ॥१४-५७-९॥
O king, thus here I am the doer; I shall come again under your authority. But I have resolved to ask you a certain question, O subduer of foes. (14-57-9)
सौदास उवाच॥
Saudāsa said.
ब्रूहि विप्र यथाकामं प्रतिवक्तास्मि ते वचः। छेत्तास्मि संशयं तेऽद्य न मेऽत्रास्ति विचारणा ॥१४-५७-१०॥
Speak as you wish, O brahmin; I shall answer your words. Today I will dispel your doubt—there is no deliberation for me in this matter. (14-57-10)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttaṅka said.
प्राहुर्वाक्सङ्गतं मित्रं धर्मनैपुण्यदर्शिनः। मित्रेषु यश्च विषमः स्तेन इत्येव तं विदुः ॥१४-५७-११॥
Those skilled in dharma say that a true friend is one united in speech. Among friends, whoever is unequal, they indeed consider him to be a thief. (14-57-11)
स भवान्मित्रतामद्य सम्प्राप्तो मम पार्थिव। स मे बुद्धिं प्रयच्छस्व समां बुद्धिमतां वर ॥१४-५७-१२॥
O king, you have today attained my friendship. Best of the wise, please grant me an intellect equal to (that of) the wise. (14-57-12)
अवाप्तार्थोऽहमद्येह भवांश्च पुरुषादकः। भवत्सकाशमागन्तुं क्षमं मम न वेति वा ॥१४-५७-१३॥
Today, I have attained my aim here, and you, the devourer of men—whether I am able to come to your presence or not, I do not know. (14-57-13)
सौदास उवाच॥
Saudāsa said.
क्षमं चेदिह वक्तव्यं मया द्विजवरोत्तम। मत्समीपं द्विजश्रेष्ठ नागन्तव्यं कथञ्चन ॥१४-५७-१४॥
If I am to say what is proper here, O best of Brāhmaṇas, you should not come near me in any way, O eminent Brāhmaṇa. (14-57-14)
एवं तव प्रपश्यामि श्रेयो भृगुकुलोद्वह। आगच्छतो हि ते विप्र भवेन्मृत्युरसंशयम् ॥१४-५७-१५॥
Thus, O best of the Bhṛgu lineage, I foresee your welfare; but truly, O brāhmaṇa, if you go there, without doubt death will result for you. (14-57-15)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
इत्युक्तः स तदा राज्ञा क्षमं बुद्धिमता हितम्। समनुज्ञाप्य राजानमहल्यां प्रति जग्मिवान् ॥१४-५७-१६॥
Thus addressed by the wise king with appropriate and beneficial words, having obtained the king's permission, he then went towards Ahalya. (14-57-16)
गृहीत्वा कुण्डले दिव्ये गुरुपत्न्याः प्रियङ्करः। जवेन महता प्रायाद्गौतमस्याश्रमं प्रति ॥१४-५७-१७॥
Having taken the guru's wife's divine earrings, the bringer of joy went swiftly towards Gautama's hermitage. (14-57-17)
यथा तयो रक्षणं च मदयन्त्याभिभाषितम्। तथा ते कुण्डले बद्ध्वा तथा कृष्णाजिनेऽनयत् ॥१४-५७-१८॥
Just as Madayantī spoke about protecting the two, so he tied those earrings in a black antelope hide and took them. (14-57-18)
स कस्मिंश्चित्क्षुधाविष्टः फलभारसमन्वितम्। बिल्वं ददर्श कस्मिंश्चिदारुरोह क्षुधान्वितः ॥१४-५७-१९॥
He, being afflicted by hunger, saw a bilva tree laden with the weight of fruit in a certain place; and in that place, hungry, he climbed it. (14-57-19)
शाखास्वासज्य तस्यैव कृष्णाजिनमरिंदम। यस्मिंस्ते कुण्डले बद्धे तदा द्विजवरेण वै ॥१४-५७-२०॥
O subduer of enemies, the excellent Brahmin then placed his black antelope skin—on the branches where your earrings were tied. (14-57-20)
विशीर्णबन्धने तस्मिन्गते कृष्णाजिने महीम्। अपश्यद्भुजगः कश्चित्ते तत्र मणिकुण्डले ॥१४-५७-२१॥
As the fastening loosened and the black antelope skin fell to the earth, a certain serpent saw your bejeweled earrings there. (14-57-21)
ऐरावतकुलोत्पन्नः शीघ्रो भूत्वा तदा स वै। विदश्यास्येन वल्मीकं विवेशाथ स कुण्डले ॥१४-५७-२२॥
He, born from the lineage of Airāvata, having become swift at that time, indeed, tore with his mouth the ant-hill, and then he entered into the cavity. (14-57-22)
ह्रियमाणे तु दृष्ट्वा स कुण्डले भुजगेन ह। पपात वृक्षात्सोद्वेगो दुःखात्परमकोपनः ॥१४-५७-२३॥
But when he saw the earrings being carried off by the serpent, he, overcome with anxiety and extreme anger from grief, fell from the tree. (14-57-23)
स दण्डकाष्ठमादाय वल्मीकमखनत्तदा। क्रोधामर्षाभितप्ताङ्गस्ततो वै द्विजपुङ्गवः ॥१४-५७-२४॥
Then, the foremost of the twice-born, his body burning with anger and indignation, took a stick of wood and dug into the anthill. (14-57-24)
तस्य वेगमसह्यं तमसहन्ती वसुन्धरा। दण्डकाष्ठाभिनुन्नाङ्गी चचाल भृशमातुरा ॥१४-५७-२५॥
The earth, unable to endure his unbearable force, her body struck by cudgel and wood, trembled greatly, being afflicted. (14-57-25)
ततः खनत एवाथ विप्रर्षेर्धरणीतलम्। नागलोकस्य पन्थानं कर्तुकामस्य निश्चयात् ॥१४-५७-२६॥
Then, while digging the surface of the earth, the Brāhmaṇa sage, determined to create a path to the realm of the Nāgas, proceeded thus. (14-57-26)
रथेन हरियुक्तेन तं देशमुपजग्मिवान्। वज्रपाणिर्महातेजा ददर्श च द्विजोत्तमम् ॥१४-५७-२७॥
Vajrapāṇi (Indra), possessed of great brilliance, approached that place in a chariot drawn by horses and saw the best among the brahmins. (14-57-27)
स तु तं ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा तस्य दुःखेन दुःखितः। उत्तङ्कमब्रवीत्तात नैतच्छक्यं त्वयेति वै ॥१४-५७-२८॥
But he, having assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa and being distressed by his sorrow, said to Uttaṅka: "Dear, this is not possible for you." (14-57-28)
इतो हि नागलोको वै योजनानि सहस्रशः। न दण्डकाष्ठसाध्यं च मन्ये कार्यमिदं तव ॥१४-५७-२९॥
Indeed, from here the world of the Nāgas is truly many thousands of leagues away. I think this task of yours cannot be accomplished with a wooden staff. (14-57-29)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttanka said.
नागलोके यदि ब्रह्मन्न शक्ये कुण्डले मया। प्राप्तुं प्राणान्विमोक्ष्यामि पश्यतस्ते द्विजोत्तम ॥१४-५७-३०॥
O Brahmin, if it is not possible for me to obtain the ear-rings in the world of the nāgas, I shall give up my life right before your eyes, O best of the twice-born. (14-57-30)
यदा स नाशकत्तस्य निश्चयं कर्तुमन्यथा। वज्रपाणिस्तदा दण्डं वज्रास्त्रेण युयोज ह ॥१४-५७-३१॥
When he could not decide to destroy it otherwise, Indra (the vajra-handed) then applied the staff with the vajra-weapon. (14-57-31)
ततो वज्रप्रहारैस्तैर्दार्यमाणा वसुन्धरा। नागलोकस्य पन्थानमकरोज्जनमेजय ॥१४-५७-३२॥
Then, O Janamejaya, the earth, being split by those thunderbolt attacks, made a path to the realm of the nāgas. (14-57-32)
स तेन मार्गेण तदा नागलोकं विवेश ह। ददर्श नागलोकं च योजनानि सहस्रशः ॥१४-५७-३३॥
He then entered the Nāga-world by that path, and saw the Nāga-world extending for thousands of leagues. (14-57-33)
प्राकारनिचयैर्दिव्यैर्मणिमुक्ताभ्यलङ्कृतैः। उपपन्नं महाभाग शातकुम्भमयैस्तथा ॥१४-५७-३४॥
O highly fortunate one, it is equipped with divine ramparts adorned with jewels and pearls and also made of gold. (14-57-34)
वापीः स्फटिकसोपाना नदीश्च विमलोदकाः। ददर्श वृक्षांश्च बहून्नानाद्विजगणायुतान् ॥१४-५७-३५॥
He saw ponds with crystal stairs, rivers of pure water, and many trees crowded with various groups of birds. (14-57-35)
तस्य लोकस्य च द्वारं ददर्श स भृगूद्वहः। पञ्चयोजनविस्तारमायतं शतयोजनम् ॥१४-५७-३६॥
He, the best of the Bhṛgus, saw the doorway of that world; its breadth was five yojanas and its length one hundred yojanas. (14-57-36)
नागलोकमुत्तङ्कस्तु प्रेक्ष्य दीनोऽभवत्तदा। निराशश्चाभवत्तात कुण्डलाहरणे पुनः ॥१४-५७-३७॥
But Uttaṅka, having beheld the Nāga world, became distressed then; and, O dear, he again became hopeless about the taking of the earrings. (14-57-37)
तत्र प्रोवाच तुरगस्तं कृष्णश्वेतवालधिः। ताम्रास्यनेत्रः कौरव्य प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा ॥१४-५७-३८॥
There the horse, his tail black and white, his mouth and eyes coppery, O Kauravya, as if blazing with splendor, said to him. (14-57-38)
धमस्वापानमेतन्मे ततस्त्वं विप्र लल्प्स्यसे। ऐरावतसुतेनेह तवानीते हि कुण्डले ॥१४-५७-३९॥
This drinking of the celestial Dhama is for me; then, O Brāhmaṇa, you will obtain (them). Here, your earrings have indeed been brought by Airāvata's son. (14-57-39)
मा जुगुप्सां कृथाः पुत्र त्वमत्रार्थे कथञ्चन। त्वयैतद्धि समाचीर्णं गौतमस्याश्रमे तदा ॥१४-५७-४०॥
O son, do not feel any disgust in this matter; indeed, this was done by you in Gautama's hermitage at that time. (14-57-40)
उत्तङ्क उवाच॥
Uttanka said;
कथं भवन्तं जानीयामुपाध्यायाश्रमं प्रति। यन्मया चीर्णपूर्वं च श्रोतुमिच्छामि तद्ध्यहम् ॥१४-५७-४१॥
How might I know you regarding the preceptor's hermitage? That which I have formerly experienced, I indeed wish to hear.
अश्व उवाच॥
The Horse said.
गुरोर्गुरुं मां जानीहि ज्वलितं जातवेदसम्। त्वया ह्यहं सदा वत्स गुरोरर्थेऽभिपूजितः ॥१४-५७-४२॥
Know me, the blazing Jātavedas, as the guru's own guru. By you, O child, I am always especially revered for the sake of the teacher. (14-57-42)
सततं पूजितो विप्र शुचिना भृगुनन्दन। तस्माच्छ्रेयो विधास्यामि तवैवं कुरु मा चिरम् ॥१४-५७-४३॥
O Brāhmaṇa, descendant of Bhṛgu, you have been constantly honored by the pure one; therefore, I will accomplish what is best for you. So, do this—do not delay. (14-57-43)
इत्युक्तः स तथाकार्षीदुत्तङ्कश्चित्रभानुना। घृतार्चिः प्रीतिमांश्चापि प्रजज्वाल दिधक्षया ॥१४-५७-४४॥
Thus addressed, Uttanka did accordingly by Citrabhānu. Ghṛtārciḥ, feeling joy, also blazed forth with a desire to burn. (14-57-44)
ततोऽस्य रोमकूपेभ्यो ध्मायमानस्य भारत। घनः प्रादुरभूद्धूमो नागलोकभयावहः ॥१४-५७-४५॥
Then, O Bhārata, as he was being blown upon, a thick smoke appeared from his hair-pores, striking fear into the world of serpents. (14-57-45)
तेन धूमेन सहसा वर्धमानेन भारत। नागलोके महाराज न प्रज्ञायत किञ्चन ॥१४-५७-४६॥
O Bhārata, O great king, because of that suddenly increasing smoke, nothing whatsoever became visible in the world of the nāgas. (14-57-46)
हाहाकृतमभूत्सर्वमैरावतनिवेशनम्। वासुकिप्रमुखानां च नागानां जनमेजय ॥१४-५७-४७॥
O Janamejaya, the entire dwelling of Airāvata, and that of Vasuki and the foremost of the nāgas, became filled with cries of terror. (14-57-47)
न प्रकाशन्त वेश्मानि धूमरुद्धानि भारत। नीहारसंवृतानीव वनानि गिरयस्तथा ॥१४-५७-४८॥
O Bhārata, the houses obstructed by smoke did not shine; just as forests and mountains do not appear when covered by mist. (14-57-48)
ते धूमरक्तनयना वह्नितेजोभितापिताः। आजग्मुर्निश्चयं ज्ञातुं भार्गवस्यातितेजसः ॥१४-५७-४९॥
They, whose eyes were reddened like smoke and scorched by the power of fire, came to ascertain the true nature of Bhārgava of overwhelming brilliance. (14-57-49)
श्रुत्वा च निश्चयं तस्य महर्षेस्तिग्मतेजसः। सम्भ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे पूजां चक्रुर्यथाविधि ॥१४-५७-५०॥
All, with disturbed minds, having heard the decision of the sharp-radiant great sage, performed the worship according to the prescribed rule. (14-57-50)
सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो नागा वृद्धबालपुरोगमाः। शिरोभिः प्रणिपत्योचुः प्रसीद भगवन्निति ॥१४-५७-५१॥
All the Nāgas, with joined palms and led by elders and children, bowed their heads in prostration and said: "Be gracious, O Lord." (14-57-51)
प्रसाद्य ब्राह्मणं ते तु पाद्यमर्घ्यं निवेद्य च। प्रायच्छन्कुण्डले दिव्ये पन्नगाः परमार्चिते ॥१४-५७-५२॥
But the serpents, having propitiated your Brāhmaṇa and having presented water for washing the feet and offering of respect, gave him highly honored divine earrings. (14-57-52)
ततः सम्पूजितो नागैस्तत्रोत्तङ्कः प्रतापवान्। अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा जगाम गुरुसद्म तत् ॥१४-५७-५३॥
Then, being honored by the nāgas there, the illustrious Uttanka, after circumambulating the fire, went to the teacher's dwelling. (14-57-53)
स गत्वा त्वरितो राजन्गौतमस्य निवेशनम्। प्रायच्छत्कुण्डले दिव्ये गुरुपत्न्यै तदानघ ॥१४-५७-५४॥
He quickly went, O king, to the house of Gautama and then gave the divine earrings to the Guru’s wife, O sinless one. (14-57-54)
एवं महात्मना तेन त्रीँल्लोकाञ्जनमेजय। परिक्रम्याहृते दिव्ये ततस्ते मणिकुण्डले ॥१४-५७-५५॥
Thus, by that great-souled one, Janamejaya, after circumambulating the three worlds and bringing back the divine jeweled earrings, then (he possessed) those earrings. (14-57-55)
एवम्प्रभावः स मुनिरुत्तङ्को भरतर्षभ। परेण तपसा युक्तो यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ॥१४-५७-५६॥
O best of the Bhāratas, he, the sage Uttaṅka, being thus powerful and endowed with supreme austerity, is the very one about whom you are asking me. (14-57-56)
