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Mahabharata
Paushya Parva
Curse of Janamejaya by Sarama, Story of the Aruni, Upamanyu, Veda and Uttanka
Sauti said:
The son of Parikshit, Janamejaya, with his brothers, was attending his long sacrifice in the field of Kurukshetra. His brothers were three, namely-Shrutasena, Ugrasena and Bhimasena. When they were sitting at the sacrifice, there came the son of Sarama.
He, being belaboured by the brothers of Janamejaya, went to his mother weeping.
His mother, seeing him weep, asked him, "Why are you weeping, who has beaten you?"
Being thus questioned, he replied to his mother, "I have been beaten by the brothers of Janamejaya."
And then his mother said, "You must have committed some fault, for which you have been beaten."
He replied, "I committed no fault. I did not drink the sacrificial ghee, I did not cast even a look at it."
Hearing this her mother, being very sorry for the affliction of his son, went to the place where Janamejaya with his brothers were attending his long sacrifice.
She angrily addressed Janamejaya thus, "My son did not commit any fault. He did not drink your sacrificial ghee, he did not even look at it. Why did you then beat him?"
They did not (condescend) to reply to her. On this she said, " As you beat my son who did commit no fault, so will evil come to you when you least expect it."
Janamejaya, having been thus cursed by the celestial bitch, Sarama, was very much alarmed and dejected.
After finishing the sacrifice, he returned to Hastinapur and took great pains to find out a priest who could neutralise the effect of the curse by procuring absolution from his sin.
Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, when out in hunting, saw in one part of his dominion a holy hermitage.
Where lived a Rishi, named Srutashrava; he had a son who was named Somashrava, who was deeply engaged in austere penances.
Being desirous to make the son of the Rishi his priest, Janamejaya,
Saluted him and said, "0 Bhagvana allow your son to be my priest."
Being thus addressed by Janamejaya, the Rishi replied, "0 Janamejaya, my son is accomplished in the study of the Vedas, endued with my full asceticism and deep in devotion, but he is born in the womb of a serpent who swallowed my vital fluid.
"He is able to absolve you from all sins except those committed against Mahadeva.
But he observes a particular rule, namely he grants to a Brahmana whatever he asks from him. If you can allow him to do it, you can then take him."
Janamejaya thus addressed by the Rishi, said "It shall be as you say."
He then took him as his priest and returned to his capital. He then addressed his brothers thus, I have chosen this person as my priest. Whatever he will command to do must be obeyed by you without questioning." The brothers did as they were requested. Giving these instructions to his brothers he marched against Takshashila and conquered that country.
About this time there was also a Rishi, named Ayoda-Dhaumya. He had three disciples namely Upamanyu, Aruni and Veda. One day the Rishi asked one of these three disciples, Aruni of Panchala, to go and stop a breach in the water-course in his field.
Thus ordered by the preceptor, Aruni of Panchala went to the spot, but could not stop the breach. He was very sorry that he could not carry out his preceptor's bidding, but at last he saw a means and he said, "I shall do it in this way." He entered into the breach and there laid himself down and thus the water was stopped.
Sometimes after, the preceptor Ayuda-Dhaumya enquired of his other disciples where Aruni of Panchala was.
Having been thus addressed, they replied, "Sir, he has been sent by you to stop the breach of the water-course in the field." Dhaumya, thus reminded, said to his pupils, "Let us all go to the place where he is."
Having gone there, he cried, "0 Aruni of Panchala, where are you? Come here, my child."
Having heard the voice of his preceptor, Aruni rose speedily from the breach and stood before him.
Addressing his preceptor Aruni said. "I was in the breach of the water-course. Having been unable to stop it by and other means, I entered myself into the breach to prevent the water from running out. It is only when I beard your honour's voice that I have left it and allowed the waters to escape. I salute you, great teacher, tell me what I am to do now.
The preceptor, thus addressed, said, "As you have opened the water-course in getting from the ditch, you shall be henceforth known as Uddalaka as a mark of your what I am to do now.
And as you have obeyed my command. You shall obtain good fortune. All the Vedas will shine in you and so will all the Dharma Shastra."
Being thus blessed by his preceptor, Aruni went away to the country where his heart longed to go. The name of another Ayuda-Dhaumya's disciples was Upamanyu.
Him the preceptor thus addressed, "Go my child, look after my kine.
As ordered by his preceptor, he went to look after the cows. Having tend them all day, he came back to the preceptor's house in the evening. He then stood before him and respectfully saluted him.
His preceptor, seeing him in the best of health, asked, "Upamanyu, my child, by what means you support yourself? You are exceedingly plump?"
He answered to his preceptor, "I support myself by begging."
The preceptor said, "You should not appropriate what you receive by begging without offering it to me." Being thus told he went away and offered all that he got by begging to his preceptor;
And the preceptor took from him all that he got. He, being thus treated, went away to look after the cattle. And after having tend them all day he came back in the evening. He stood before his preceptor and respectfully saluted him.
The preceptor, seeing him still as plump as before, said, "Upamanyu, my child. I take from you all that you get by begging. How do you contrive to support yourself now?"
Being thus questioned, he answered to his preceptor, "Sir, after giving you all I get by begging, I go again to beg to support myself."
The preceptor, said "This is not the way you should obey your preceptor. You dimmish the support of others who live by begging. Having thus supported yourself you have showed that you are coveteous.
Having assented to all his preceptor's words, he went away (again) to tend the kine. Having done it, he stood before the preceptor and respectfully saluted him.
He preceptor saw that he was still plump and said, "Upamanyu, my child, I take from you all that you get by begging. You do not also go out begging for the second time. How do you now manage to support yourself?"
Upamanyu, the questioned, replied, "Sir, I now support myself with the milk of these cows." Hearing which the preceptor said, "It is not proper for you to drink the milk without first asking my consent."
He assented to his preceptor's words and went to tend the cattle. Having done it he stood before his preceptor and respectfully saluted him.
The preceptor saw that he was still fat and he asked, "Upamanyu my child, you do not support yourself by alms, nor do you go begging for the second time, nor do you drink the mild of my cows, but you are still fat, how do you support yourself now?"
Thus questioned he said, "I now drink the forth that the calves throw out when they suck their mother's tears."
The preceptor replied, "The good calves, out of Kindness towards you, throw out a large quantity of froth. You should nor stand in the way of their full meal. Know, it is nor proper for you to drink the froth." Upamanyu assented to this and went to tend the cattle.
Thus prevented by his preceptor (from supporting himself,) he did not feed on alms, he did not drink the milk, or taste the froth, he had thus nothing to eat. One day being very much oppressed by hunger he ate the leaves of Arka tree in a forest. His eyes were affected by the pungent, acrimonious, crude and saline qualities of the leaves and he became blind. When he was thus walking about feeling his way he fell into a deep well.
As he did not return that day to the Rishi's house when the sun was sinking down behind the summit of the western mountain, the preceptor said to his pupils that Upamanyu had not yet returned. And they replied that he had gone to tend the cattle.
On this the preceptor said, Upamanyu is displeased, because he has been prevented from the use of everything. He is therefore, making late to come home. Let us go and find him out." Having said this, he went his pupils into the forest and called a loud. "Ho, Upamanyu, where are you? My child, come here."
Having heard the voice of his preceptor he replied, "I have fallen into this well." The preceptor asked, "How have you fallen into this well?"
He answered to the preceptor, "I have become blind by eating the leaves of Arka tree and thus fallen into this well."
On this the preceptor replied, "Worship the twin Ashvinis, the physicians of the celestial and he will restore you your sight." Thus addressed, Upamanyu began to worship the twin Ashvinis by reciting the following words from the Rigveda.
You have existed before the creation, O you first-born beings; you are manifest in this wonderful universe of five elements. You are infinite, you are the course of nature and intelligent Soul that pervades all. I desire to obtain you by the knowledge, derived from hearing and meditation.
You are birds of beautiful feathers, that roost on the body which is like to a tree. You are free from the three common attributes of all souls. You are beyond all comparison. You pervade the universe through its spirit in every created thing.
You are golden eagles. You are the essence in which all things disappear. You are free from error and you do not deteriorate. You are of beautiful beaks, which will not unjustly wound and which are ever victorious in all fights. Having created the sun, you weave the wonderful cloth of night and day by the black and white threads. You have established with
the cloth thus woven two courses of action; one regarding the Devas and the other regarding the Pitris.
You set free the bird of life, seized by Time representing the infinite soul, so that it may be delivered to great happiness. Those that are greatly ignorant on account of the delusion of their senses, think that you, who have no attributes of matter, have forms.
Three hundred and sixty cows as represented by three hundred and sixty days give bitch to one call which is year. This call is the creator and destroyer of all. Those that search after truth, through following different routes, draw the milk of true knowledge with its help.
The year is a nave of the wheel with seven hundred and twenty spokes, representing as many days. The circumference of this wheel is without an end and is represented by twelve months. This wheel is full of delusion and does not know deterioration. It affects all creatures belonging to this or the other world. O Ashvinis, set this wheel in motion.
The wheel of time represented by the year has also a nave, the six seasons. It has twelve spokes represented by the twelve signs of the Zodiac. This wheel of Time displays the fruits of all beings' actions. The Presiding Deities of Time obey this wheel. Bound as I am to its bound, O Ashvinis, makes me free from this wheel of Time.
O Ashvinis, you are this universe of five elements. You are the objects that are enjoyed in this and the next world. Raise me beyond the influence of the five elements. You are the supreme Brahma, but you move on earth in forms and enjoy that pleasures that the senses give.
You created ten points of the universe in the beginning of the creation. You have placed the sun and the moon above. The Rishis perform their Yajnas according to the course of the sun. The celestial and men also perform their Yajnas as settled for them and they enjoy the fruits of those acts.
Mixing the ten colours, you have produced all the objects of slight. The universe has sprung from these objects in which both the celestial and men and all creatures endued with life are engaged in their respective works.
0 Ashvinis, I worship you. I also worship the sky that is your handiwork. You are the
ordainers of the fruits of all acts from which even the celestial are not free; you are, however, free from the fruits of your actions.
You are the parents of all. You as males and females swallow the food which subsequently develops into the vital-fluid and blood. The new-born baby sucks her mother's breast, it is you who take the shape of the babe. O Ashvinis, restore my sight and protect my life."
0 Ashvinis, I am unable to praise both of you by describing your virtues. Now I am blind and can't even detect the right path. So, I have fallen down in this deep well. You only are capable to provide us shelter and therefore, I have come to seek your shelter.
When Upamanyu thus adored the twin Ashvinis, they appeared and said. "We are pleased with your devotion. Here is a cake for you. Take it and eat it."
Thus addressed he replied, "0 Ashvinis, your words never prove untrue. But I cannot take this cake without offering it to my preceptor."
The Ashvinis said - "Your preceptor also once invoked us, we gave him a cake and he
took it without offering it to his teacher. Do what your preceptor did."
Thus addressed he said, "O Ashvinis, I ask your pardon. I cannot take this cake without offering it to my preceptor.
The Ashvinis said, "We are pleased with your this devotion to your preceptor. Your teacher's teeth are of black iron, yours will be those of Gold. Your sight will be restored and you will possess good fortune."
Having been thus addressed by the Ashvinis he regained his sight. He then went to his preceptor, saluted him and told him all that had happened. And his preceptor was very much pleased with him and told him that he would obtain immense prosperity as the Ashvinis had said. All the Vedas will shine on him and so also all Dharma Shastras. This was his trial.
The other pupil of Ayuda Dhaumya was called Veda. One day his preceptor addressed him thus, "Veda, my child, remain in my house and serve your teacher. It will be to your profit."
Veda, having assented to it, remained long in the family of his preceptor, being always mindful to serve him. Like an ox under the burden of his owner, he bore heat and cold, hunger and thirst, without any complaint at all times; and many years thus passed before his preceptor was satisfied.
Veda obtained good fortune and universal knowledge as the result of his preceptor's satisfaction. This was his trial.
Having received his preceptor's permission he left his house after the completion of living at his house and entered the domestic mode of life. When he was living in his house he got, three pupils. But he never asked them to perform any work or to serve him in any way. Having himself suffered much woe when living in the family of his preceptor, he did nor like to treat his pupils with severity.
Once on a time both the kings Janamejaya and Paushya came to his house and appointed him as their preceptor.
One day when he was going to depart on a sacrificial business, he employed one of his pupils, named Uttanka, to look after his house and family. He said, "Uttanka, whatever should be required to be done in my house, let it be done by you without neglect." Having given him these instructions, Veda went away on his journey.
Uttanka, being always mindful of the service, as asked by his preceptor, lived in the family of his teacher While he was staying there, the females of his preceptor's house assembled near him and addressed him thus.
“O Uttanka, the wife of your preceptor is in the state in which she might bear a child. Your preceptor is absent, therefore you are requested to stand in his place and do what is needful."
Uttanka, having been thus addressed, said to the women, "It is not proper for me to do it at the request of women. I have not been asked by my preceptor to do any thing which is not proper."
Some time after his preceptor returned from his journey. He heard all that had happened and was much pleased.
He said, "Uttanka, my child, what favour may I bestow on you? I have been properly and faithfully served by you. Our friendship for each other has, therefore, increased. I grant you permission to go. Depart and let your wishes be fulfilled."
Uttanka, thus addressed, replied. "Let me do something which you wish to be done.
It is said, he who bestows instructions, but does nor receive Dakshina and he who receives it without giving Dakshina-country to usage-one of these two dies and bitter enmity is created between them.
I, who have got your permission to go, wish to bring some Dakshina for you." On hearing this, his preceptor said, "Uttanka, my child, then wait some time."
Some time after Uttanka again said to his preceptor, "Command me to bring what you wish to have as Dakshina.
His preceptor then said, "My beloved Uttanka, you have repeatedly expressed your desire to bring something as an acknowledgement of the instructions you have received from me. Go to your mistress and ask her what you will bring for Dakshina." Thus directed by his preceptor, Uttanka went to his teacher's wife and said, "Madam, I have received permission of my preceptor to depart and I am desirous to bring something that would be agreeable to you as my Dakshina for the instruction I have received, so that I may be free from my debt of gratitude."
"Therefore, command me what am I to bring as Dakshina." His preceptress, thus addressed, said, "Go to king Paushya and beg from him the ear-rings that are worn by his queen."
"And bring them here. Four days hence is a sacred day; on that day I wish to appear before the Brahmanas and distribute their food wearing those ear-rings. Do this, O Uttanka. If you be successful, good fortune will by yours. If not, what good can you expect?"
Thus ordered, Uttanka took his departure. When he was passing along the road he met with an extraordinary large bull and a man of extraordinary large stature riding on it. The man addressed Uttanka thus.
"O Uttanka, eat the dung of this bull." But Uttanka was not willing to eat it.
The man again said, "O Uttanka, eat it without hesitation. Your teacher ate it before."
When he was thus addressed, he expressed his willingness (to eat,) and ate the dung and drank the urine of the bull and then respectfully rose and washed his hands as he went on.
He arrived at the palace of king Paushya who was seated on his throne. Uttanka went to him and saluted him; and pronouncing blessings said,
"I have come to you and stand before you a petitioner. "King Paushya, returning his salutations said, "Sir, what shall I do for you?"
Uttanka replied, "I have come to beg from you your queen's ear-rings as a Dakshina to be given to my preceptor. You should give me those ear-rings."
King Paushya said "Go into the inner-apartment and ask it from the queen." He went there, but could not see her.
He again said to the king, "You should not deceitfully treat me Your queen is not in the inner-apartment and I could not find her."
Paushya thought for a while and then replied "Carefully recollect. Sir, whether you are defiled with the impurities of a repast. The queen is a chaste woman and therefore she cannot be seen by one who is defiled by the impurities of a repast. She does not appear before one who is so defiled."
Uttanka, thus addressed, thought for a while and then replied, " Yes, it is so. As I was in a hurry, I performed my ablutions when I was walking." Paushya said, "This is a transgression. Ablutions cannot properly be performed standing or walking in a hurry."
Uttanka assented to what fell from the king and sat with his face turned towards the east. He washed his hands and feet thoroughly. He then without sound thrice sipped water which was free from scum and froth and which was not warm. He took only so much of it as to reach his stomach. He then wiped his face twice. He then touched his eyes, ears etc., with water. Having done all this he again went to the inner-apartment.
He saw the queen this time, Seeing him, she saluted him reverentially and said, "Welcome, Sir; command me what I shall do for you."
Uttanka said to her, "You should give me your ear-rings. I beg them from you as wish to present them to my preceptor." The queen, having been highly pleased with the conduct of Uttanka, thought that he was a very good man and he could not be refused. Therefore, she took off her ear-rings and handed them over to him. On giving them to Uttanka she said, "These ear-rings are very much sought after by Takshaka, the King of the Nagas. Therefore take them with the greatest care."
Uttanka, being thus told, replied to the queen, "Madam, you need not be under any apprehension. Takshaka, the king of the Nagas, cannot overcome me."
Having said this, he took leave of the queen and went back to the king, whom he addressed thus, "Paushya, I am much pleased." Paushya replied,
"A proper man on whom charity can be bestowed is got at long intervals. You are a guest with many qualifications, therefore I wish to perform a Shraddh. Kindly wait a little."
Uttanka said, "Yes, I shall wait. Bring soon the provisions that are ready." The king, having signified his assent, duly entertained Uttanka.
Uttanka, seeing that the food that was brought before him was cold and had hair in it, considers it unclean and said to Paushya, "You give me food that is not clean, therefore you will lose your sight."
Paushya replied, "As you impute uncleanliness to the food which is clean, you will be without a child," Uttanka said,
"It is not proper for you to curse me after having given me unclean food. You can satisfy
yourself by occular proof." Thereupon Paushya by seeing it personally satisfied himself that the food was unclean.
Having seen that the food was really unclean, cold and mixed with hair, because it was prepared by a woman whose hair was not braided, Paushya began to pacify the Rishi Uttanka, saying.
"Sir, the food placed before you is cold and has really hair in it, having been prepared without sufficient care. Therefore, I pray you, kindly pardon me. Let me not become blind." Uttanka replied.
"What I say must happen. Having become blind, you may however regain your sight soon. Grant also that your curse on me may not take effect."
Paushya said, "I am not capable of revoking my curse. My anger is not appeased even now. But you do not know it.
Brahmana's heart is as soft as butter even though his words are like sharp razors. But contrary is the case with the Kshatriya. His words are as soft as butter, but his heart is like a sharp instrument.
Such being the case, I cannot revoke my curse, as my heart is very hard. You may go." Uttanka replied, "I showed you the uncleanliness of the food placed before me. I am also pacified by you.
Besides you said that I should be without issue, because I falsely imputed uncleanliness to the food. The food, being really unclean, your curse cannot take effect. I am sure of it."
Uttanka, having said this, went away with the ear-rings. On his way he saw a naked beggar, coming towards him. He was sometimes coming in view and sometimes disappearing.
Uttanka, having occasion to have some water, placed the ear-rings on the ground and went for it. In the mean time the beggar came quickly to the place and raking up the ear-rings and ran away.
Having completed his ablutions and purified himself and having bowed down to the divinities and spiritual masters, he ran after the thief as fast as possible.
Having overtaken him, he seized him with all his might, but the disguised Takshaka, suddenly quitting the form of the beggar, assumed his own real form and quickly disappeared into a large hole in the ground.
Entering the region of the Nagas, he proceeded to his own home. Uttanka, remembering the words of the queen, pursued Takshaka.
He began to dig open the hole with a stick, but did not make much progress. Seeing his distress Indra sent his thunderbolt to his assistance.
Saying, "Go and help that Brahmana." The thunderbolt entering into the stick enlarged the hole.
Uttanka entered into the hole after the thunderbolt; and thus entering it he saw the land of the Nagas, with hundreds of palaces, elegant mansions, with turrets and domes and gateways, with wonderful arenas for various games and entertainments.
To please the Nagas, he uttered the following slokas, "O serpents, subjects of the king Airavata, you are brilliant in battles, you shower weapons like clouds, charged with lightning and driven by wind.
Beautiful, variously formed, decked with many coloured ear-rings, O children of Airavata, you shine like the sun in the sky.
These are many settlements of Nagas on the northern banks of the Ganges and there do I often worship the great Nagas.
Who but Airavata can desire to move in the burning sun? When Dhritarashtra goes out, twenty eight thousand Nagas follows him.
I salute you all that have Airavata for their elder brother, whether you live near him or stay at a distance from him.
In order to get beck my ear-rings I worship you, Takshaka, the Naga-king, who formerly lived in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandhava.
Takshaka and Ashvasena were constant companions when they lived in Kurukshetra on the banks of the river Ikshumati.
I also worship Takshaka's younger brother Shrutasena, who dwelt at the holy place called Mahadyumna with the intention of becoming one of the chiefs of the Nagas."
After having thus saluted the chief Nagas, the Brahmana Rishi, Uttanka did not get his ear-rings; and he became very thoughtful.
When he saw that he did not get the earrings, although he had worshipped the Nagas, he looked around him and be held two women working in a loom with fine shuttle and weaving a piece of cloth. There were black and white threads in the loom. He also saw a wheel, with twelve spokes, which was turned round by six boys. He also saw a man with a horse. In order to please them all he uttered the following Mantras.
"This wheel, the circumference of which is marked by twenty-four divisions, representing twenty-four. Lunar changes, contains three hundred spokes. It is continually set in motion by six boys.
These maidens, representing universe, are continually, weaving a cloth with white and black threads, creating innumerable words and millions of beings to inhabit them.
O, the master of thunder, the protector of the universe, the slayer of Virata and Namuchi, O illustrious one, wearing the black cloth, O Deity, who displays truth and untruth in the
universe.
Who owns the horse that was obtained from the depths of the ocean and which is but another form of Agni, I bow to you, 0 supreme being, O Lord of the three worlds, O Purandara,"
Then said the man with the horse, “I have been much pleased with your adoration. What good can I do to you?"
Uttanka replied, "Let the Nagas be brought under my power." The man then said, "Blow into this horse."
Thereupon Uttanka blew into the horse and thousands of flames and fires with smoke issued forth from every aperture of the horse thus blown into.
The land of the Nagas was at the point of being burnt down, when Takshaka, taking the ear-rings, hastened to Uttanka, from his palace and said,
"Pray, Sir, take back your ear-rings," Receiving back his ear-rings Uttanka thought.
"Today is the sacred day mentioned by my preceptress. I am at a distance, how can I, therefore, show my regard for her I by presenting her with the ear-rings)!" When he was thus meditating the man said,
"Uttanka, get on this horse. He will take you in a moment to the family of your preceptor."
Uttanka signified his assent, mounted the horse and reached his preceptor's house in a moment's time. The preceptress, after bathing, was dressing her hair, sitting and thinking that if Uttanka did not come, she would curse him.
At this very time Uttanka entered the house of his preceptor and made proper salutation to his preceptress. When he presented her with the ear-rings, she said.
"Uttanka, you have come at the proper time. Welcome, my child. As you are innocent, I do not curse you. Good fortune will come to you. Let your wishes be crowned with success."
Then did Uttanka salute his preceptor and his preceptor said, "Uttanka, my child, welcome to you. What made you to be so long away?"
Uttanka replied to the preceptor, "The king of the Nagas, Takshaka, offered obstruction to the business I went and therefore I had to go to the land of the Nagas.
There I saw two maidens working in a loom and weaving a cloth with black and white threads. What may it be?
I then saw a wheel, with twelve spokes, which was being continually turned by six boys. What does it mean? I also saw a man, who is he? I saw also a horse of extraordinary size, what is that horse?
On my way I saw on the road a man mounted on a bull. He lovingly addressed me thus, "Uttanka, eat the dung of this bull, which was eaten by your preceptor."
Thus requested by him, I ate the dung of that bull. Who is this man? Being instructed by you I wish to hear all about them."
His preceptor thus addressed said to him, "The two maidens you saw are Dhata and Vidhata. The black and white threads represent night and day. The wheel, with twelve spokes turned by six boys, is the year, having six seasons.
The man is Parjanya (the deity of rain); the horse is Agni, (deity of fire). The bull which you saw on the road is the Airavata, the king of elephants.
The man who rode it is Indra. The dung of the Bull, which you ate is Ambrosia. Certainly on account of this (eating) you were not slain in the land of the Nagas.
Indra, with six attributes, is my friend; he, being moved by kindness towards you, showed you this favour; therefore, you have been able to return safely with the ear-rings.
Now, mild-natured Uttanka, I give you permission to go. You will obtain good fortune." Uttanka, thus obtaining his preceptor's leave and being deadly angry against Takshaka, went towards Hastinapur, resolved to take revenge on the king.
The good Brahmana's son reached Hastinapur. Uttanka then went to see king Janamejaya,
Who had only recently returned victorious from Takshashila. He saw him seated sutrounded by his ministers.
He uttered blessings in proper time and addressed him in speech of correct accent and melodious sound.
Uttanka said :
O best of kings, you are spending your time like a child when a most important matter urgently demands your attention.
Sauti said :
Having been thus addressed by the Brahmana, king Janamejaya duly saluted him and said to the best of Brahmanas.
I perform the duties of my Kshatriya race, by looking after my these subjects. Tell me what is the business that I am to perform and by which you are led to come here.
Sauti said :
Having been thus addressed by the best of kings, Janamejaya, the best of Brahmanas, distinguished for good deeds, thus replied, "0 king, the business is your own that demands your attention. Therefore do it."
Uttanka said:
O king of kings, your father was killed by Takshaka, therefore take revenge on that vile serpent for the death of your noble father.
The time has come, I say, for your taking vengeance, ordained by Fate. Go, O king and revenge the death of your noble father,
Who was unoffending, but who died like a tree stricken by thunder, having been bitten by this vile serpent.
The worst of the serpent race, Takshaka, being intoxicated with power, committed an wicked act when he bit your father.
Wicked in his deeds, he even made Kashyapa run away when he was coming for the relief of your god-like father, the protector of the race of royal usages.
It is proper for you to bum the wicked wretch in the blazing fire of a Snake-Sacrifice. Therefore, O king, soon do the needful for it.
You can thus revenge your father's death. 0 king, You can thus do me a great favour.
O king of the world, my business was obstructed on one occasion by that wretch when I was going (to get a present for my preceptor.)
Sauti said :
The king, having heard these words, got angry on Takshaka. Uttanka's speech inflamed him as ghee does the sacrificial fire.
Even before the presence of Uttanka, he sorrowfully asked his ministers the particulars of his father's going to heaven (death).
When he heard all the circumstances of his father's death, the king of kings was overcome with sorrow and pain.
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