Uttanka pays his dues to the teacher

Uttanka, after taking leave of king Saudasa, was on his way to the hermitage of sage Gautama with the precious ear rings in hand. He remembered the words of the queen, Madayanti, about the need to be watchful and had secured the precious jewels to the deer skin (krishnaajinam) he wore around him.

After walking a distance Uttanka got so hungry that he decided to pluck some of the Bilva (Aegle Mermalos) fruits he found on a tree on the way. He climbed the tree and hung his garment of deer skin with the ear rings on a branch. He, then, started to shake the branches of the tree vigorously. Unfortunately, some of the fruits fell on the very deer skin and it fell down on the ground with the ear rings. Uttanka stood aghast to watch a snake appear instantaneously and disappear with his prized possession into a hole nearby.

Uttanka became angry and sorry at the same time. He started digging into the hole with a stick with the hope of reaching the den of the snake. He tried day in and day out and, yet, could not find the snake or his ear rings. It is said that the Brahmin dug so furiously that the world around started shaking as a result.

Indra arrives to help

The king of gods realized that it was no good letting the Brahmin to damage nature on a hopeless mission. He arrived on the scene on his chariot and addressed Uttanka. “My dear Brahmin, you are wasting your time. You can never reach the abode of the snakes (naaga loka) which is hundreds of miles away.” Uttanka stood firm on his resolve. He replied. “Either I shall reach the place or I shall end of my life in my effort”.

Indra felt pity for the Brahmin and attached his weapon, the Thunder Bolt (vajra), to the stick Uttanka employed to dig. The way to the abode of snakes opened up in no time and Uttanka entered it without fear.

What he saw was a new world, beautiful beyond imagination. All around him was land with streams and lakes of crystal clear water. The entire land was dense with trees with their emerald green canopy. Various birds and animals played around them freely. Uttanka searched in all directions for the snake with his jewels with no success.

The strange horse

At that time a horse appeared on the scene which addressed Uttanka. “My boy, get into my belly and I shall make sure that you find what you are looking for. Do not feel hesitant.”

Uttanka replied. “First, tell me who you are”

The horse said. “Know that I am the god of fire (agni) and the teacher of your teacher. You have been worshipping me daily all these years and I am pleased with you. That is why I came to help you.”

Uttanka did not hesitate any further and entered into the belly of the horse. The horse, then, started blowing fire through its nostrils which filled the world of snakes with heat and smoke. All the snakes, young and old alike, including great snakes like Vasuki, came out of their abodes and stood around the horse and Uttanka. They started praying, “God, have mercy on us!”

The rest was easy for Uttanka. The stolen jewels were produced in no time and Uttanka took leave of all after paying obeisance to the Fire God. He reached the hermitage of Gautama in due course and placed the precious ear rings at the feet of Ahalya.

Thus ends the story of Uttanka, how he paid his dues to his teacher.