Utanka and King Paushya: Trials, Curses, and Fate

Utanka and King Paushya’s story continues the narrative of Ayoda-Dhaumya and his three renowned disciples: Aruni of Panchala, Upamanyu, and Veda. In this extension, the tale delves into Utanka’s journey and his discussions with King Paushya on how to fulfill the guru dakshina for Rishi Veda’s wife.

Veda after gaining universal knowledge and good fortune left the ashram of Ayoda-Dhaumya. He went ahead and settled with his wife in an ashram of his own. He started taking in disciples and ensured that none of them were treated harshly since he himself was tested in such a crude way by his preceptor.

Utanka gaining attention and wisdom

After several years when he gained some fame, King Janamejaya and Paushya came to the ashram of Veda and asked him to be their Upadhyaya (spiritual guide). One day he had to leave the ashrama to perform one of the duties of Upadhyaya. He called on his trusted and best disciple name Utanka. Veda asked him to ensure that the ashram is taken care of and

“whatsoever should have to be done in my house, let it be done by thee without neglect”

Having said this Veda left on his journey.

Utanka diligently started taking care of the ashram and ensure that his preceptors house is well taken care of. However, few sections of the females in the ashram wanted to test Utanka. They approached Utanka and said

“O Utanka, the mistress is in that season when connubial (ovulation) connection might be fruitful. The preceptor is absent, since he asked you to perform the household duties as well, please do the needful”

Utanka reacted by rejecting the idea and stating that it would incorrect of him to do such an act.

When Veda returned from his journey, he became aware of the challenges which Utanka had to face. He reached out to Utanka and asked him what shall i give you, you done all the duties needed by a disciple. I think it is the right time for you to venture on your journey and learn from the world. I wish you all the very best.

Quest of Utanka’s Guru Dakshina

Utanka wanted to do something for his teacher, so he asked Veda want shall I grant you as guru dakshina (honorarium). Veda thought for a while and told him that you can ask my mistress what she desires, whatever she asks of you would be my guru dakshina. He then goes ahead and ask the mistress of Veda what would she like to have. Her demand was that Utanka should go to King Paushya and ask from him the queens earnings, the earnings need to be with her on the fourth day, since there were a few brahmans who would be visiting Veda for dinner. She wanted to ensure that she has those earrings before that. She wished Utanka good luck and ask him to travel immediately.

Utanka’s Journey to King Paushya’s Kingdom

Utanka left at once. While on travel he met an extra ordinary bull with a man of uncommon stature riding the bull. That man told Utanka, to eat the dung of the bull as it will grant him powers. Utanka was hesitant and rejected the request. The giant man told him, when I asked your teacher to do the same, he immediately complied by eating the dung, why are you hesitant if he was not. Go ahead it will help you in your journey. Utanka finally complied by drinking the urine and eating the dung continued with the journey and reached King Paushya palace.

Utanka and King Paushya were finally face to face, he approached the king as he was seated on the throne and said to the king that I meet you as petitioner. King Paushya asks him what is the petition, to which Utanka said that my preceptor is Veda and his mistress has requested for the queens earrings as my guru dakshina. I would be grateful to you if you could grant me the earning so that i can give it as an honorarium to my preceptors.

King Paushya replied by saying surely he can grant it but it would better if he approaches the queen for it directly. He told Utanka that you have permission to enter into the queens quarters and ask of it directly to her. She wont deny such a request. Utanka went to the queen quarters and looked for the queen everywhere but she wasn’t available.

Angered by this, Utanka went to King Paushya and told him of his deceit. King Paushya wondered why this might have happened and asked him “Did you complete all the ablutions before going to meet my queen?”. Utanka realized his mistake that although he did perform ablutions, he did it in a standing position it was not properly done. Paushya made him realize that his queen is a chaste one, hence she would not meet someone who has not completed his ablutions correctly.

How to perform ablution in Hinduism?

Utanka performed the necessary ablutions in the following manner

He sat down with his face towards the east and washed his face, hands and feet thoroughly. And he then, without a noise, sipped thrice of water free from scum and froth, and not warm, and sufficient to reach his stomach and wiped his face twice.. He then touched the water the apertures of his organs (eyes, ears, etc).

Queen’s warning to Utanka about serpent Takshaka

After performing the ablutions, Utanka went into the queens quarters and queen gladly paid audience to him. Utanka explained his requirements of queens earnings for his preceptors mistress. Queen willingly gave her earnings but also cautioned that Takshaka, the king of serpents is also interested in this earnings and will probably try to get them. Utanka ensured the queen he will take due care that the earnings are not stolen by Takshaka. Having said this he started his return journey but before he went out of the palace. He went to say his goodbyes to King Paushya.

Utanka and King Paushya’s Disagreement and Resolutions

King Paushya requested him to have some food before he began his journey, so Utanka agreed. Utanka asked to be fed with clean food at the earliest. However while having his food he found a hair in it and also realized that the food is cold. Utanka got angered by this and cursed King Paushya that he would lose his sight. King Paushya also got angered and cursed Utanka that he will remain childless. Frustrated, Utanka asked the king to check the food himself. King Paushya realized that food was unclean and ill prepared. He apologized and asked for forgiveness.

Utanka forgave him but also told him that my curse cannot be revoked, however after loosing sight you will regain it as well. In return Utanka told King Paushya that since I was correct and your food was unclean, hence your curse cannot affect me.

After this Utanka departed from the palace. On his return journey he realized that a beggar is following him, sometimes he could see the beggar sometimes he couldn’t. With a good amount of distance now covered, he reached a lake. Utanka entered into it for a bath. He kept the earing’s and his personal items on the ground before entering the lake. Suddenly the beggar came running and stole the earrings.

If you want to find out who was this beggar, why did he stole it, did Utanka recovered the queens earrings and did he reach his preceptors ashram in time. Stay tuned to this space and do subscribe to us.