ब्रूहि कार्यं मुनिश्रेष्ठ अपि जीवितमात्मनः
Speak, O foremost sage, what is to be done—even if it concerns your own life.
अगाधं नन्दिनी तत्र पतिता धेनुरुत्तमा ॥ 7.3.1.
There, Nandinī, the excellent cow, fell into a deep place.
यत्नादाकर्षिता तस्माद्भूयः पतनजाद्भयात्
She was pulled out with effort, due to fear arising from the fall.
तस्मात्कञ्चिन्नगश्रेष्ठं तत्र प्रेषय भूधरम्
Therefore, send some distinguished mountain there, O lord of peaks.
तत्प्रमाणं नगं कंचित्प्रेषयामि विचिंत्य च
I will send some mountain, considering its measure.
न संख्या विद्यतेऽधस्तात्तस्य पर्वतसत्तम
There is no count below, O best of mountains.
अभूत्कौतूहलं तेन सर्वं विस्तरतो वद
Curiosity arose in him; tell everything in detail.
अहिल्या दयिता तस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी
Ahilyā, his beloved and illustrious wife, was devoted to righteousness.
शिष्यानध्यापयामास स मुनिः शतशस्तदा
At that time, the sage taught hundreds of disciples.
तस्यान्योऽपि च यः शिष्यो गुरुभक्तिपरायणः
Among them, another disciple was especially devoted to the teacher.
न तं विसर्जयामास जरयापि परिप्लुतम्
He did not dismiss him, even though he was overcome by old age.
जातकार्यसमायुक्तो विद्यापारंगतोऽपि सः
Though accomplished in knowledge and engaged in necessary tasks, he was so.
प्रभूतानि समादाय आश्रमं परमं गतः
Taking many things, he went to the supreme hermitage.
काष्ठलग्नां तदा श्वेतां जटामेकां ददर्श सः
Then he saw a single white matted lock attached to wood.
धिग्धिङ्मे जीवितं नष्टं कुतः कार्यरतस्य च
Alas, my life is lost—how can this happen to one engaged in duty?
भविष्यति कुलच्छेदः शैथिल्यान्मम दुर्मतेः
There will be destruction of the lineage due to my negligence and faulty mind.
तस्य दुःखं तथा क्षिप्रं गौतमाय निेवेदितम् 7.3.2.
His sorrow was quickly reported to Gautama in this way.
वत्स गच्छ गृहं त्वं च अग्निहोत्रादिकाः क्रियाः
Child, go home and perform the rituals such as agnihotra.
इत्युक्तो गुरुणा सोऽपि प्रत्युवाच गुरुं प्रति
Thus addressed by his teacher, he too replied to his guru.
तेनैव परिपूर्णत्वं जातं मे नात्र संशयः
Through this alone, I have attained completeness; there is no doubt about it.
उत्तंक उवाच किंचिद्ग्राह्यं त्वया स्वामिन्सन्तोषो जायते मम
Uttanka said: There is something to be received by you, master; my satisfaction arises.
नेच्छाम्यहं धनं त्वत्तः सुखं गच्छ गृहं प्रति
I do not desire wealth from you; go happily to your home.
इत्युक्तो गुरुणा सोऽपि मातरं चाभ्यभाषत
Thus addressed by his teacher, he too spoke to his mother.
मदयन्ती प्रिया तस्य धर्मपत्नी यशस्विनी
Madayanti, his beloved and virtuous wife, renowned for her virtue.
कुण्डलेऽथानय क्षिप्रं मदयंत्याश्च पुत्रक
Bring the earrings quickly, child, from Madayanti.
इत्युक्तो गुरुपत्न्या स प्रस्थितः सत्वरं तदा
Thus addressed by the guru's wife, he then set out swiftly.
दृष्ट्वा प्राह तदा विप्रं भक्षणार्थमुपस्थितम् 7.3.2.
Seeing the Brahmin who had come for food, she spoke at that moment.
देहि मे कुण्डले तात दत्त्वाऽहं गुरवे पुनः
Give me the earrings, dear; after receiving them, I will return them to the guru.
तां त्वमासाद्य यत्नेन जीवितव्यभयाद्द्विज
Approach her with effort, O Brahmin, for the sake of your life.
याच्यतां मम वाक्येन सा ते दास्यति कुण्डले
Ask her on my behalf; she will give you the earrings.