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.
देहि मे कुण्डले देवि सौदासस्त्वां समादिशत्
Give me the earrings, lady; Saudasa has instructed you.
अभिज्ञानं त्वमानीय नृपस्य द्विज दर्शय
Bring the token of recognition and show it to the king, O Brahmin.
स गत्वा त्वरितं भूपमभिज्ञानमयाचत
He went quickly to the king and requested the token of recognition.
गत्वैवं ब्रूहि तां साध्वीं मम वाक्यं द्विजोत्तम
Go and speak thus to that virtuous lady, O best of Brahmins, conveying my words.
ततोऽसौ प्रददौ तस्मै गृह्ण मे कुण्डले द्विज
Then he gave him the earrings, saying, 'Take these earrings, O Brahmin.'
एते च वांछते नित्यं तक्षको द्विज कुण्डले कौतुकात्पुनरागत्य राजानं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥7.3.2.
Takshaka always desires these earrings, O Brahmin; out of curiosity, he returned and spoke to the king.
अभिज्ञानान्मया भूप सम्प्राप्ते दीप्तकुण्डले
O king, when the radiant earrings arrived, I recognized them by their signs.
कौतुकाद्वद मे राजन्स्वकार्ये च यथास्थितम्
Out of curiosity, tell me, O king, and also about your own affairs as they stand.
असन्तुष्टा दुर्गतिदाः सद्यो मम यथा पुरा
Those who are dissatisfied and bring misfortune became so for me at once, just as before.
एतावान्मम शापोऽयं वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः
This much is the curse upon me from the great-souled Vasiṣṭha.