Read Online KRISHNA CORIOLIS#6: Fortress of Dwarka by Ashok K. Banker - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ashok K. Banker
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by filling his wife’s barren womb.
But Uttanka held firm and refused to do as they said.
In time, the guru returned home from his long journey. He heard all that had transpired in his absence, and was pleased with Uttanka’s decision for he would not have approved of another man inseminating his wife.
He said to Uttanka, ‘My son, you have fulfilled your dharma admirably while using your own judgement wisely. This is a great service you have done for me and I am deeply grateful to you. In return, name anything you desire and I shall do everything in my power to return the favour. Do you wish to leave my service and pursue your own fortune? If so, then I grant you leave to go and bless you with a certainty of success in any endeavour you choose.’
Uttanka considered his guru’s words and replied, ‘Gurudev, it is well known that when a shishya completes his education he must give his guru a dakshina, otherwise if one person asks for something without offering anything in return and the other person gives without rightfully receiving anything in exchange, there shall be enmity between those two, and one shall inevitably die. You have already granted me the greatest gift any guru can give his shishya: you have given me leave to go forth into the world, declaring my education complete. In exchange, I wish to give you your guru-dakshina as it is only fair that I repay you for your gift of learning to me.’
Rishi Veda was impressed by his pupil’s answer and said, ‘In that case, Uttanka, give me some time to consider what guru-dakshina to ask.’ Uttanka was sanguine and continued to stay peacefully at his guru’s ashram.
Some time later, Uttanka came before his preceptor and asked him once again, ‘My guru, command me what guru-dakshina you desire that I may give it you.’
Rishi Veda said, ‘Uttanka, my son. So many times have you asked me already what guru-dakshina I desire. I am still unable to think of anything. Yet you deserve an answer, therefore go to my wife and ask her if she desires anything. Give her whatever she demands and I shall consider it as my guru-dakshina.’
So Uttanka went to the guru’s wife and joined his hands before her. ‘Shrimati, my guru says I have completed my education and may go home. But I must give him guru-dakshina before I take my leave. He has sent me to you. Command me what you wish and I shall bring it to you as a guru-dakshina.’
The preceptor’s wife thought briefly and replied: ‘Go then to King Paushya, your guru’s patron. His queen possesses a certain set of earrings that she wears. Ask him to give you those earrings and fetch them to me. In four days, there shall be an important ceremony and I wish to appear most radiant before the brahmins who will attend. Bring me the queen’s earrings and you shall have the blessings of your guru as well as my own good wishes!’
Happy to finally have a task to perform, Uttanka set out at once for Raja Paushya’s palace.
14
Krishna smiled and shook his head as if remembering. “Poor Uttanka had to suffer a number of mishaps and adventures but finally, after great effort, he procured the ornaments in question and was returning home to give them to his Guru’s wife when the earrings were stolen from him by Takshak, the king of Nagas. Uttanka immediately gave chase to Takshak and would surely have caught him. But then Takshak dropped out of sight, literally, for he had jumped into the earth to reach the same city where we are traveling now.”
“Samyamani,” said Tvasta with wide eyes. “Is it the city of Nagas?” He swallowed, visibly nervous as would be any man who was told he was entering the fabled kingdom of the Serpents.
Krishna shrugged. “The Nagas dwell there as do many other species. But the realm itself is governed by another master.” He gestured. “We shall speak of him another time.” He seemed distracted for a moment.
Tvasta gazed around as he waited for
But Uttanka held firm and refused to do as they said.
In time, the guru returned home from his long journey. He heard all that had transpired in his absence, and was pleased with Uttanka’s decision for he would not have approved of another man inseminating his wife.
He said to Uttanka, ‘My son, you have fulfilled your dharma admirably while using your own judgement wisely. This is a great service you have done for me and I am deeply grateful to you. In return, name anything you desire and I shall do everything in my power to return the favour. Do you wish to leave my service and pursue your own fortune? If so, then I grant you leave to go and bless you with a certainty of success in any endeavour you choose.’
Uttanka considered his guru’s words and replied, ‘Gurudev, it is well known that when a shishya completes his education he must give his guru a dakshina, otherwise if one person asks for something without offering anything in return and the other person gives without rightfully receiving anything in exchange, there shall be enmity between those two, and one shall inevitably die. You have already granted me the greatest gift any guru can give his shishya: you have given me leave to go forth into the world, declaring my education complete. In exchange, I wish to give you your guru-dakshina as it is only fair that I repay you for your gift of learning to me.’
Rishi Veda was impressed by his pupil’s answer and said, ‘In that case, Uttanka, give me some time to consider what guru-dakshina to ask.’ Uttanka was sanguine and continued to stay peacefully at his guru’s ashram.
Some time later, Uttanka came before his preceptor and asked him once again, ‘My guru, command me what guru-dakshina you desire that I may give it you.’
Rishi Veda said, ‘Uttanka, my son. So many times have you asked me already what guru-dakshina I desire. I am still unable to think of anything. Yet you deserve an answer, therefore go to my wife and ask her if she desires anything. Give her whatever she demands and I shall consider it as my guru-dakshina.’
So Uttanka went to the guru’s wife and joined his hands before her. ‘Shrimati, my guru says I have completed my education and may go home. But I must give him guru-dakshina before I take my leave. He has sent me to you. Command me what you wish and I shall bring it to you as a guru-dakshina.’
The preceptor’s wife thought briefly and replied: ‘Go then to King Paushya, your guru’s patron. His queen possesses a certain set of earrings that she wears. Ask him to give you those earrings and fetch them to me. In four days, there shall be an important ceremony and I wish to appear most radiant before the brahmins who will attend. Bring me the queen’s earrings and you shall have the blessings of your guru as well as my own good wishes!’
Happy to finally have a task to perform, Uttanka set out at once for Raja Paushya’s palace.
14
Krishna smiled and shook his head as if remembering. “Poor Uttanka had to suffer a number of mishaps and adventures but finally, after great effort, he procured the ornaments in question and was returning home to give them to his Guru’s wife when the earrings were stolen from him by Takshak, the king of Nagas. Uttanka immediately gave chase to Takshak and would surely have caught him. But then Takshak dropped out of sight, literally, for he had jumped into the earth to reach the same city where we are traveling now.”
“Samyamani,” said Tvasta with wide eyes. “Is it the city of Nagas?” He swallowed, visibly nervous as would be any man who was told he was entering the fabled kingdom of the Serpents.
Krishna shrugged. “The Nagas dwell there as do many other species. But the realm itself is governed by another master.” He gestured. “We shall speak of him another time.” He seemed distracted for a moment.
Tvasta gazed around as he waited for
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