Uttanka was the most intelligent and obedient student of
Sage Vedamuni. He followed Dharma and this earned him the blessings of his Guru
who blessed him with the knowledge and wisdom to become an authority on all
scriptures.
When Uttanaka’s education was complete, he asked his Guru to
have his Guru Dakshina. The Guru asked him to pay him what his wife wants.
Uttanka asked his Guru’s wife as to what she wanted as Guru
Dakshina.
The wife said that she would be observing a fast known as Punyaka. She wanted the divine earrings that belonged to King Paushya’s queen to complete the fast. The fasting date is in three days time.
The wife said that she would be observing a fast known as Punyaka. She wanted the divine earrings that belonged to King Paushya’s queen to complete the fast. The fasting date is in three days time.
Uttanka immediately left to accomplish the mission. On the
way to the palace, he met Indra, atop a bull. Indra made him eat a bit of
bullock’s dung for his welfare.
King Paushya was happy to welcome Uttanka. When Uttanka told
about his mission, the king asked him to talk directly to the queen.
The queen was ready to help Uttanka and gave him the
earrings. But the queen warned him that Serpent Takshaka is always on the lookout
for the earrings. Uttanka assured her that he would be very careful and left
for the hermitage.
But Takshaka stole the earrings when Uttanka was taking bath
for his daily evening prayers. Uttanka chased him but he escaped to the Naga
Loka.
Uttanka then prayed to Indra for his help. Indra answered
his prayers, went to Naga Loka, and brought back the earrings.
Uttanka then carried the earrings to the wife of his Guru
and fulfilled his Guru Dakshina.
Later the Guru explained to Uttanka that the bullock dung
Indra gave to him had nectar and it helped him in succeeding in his mission.