Story of Uttanka and Ahalya – The Earrings of Queen Madayanti as Guru Dakshina
In the ancient times, there lived a young disciple named Uttanka, who was under the tutelage of the venerable Sage Gautama. Uttanka was dedicated and diligent, earning the respect and affection of his guru and the guru's wife, Ahalya. After completing his education, it was customary for disciples to offer guru dakshina, a token of gratitude and respect, to their guru.
When Uttanka approached Sage Gautama and Ahalya to offer his guru dakshina, Ahalya, who had a particular desire in mind, decided to speak. She asked for a seemingly impossible task: to bring her the kundalas (ear-ornaments) of Queen Madayanti, the wife of King Saudasa. These kundalas were not only precious but also held immense spiritual significance.
Determined to fulfill his promise, Uttanka set off on his quest. His journey was fraught with challenges, but his resolve remained unwavering. As he traveled through dense forests and arid deserts, he encountered numerous obstacles. At one point, he came across a giant serpent, which he later realized was a manifestation of the deity Vasuki, the king of serpents. The serpent tested Uttanka’s courage and devotion, and upon proving his sincerity, Vasuki guided him towards his goal.
Upon reaching the kingdom of Saudasa, Uttanka faced the daunting task of persuading Queen Madayanti to part with her precious earrings. Understanding the significance of his mission and moved by his determination, Queen Madayanti agreed to lend him the kundalas, but with a warning: they must be returned within a stipulated time, as the earrings were integral to the queen’s daily worship and were believed to protect the kingdom from misfortune.
With the kundalas in his possession, Uttanka began his journey back. However, his trials were far from over. Indra, the king of the gods, disguised as a beggar, appeared before Uttanka and asked for the kundalas. When Uttanka refused, recognizing the divine test, Indra was pleased with his devotion and blessed him.
But the real challenge came when Takshaka, the king of serpents, coveted the divine earrings and stole them from Uttanka. Heartbroken but determined, Uttanka pursued Takshaka into the subterranean world of the Nagas. The realm was filled with serpents of all kinds, and Uttanka had to use all his knowledge and skills to navigate through it.
He finally confronted Takshaka, who was impressed by Uttanka’s persistence. To further test his resolve, Takshaka offered Uttanka a chance to win back the earrings through a series of rigorous trials, involving strength, wit, and patience. Uttanka, with his unwavering devotion to his guru and the blessings of the gods, successfully completed the trials and reclaimed the kundalas.
Returning to the earthly realm, Uttanka hastened back to his guru’s abode. Ahalya and Sage Gautama were overjoyed to see him return safely with the earrings. Ahalya, in particular, was deeply moved by Uttanka's dedication and the lengths he had gone to fulfill her request. She blessed him with prosperity and wisdom.
Sage Gautama, proud of his disciple’s accomplishments and the trials he had overcome, imparted to Uttanka the highest spiritual knowledge and secrets of the scriptures as a further blessing. Uttanka's fame as a devoted disciple and a learned sage spread far and wide, and he became known for his wisdom, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to his guru.
Thus, Uttanka's journey to secure the kundalas of Queen Madayanti became a legendary tale, celebrated for its lessons on devotion, perseverance, and the sanctity of the guru-shishya (teacher-student) relationship.