Utanka’s Run-Away Earrings
A lesser-known adventure from the Mahābhārata (Ādi-parva, “Paushya-Upākhyāna”)
1 A Quick Mahābhārata Refresher
The Mahābhārata isn’t only about mighty warriors and the Kurukṣetra war. It’s a library of side-quests—tales of sages, snakes, flying chariots, and talking frogs. Today’s story happens long before the famous battlefield, when the world was still buzzing with wandering students called brahmacharins.
2 Meet the Characters
| Person (or Serpent!) | Why You Should Know Them |
|---|---|
| Utanka | A young scholar who can chant Veda hymns and sprint like a deer. |
| Āchārya Gautama | Utanka’s strict but loving teacher (guru). |
| Gautamī | The guru’s wife; she keeps the ashram running. |
| Queen of Paushya | Owner of a pair of magical pearl earrings. |
| Takṣaka | King of the Nāgas (serpents) and part-time jewelry thief. |
| Indra | King of the gods, rides an elephant and throws thunderbolts for fun. |
3 The Promise of Guru-Dakṣiṇā
When a student graduated from a forest academy, he offered one last service called guru-dakṣiṇā—a “thank-you task.” Utanka bowed and asked:
“गुरुदक्षिणां करिष्ये?”
gurudakṣiṇāṁ kariṣye? – “May I render a guru-dakṣiṇā?”
Gautamī smiled mischievously. She’d admired the Queen of Paushya’s pearl earrings for years and said,
“Bring me those earrings—within four days, or keep studying!”
Utanka gulped but agreed. Rule #1 in the Mahābhārata: when your teacher asks, you figure it out.
4 Borrowing Royal Jewelry (Politely!)
Utanka raced to King Paushya’s palace and recited his mission. The king was out hunting, but the gracious Queenlistened. Surprised by Utanka’s humility, she actually handed over the pearls:
“Return them safely; they bite thieves harder than cobras!”
Utanka wrapped the earrings in cloth, set off, and thought, Easy!—famous last words.
5 Enter Takṣaka, the Sneaky Snake King
Mid-journey Utanka stopped to bathe. While he chanted a mantra with eyes closed, a thin branch slithered down, snatched the bundle, and vanished into an anthill. Takṣaka!
Utanka cried,
“नागलोकं गच्छामि!”
nāgalokaṁ gacchāmi – “Then I’ll go to snake-world!”
He jabbed a stick into the anthill entrance—nothing. He needed divine help.
6 How to Hitch a Ride on a Thunderbolt
Determined, Utanka performed a blazing austerity (standing on one leg, arms raised, no blinking). Indra’s clouds rumbled; the god appeared on his white elephant Airāvata.
“Climb on,” Indra commanded, handing him a vajra (thunderbolt drill). They bored straight into the anthill, which opened like elevator doors to Nāgaloka—glittering halls, ruby pillars, serpents lounging like rock stars.
7 Riddles, Roulettes, and a Mouthful of Smoke
Takṣaka wasn’t home, but his courtiers hissed challenges. Utanka answered riddles about fire and time; each correct reply lit a row of lamps guiding him deeper. He reached a hall where maid-serpents dozed—earrings on a silver tray beside them!
Just then Takṣaka slithered in. Utanka’s heart thumped. He remembered a trick Gautama had taught: “Everything eats something—serpents fear smoke.” He rubbed Arani sticks, blew sacred fire, and filled the chamber with thick fumes. Coughing, the Nāga king dropped the pearls. Utanka grabbed them, leapt onto Indra’s elephant, and whooshed back to Earth.
8 The Four-Day Deadline—Met on the Dot
Gautamī received the earrings with tears of pride. Utanka bowed:
“यत्नात् सिद्धिः”
yatnāt siddhiḥ – “Success comes from effort.”
Guru and disciple embraced; in return, Gautama taught Utanka a mantra able to summon rain in deserts—a gift better than pearls.
9 Why This Tale Matters (and Is Rarely Told)
Less-Known Hero Utanka isn’t a household name like Arjuna, but his grit equals any warrior’s.
Respect + Courage He honors his teacher yet argues with snake-kings—balance!
Ingenuity over Weapons A thunderbolt drill and homemade smoke beat fangs and venom.
Clock-Ticking Adventure Four-day timer makes the story feel like a mythic video game quest.
10 Four Fun Sanskrit Lines to Learn
| # | Devanāgarī | Transliteration | “In Kid English” |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | गुरुदक्षिणां करिष्ये | gurudakṣiṇāṁ kariṣye | “I will pay my teacher’s due.” |
| 2 | नागलोकं गच्छामि | nāgalokaṁ gacchāmi | “I’m heading to snake-world!” |
| 3 | यत्नात् सिद्धिः | yatnāt siddhiḥ | “Try hard—succeed.” |
| 4 | अहिंसा अस्त्रं परम् | ahiṁsā astraṁ param | “Clever, non-violent tricks are the best weapon.” |
Memorize one each time you finish homework: they’re power-ups for perseverance, just like Utanka’s.
And next time someone says the Mahābhārata is only about a war, smile and reply, “Have you heard the one with the quantum conch, the talking dog at a riddle-lake, or the runaway earrings of Utanka?”
Because in India’s epic universe, even a pearl earring can launch a thunderbolt ride into the underground world of snakes.
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