By Uttanka has been successful not only getting the ear ring that Guru Pathni wanted as Guru Dhakshana also came very fast as he handled all hurdles skillfully and respectfully. Then also learns from Guru about many things he saw during the course of experience.
In this part, Veda reveals to Uttanka and to the readers all the implicit meaning of events listed in Chapter 3.
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – PAUSHYA (UPA) PARVA – PART 3(I) – UTTANKA PAYS THE HONORARIUM
“Soota continued, “Then the man with the horse said to Uttanka, ‘I am pleased by this your adoration. What good shall I do to you?’
“Uttanka replied, ‘Let the snakes be brought under my control.’
“Then the man said, ‘Blow into this horse.’
“Uttanka blew into that horse. From the horse thus blown into, there issued, from every opening of his (horse’s) body, flames of fire with smoke by which the Naagaloka was about to be consumed. Takshaka, surprised beyond measure and terrified by the heat of the fire, quickly came out of his residence taking the ear-rings with him, and said to Uttanka, ‘Pray, Sir, take back the ear-rings.’ Uttanka took them back.
“But Uttanka having recovered his ear-rings thought, ‘O, this is that sacred day of my Upaadhyaayini. I am at a distance. How can I, therefore, show my regard for her?’
“When Uttanka was anxious about this, the man (on the horse) addressed him and said, ‘Ride this horse, Uttanka, and he will in a moment carry you to your Upaadhyaaya Kula.’ Uttanka having signified his acceptance, mounted the horse and presently reached his Upaadhyaaya Kula.
“His Upaadhyaayini that morning after having bathed was dressing her hair sitting, thinking of uttering a curse on Uttanka if he should not return within time. But, in the meantime, Uttanka entered the house and paid his respects to his Upaadhyaayini and presented her the ear-rings. She said ‘Uttanka, you have arrived at the proper time at the proper place. Welcome, my child; you are innocent and therefore I do not curse you! Good fortune is before you. Let your wishes be crowned with success!’
“Then Uttanka waited on his Upaadhyaaya (Veda). His Upaadhyaaya said, ‘You are welcome! What has happened during your long absence?’
“Uttanka replied to his Upaadhyaaya, ‘Sir, in the execution of this my business obstruction, was offered by Takshaka, the Naagaraja. Therefore I had to go to the Naagaloka. There I saw two ladies sitting at a loom, weaving a fabric with black and white threads. Please explain, what is that? There likewise I saw a wheel with twelve spokes without stopping was turned by six boys. What does that mean to? Who is also the man that I saw? What the horse of extraordinary size likewise seen by me? When I was on the road, I also saw a bull with a man mounted thereon, by whom I was affectionately addressed thus, ‘Uttanka, eat of the dung of this bull, which was also eaten by your Upaadhyaaya?’ So I ate of the dung of that bull according to his words. Also, who is he? Therefore, enlightened by you, I desire to hear all about them.’
“His Guru (Veda) thus addressed said to him, ‘The two ladies you have seen are Dhaataa and Vidhaataa; the black and white threads denote night and day; the wheel of twelve spokes turned by the six boys signified the year comprising six seasons. The man is Parjanya, the deity of rain, and the horse is Agni. The bull that you have seen on the road is Airaavata, the king of elephants; the man mounted thereon is (Lord) Indra; and the dung of the bull which was eaten by you was Amrita (Ambrosia in English). It was certainly for this (eating of Amrita) that you have not met with death in the Naagaloka; and (Lord) Indra who is my friend having been mercifully inclined showed you favour. It is for this that you returned safe, with the ear-rings about you. Then, O you friendly one, I give you leave to depart. You shall obtain good fortune.’
