Utanka - I
After gaining an audience with the king and after completing the formal greetings, Utanka put forward his request and reasons thereof. Paushya told him that the earrings belonged to the Queen and hence he would have to settle this issue with her. He gave Utanka permission to enter the woman's section of the palace where the Queen lived. However he could not find the Queen in her private chamber. Furious at being treated shabbily he returned to the King and vented his ire. The king was surprised. He thought for a while and said, "Perhaps you are in a state of defilement. My wife is a chaste woman and cannot be seen by anyone who is defiled."
Utanka recollected his encounter with the man and the bull and realised that the King was right. He cleansed himself the ritualistic way and once again entered the Queen's chamber. This time he saw the Queen. He greeted her in the customary manner and explained his situation to her. The Queen understood his need and consented to give the earrings. However she warned him that Takshaka, the King of the serpents, was trying to get hold of these earrings since long and Utanka should be vary of him. Utanka assured her that he would take every precaution so she need not worry. He again returned to the King.
The King requested Utanka to partake of his hospitality before leaving and ordered that a fitting meal be prepared for the guest. However when the food was placed before him, Utanka saw that it was not only cold but had hair in it. Utanka fumed again and cursed the King that he would become blind. The King refusing to believe that the food was cold and unclean cursed Utanka that he would die without having any children. Utanka insisted that the King examine the food and arrive at a verified conclusion. The King did so and realised that he was in the wrong. He begged Utanka's forgiveness and pleaded that Utanka revoke his curse. Utanka expressed his inability to revoke the curse but said that it would not be permanent and then King's eyesight would be restored within a short time of his becoming blind. He then demanded that the King withdraw or modify his curse. Paushya was totally helpless and begged forgiveness once again. Utanka forgave him. He said, "Since you were in the wrong your curse will
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