Adi Parvamu- The Story of Udanka

There lived a Muni (Sage) named Udanka. He was the disciple of Paila MahaMuni. He was renowned in Penance and attained great fame from his righteousness. He was in Gurukul and performed his duties as a good disciple. He greatly respected his teacher. He achieved wisdom and was virtuous. He had attained AshtaSiddhis which are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapthi, Prakamyam, Ishitva and Vashitva. He was a very trustworthy disciple one can ever have. Seeing his great qualities and pious nature, Paila MahaMuni left him in charge of his house and wife when he had to go on an important work for a very long time. GuruPatni ( Paila Mahamuni's wife) had just finished her menstrual cycle and she wanted Udanka to possess her sexually. But Udanka was not inclined in such immoral activities and he stayed away from her. Later Paila returned and praised Udanka for his services rendered in his absence. He relieved Udanka and said that he had successfully completed his studies and it is time for him to get married and settle down. Udanka asked Paila what he wishes to have as GuruDakshina. Paila said that all his services were more than enough, but if he wished to give something then he should ask his wife if she needs anything. Udanka asked Gurupatni what she wanted to have. She said " King Paushya's wife Maharani Paushya has Golden Kundalas in her ears, I have desired them for a long time. If possible get them for me and mind you I need them in 4 days".

Udanka said that he will fulfill her wish and left Gurukul. He started walking through the forest alone. After a while he found a Divya Purusha ( A god like person, radiant personality) sitting on an Ox. He asked Udanka to eat the dung of the Ox. Udanka did what he was told and he received the mercy of the Divya Purusha. He then went to King Paushya. Paushya received him with great respect and honour. Udanka said " King Paushya, I have come here to ask you something. I would like to have the Golden Kundalas ( Earrings) that your queen wears. I have to give them as GuruDakshina. King Paushya said " I am honoured to have the oppurtunity to give them to a great saint like you. No one will stop you. Please tell my queen that I have asked her to give them to you". Udanka left to Antahpura( Abode of the Queen) but he did not find her there. He returned back to the King and asked him to get the Kundalas for him.

Paushya was surprised and said " The queen is inside but mind you she is a Maha Pativrata and a very sacred person. She will not be seen by people lacking Suchi ( Radiant Glow). But your are Triloka Pavana ( considered sacred and pious in all three Worlds), How can I accuse you of lacking Suchi?" Udanka thought for a while and said " Maybe, Yes. I have eaten Dung of an Ox and did not purify myslef after that. This might be the reason why I am not able to see her." He went to the east side and cleaned his legs, hands and face. He performed Aachamanam and left for Antahpuram (abode of the queen). Maharani Paushya greeted him and gave him her Golden Kundalas. She cautioned him saying " Takshaka is after these Kundalas. He is fearless and never gives up easily. His slight of hand is amazing and you will never realize when he steals". Udanka asked her not to worry and said he would be careful. He bid goodbye to the King, but the King asked him to stay for Dinner and leave. Udanka Obliged and stayed back.

While eating the meal Udanka found a strand of hair in his plate and he became furious. He cursed the King " You offered me food that is unclean, you shall become Blind". Paushya became very angry and cursed Udanka " You have given me a very big curse for a very small mistake, You will be childless and barren". Udanka got back in to senses and begged the King to take back his curse. Paushya said " Udanka, a Bramhin is harsh at words and kind at heart, but this is reverse for a Kshatriya(King), So your curse can be taken back but not mine. Please take back your curse". Udanka said that the King would regain his sight in a few days.

Udanka finally got the Kundalas for GuruPatni and was on his way back to Gurukul. On the way he saw a water pond. He put the Kundalas on the shore and went in for Aachamanam. Takshaka had been following Udanka in a disguise of Digambara all this time, as soon as Udanka went in to the water he stole the Kundalas and ran away. Udanka followed Digambara like an eagle and caught him. As soon as Udanka caught him he turned in to a snake and sled in to a snake hole along with the Kundalas. He went to Patala Loka (The lowest of the seven subterranean heavenly planets. It is inhabited by the Nagas, great serpents). Udanka realized that the snake was none other than Takshaka. Udanka also entered the snake hole and went to Patala Loka, but he could not find Takshaka. He prayed to Naga Raja ( King of Serpents). He praised and prayed Naga Raja extensively. He then saw a wonderful scene, he saw two women weaving threads which were white and black. There were six others who were rotaing a wheel with 12 spokes. Later a big horse, and then he saw a Divya Purusha riding the Horse. Udanka praised the Divya Purusha with meaningful phrases. The Divya Purusha was pleased by Udanka and said that Udanka was very pure and only spoke truth out of his heart and asked him to ask for a blessing.

Udanka said that he wants to take control of Naga Loka ( World of Serpents, also referred as Pathala Loka). Divya Purusha said " If you wish that, then blow air in the ears of this Horse". As soon as Udanka blew air in to its ears, the Horse started spitting Fire from all Nava Randras ( Nine prominent holes in the body). The fire was very wild and it spread all around Patala Loka. It was like a ghastly wild fire bringing an end to Naga Loka. All the serpents were extremely frightened. Takshaka realized the gravity of the situation and came out of hiding. He returned the Kundalas to Udanka and asked for forgiveness.

Udanka was relieved about having the Kundalas back but now his worry was about getting back to Gurukul from Patala Loka. Gurupatni wanted them in 4 days and already it was the day 4. All his efforts will go in vain if he does not give her the Kundalas as promised. Udanka was sad and was worried about this. Divya Purusha then consoled Udanka and asked him not to worry. He then asked Udanka to sit on the Horse and close his eyes and think of the place he needs to reach. Udanka reached Gurukul in no time. By the time Udanka reached GuruPatni was ready wearing a new saree and was waiting for the Kundalas. Udanka gave the Kundalas to her and asked for her blessings. Paila Mahamuni asked him what took him so long as Paushya Kingdom was very close by. Udanka explained everything that happened on his way and how he recovered the Kundalas from Takshaka. Paila Mahamuni was surprised by what Udanka told him and said that he was very lucky to have encountered all this and said "The Divya Purusha who you saw on the OX is none other than Devendra. The Ox is Airavata. The Dung that you ate is Amrutham. That is the sole reason you were able to acheive the Kundalas without any hurdle. The women who you saw in Patala are Dhata ( the creator) and Vidhata (The Ordainer of the laws of conduct for all, including the likes of yama). The white and black threads were Day and Night, the cloth was a complete day, the Wheel was a year, the 12 spokes were 12 months, the six others were six seasons, the Horse was Agnihotra. The Divya Purusha on the horse was Megha a friend of Indra. All these good things happened to you because of your loyalty towards your teacher. Paila was very happy about Udanka for giving the Kundalas and blessed him to get married and lead a happy life.

Udanka prayed to his teachers feet and left. He performed penance for a long time, but he could not forget the deciet of Takshaka. He wanted to take revenge on him. Udanka would not be satisfied until something is done to Takshaka and he suffers from his misdeeds. Udanka went to King Janamejaya and said " Oh King! Your father Parikshit was a great King. He used to treat his subjects and people like his own children. Such great person was killed by the venomous Takshaka, that too based on the words of a Bramhin. He also decieved me by taking the Kundalas that I had to give to my Gurupatni. You should avenge the murder of your father, there is only one way to do that and that is Sarpayagam( a yagna performed to Kill serpents). All the bad serpents roaming freely on earth will be destroyed including Takshaka. What if one person is bad in the entire Clan, let the whole Clan be destroyed".

Janamejaya took Udanka's word seriously and started making preperations of the Yagna. Asthika(born to a sage and a NagaKanya(snake woman)) a friend of Janamejaya stops him from this. Earlier Ruru was also in a spree to kill the snakes bu he was stopped by Sahasrapada Let us listen to Ruru's story next....