Shloka 2
Uttaṅka’s Petition for Madayantī’s Divine Earrings (Maṇikuṇḍala) — Agreement, Proof, and Vigilance
वैशम्पायन उवाच उत्तड़को महता युक्तस्तपसा जनमेजय । गुरुभक्त: स तेजस्वी नान्यत् किंचिदपूजयत्,वैशम्पायनजीने कहा--जनमेजय! उत्तंक मुनि बड़े भारी तपस्वी, तेजस्वी और गुरुभक्त थे। उन्होंने जीवनमें गुरुक सिवा दूसरे किसी देवताकी आराधना नहीं की थी
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: Uttaṅko mahatā yuktaḥ tapasā Janamejaya; gurubhaktas sa tejasvī nānyat kiñcid apūjayat.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, the sage Uttaṅka was endowed with great austerity. Radiant in spiritual power and steadfast in devotion to his teacher, he offered worship to none other—holding the guru alone as his supreme object of reverence.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates guru-bhakti as a central ethical and spiritual discipline: true radiance (tejas) is grounded in tapas and unwavering reverence for one’s teacher, without scattering devotion among competing objects.
Vaiśampāyana introduces Uttaṅka to King Janamejaya by describing his character—his great austerities, spiritual brilliance, and exclusive devotion to his guru—setting the stage for Uttaṅka’s role in the ensuing account.