Shloka 27
Uttanka’s Guru-Śuśrūṣā and the Commission to Retrieve the Maṇikuṇḍalas (उत्तङ्क-गुरुशुश्रूषा तथा मणिकुण्डल-आदेशः)
मया त्वदर्थमुक्तो वै वज्पाणि: पुरंदर:
mayā tvadartham ukto vai vajrapāṇiḥ purandaraḥ | bhṛgunandana! mayā tava kṛte vajradhariṇam indram upetya proktaṃ—tvaṃ uttankaṃ munim amṛtarūpeṇa jalaṃ pradāsyasi | mama vacanaṃ śrutvā prabhāvavān devendraḥ punar punar mām uvāca—‘manuṣyo’ maraṇadharmā; tasmād amṛtaṃ mā pradāḥ, anyo varaḥ pradīyatām’ iti | ahaṃ tu śacīpatiṃ indraṃ balavad avadam—‘uttankāya amṛtam eva dātavyam’ iti |
Wika ni Uttaḍuka: “Dahil sa iyo, ako’y nagtungo at nagsalita kay Purandara, si Indra na may hawak ng vajra. O inapo ni Bhṛgu, sinabi ko sa may hawak ng kulog: ‘Ihandog mo sa pantas na si Uttaṅka ang amṛta, ang nektar ng kawalang-kamatayan, sa anyo ng tubig.’ Nang marinig niya ang aking pakiusap, paulit-ulit na tumugon ang makapangyarihang Devendra: ‘Hindi maaaring maging walang-kamatayan ang tao; kaya huwag siyang bigyan ng amṛta—ibang biyaya ang ibigay.’ Ngunit mariin kong pinilit si Indra, ang panginoon ni Śacī, na igiit: ‘Amṛta lamang ang dapat matanggap ni Uttaṅka.’”
उत्तडुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even divine power is portrayed as operating within limits: Indra asserts that humans cannot be made immortal, suggesting a cosmic boundary on boons. The passage also highlights steadfast advocacy—Uttaduka insists on what he believes is right for Uttanka, illustrating resolve and loyalty in seeking a promised good.
Uttaduka reports that he approached Indra on someone’s behalf and requested that Indra grant the sage Uttanka amṛta in the form of water. Indra repeatedly refuses, offering an alternative boon because humans are not meant to be deathless. Uttaduka, however, continues to press Indra, insisting that amṛta alone should be given to Uttanka.