Vaishampayana said Seeing the king, who had become so, of frightful appearance, wearing a long beard smeared with the blood of human beings, the Brahmana Utanka, O king, did not become moved.

That highly energetic monarch, inspiring terror in every breast and loO king like a second Yama, rising up addressed Utanka, saying, ‘By good luck, O best of Brahmanas, you have come to me at the sixth hour of the day when I am in search of food.

Utanka said O king, know that I have come here in course of my wanderings for the sake of my preceptor, The wise have said that while one is engaged for the sake of one's preceptor, one should not be injured.

The king said O best of Brahmanas, food has been ordained for me at the sixth hour of the day. I am hungry. I cannot, therefore, allow you escape today.

Utanka said Let it be so, O king! Let this agreement be made with me! After I have ceased to wander for my preceptor I shall once more come and put myself within your power.

I have heard, O best of kings, that the object I seek for my preceptor is under your control, O king, therefore, O king I beg you for it.

You every day give many foremost of gems to superior Brahmanas. You are a giver, O king, from whom gifts may be accepted. know that I too am a worthy object of charity present before you, O best of kings.

Having accepted from you in gift that object for my preceptor, which is under your control, I shall, O king, on account of my agreement, once more come back to you and put myself under your power. I assure you truly of this. There is no falsehood in this. Never before have I spoken any falsehood, no not even in jest! What shall I say then of other occasions?

If the object you seck for your preceptor is capable of being placed in your hands by me. If। I be considered as one from whom a gift may be accepted, do you then say what that object is!

Utanka said O foremost of men, O Saudasa, in my estimation you are a worthy person from whom gifts may be accepted. I have, therefore, come to you for begging of you the jewelled earrings (worn by your queen).

Saudasa said Those jewelled ear-rings, O learned and twice-born Rishi, belong to my wife. They should be asked from her. Do you therefore, solicit some other things froin me. I shall give it to you, O you of excellent vows!

Utanka said If we be considered as any authority, do you cease then to urge this pretext. Do you give those jewelled ear-rings to me. Be truthful in speech, O king.

Vaishampayana said, Thus addressed, the king once addressed Utanka and said to him, Do you, at my word, go to my venerable queen, O best of men, and ask her saying, Give!' She of pure Vows, thus begged by you will certainly, at my command, give you, O foremost of twice-born persons, those jewelled ear-rings of hers without doubt. more

Utanka said Where, O king, shall I be able to meet your queen? Why do you not yourself go to her?

Saudasa said You will find hier today near a forest fountain. I cannot see her today as the sixth hour of the day has come.

Vaishampayana said, Thus addressed, Utanka, O chief of Bharata's race, then left that place. Seeing Madayanti, he informed her of his object.

Hearing the order of Saudasa, that lady of large eyes replied to the highly intelligent Utanka, O Janamejaya, in these words.

It is even so, Otwice-born one. You should, however, O sinless one, assure me that you do not say what is untrue! You should bring me some signet from my husband.

These celestial ear-rings of mine, made of rich gems, are such that the celestials and Yakshas and great Rishis always watch for opportunities for taking them away.

If placed at any time on the Earth, this costly article would then be stolen by the Nagas. If worn by one who is impure on account of eating, it would then be taken away by the Yakshas. If the wearer falls asleep, the celestials would then take them away.

O best of Brahmanas, these ear-rings are capable of being taken away when such opportunities come, by celestials and Rakshasas and Nagas, if worn by a careless person.

O best of twice-born ones, these ear-rings, day and night, always produce gold. At night, they shine brightly, attracting the rays of stars and constellations.

O holy one, if worn by any one, he would be freed from hunger and thirst and fear of every sort. The wearer of these ear-rings is freed also from the fear of poison and fire and every kind of danger.

If wom by one of short stature, these become short. If worn by one of tall stature, these grow in size.

Even of such virtucs are these ear-rings of mine. they lauded and honoured everywhere. Indeed, they are known over the three worlds. Do you, therefore, bring inc some sign. are