to him, I shall then assume the form of a hunter and give it to that high-souled descendant of Bhrigu’s race.  If that son of Bhrigu accepts it thus, I then go to him, O lord, for giving it unto him.  If, however, he sends me away from disregard,—­I shall not then give it to him on any account,—­Having made this compact with me, Vasava appeared before thee, in that disguise, for giving thee nectar.  Thou, however, didst disregard him and send him away, seeing that the illustrious one had put on the guise of a Chandala.  Thy fault has been great.  Once more, with regard to thy desire, I am prepared to do what is in my power.  Indeed, this painful thirst of thine, I shall arrange, shall be slaked.  On those days, O regenerate one, in which thou wilt feel a desire for water, clouds well-charged with water will rise over this desert.  Those clouds, O son of Bhrigu’s race, will give thee savoury water to drink.  Verily, those clouds will become known in the world as Utanka-clouds.’  Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became filled with gladness, and to this day, O Bharata, Utanka-clouds (appear and) shower rain on and deserts.’”

SECTION LVI

“Janamejaya said, ’With what penances was the high-souled Utanka endued so that he entertained the wish to denounce a curse on Vishnu himself, who is the source of all puissance?’

“Vaisampayana said, ’O Janamejaya, Utanka was endued with austere penances.  He was devoted to his preceptor.  Endued with great energy, he abstained from worshipping anybody else.  All the children of the Rishis O Bharata, entertained even this wish, viz., that their devotion to preceptors should be as great as that of Utanka.  Gautama’s gratification with and affection for Utanka, among his numerous disciples, were very great, O Janamejaya.  Indeed, Gautama was highly pleased with the self-restraint and purity of behaviour that characterised Utanka, and with his acts of prowess and the services he rendered to him.  One after another, thousands of disciples received the preceptor’s permission to return home (after the completion of their pupilage).  In consequence, however, of his great affection for Utanka, Gautama could not permit him to leave his retreat.  Gradually, in course of time, O son, decrepitude overtook Utanka, that great ascetic.  The ascetic, however, in consequence of his devotion to his preceptor, was not conscious of it.  One day, he set out, O monarch, for fetching fuel for his preceptor.  Soon after Utanka brought a heavy load of fuel.  Toil-worn and hungry and afflicted by the load he bore on his head, O chastiser of foes, he threw the load down on the Earth, O king.  One of his matted locks, white as silver, had become entangled with the load.  Accordingly, when the load was thrown down, with it fell on the earth that matted lock of hair.  Oppressed as he had been by that load and overcome by hunger, O Bharata, Utanka, beholding that sign of old age, began to indulge in