After the Mahabharata war got over and having spent considerable time in the company of Pandavas, Krishna started his journey back to Dwaraka. On his way, he had to cross the desert region where water was very limited.Therein he met a great ascetic, named Utanka. Krishna paid his respects to Utanka and was respectfully worshipped by the ascetic in return,. After enquiring about Krishna's welfare, Utanka asked Krishna, did he succeed in establishing peace between Pandavas & Kauravas?
Krishna said, 'I did my best to bring peace, but Kauravas didn't heed to my advice and also ignored the wise counsel of Bhishma & Vidura. Ultimately, a great war happened between Kauravas & Pandavas. The Kauravas along with their friends & relatives went to the abode of Yama". When Krishna had said these words, Utanka, was filled with anger, and said 'Since, even though you were able, you didn't stop the war, I am going to curse you. "Vasudeva said, please listen to me before uttering your curse. No harm is going to come me from your curse and I don't want merits acquired by you through penances to be exhausted by making a curse. After having heard my words, if you wish, then you may curse me
Krishna said, 'Know that the three qualities of Tamas, Rajas and Sattva exist, depending on me as their refuge. Additionally, know that the Rudras,Vasus. Daityas, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Nagas and Apsaras have sprung from me. In me are all creatures, and in all creatures do I exist. Whatever is manifest and not-manifest, whatever is destructible and indestructible, all have me for their soul. There is nothing higher or beyond me I am the eternal god of gods. Know that all the Vedas beginning with Om are identical with me. I am the sacrificial stake, I am the Soma , I am the offering in the sacrifice and I am the sacrifice itself. Dharma is my eldest-born offspring, sprung from my mind, whose essence is compassion for all creatures. I keep transforming myself and keep taking birth in diverse wombs, for upholding dharma, with the aid of men now existing or departed from the world. I do this for protecting righteousness and for establishing it. I am known, in the three worlds as Vishnu, Brahman and Indra. I am the origin and I am also the destroyer of all those creatures that live in sinfulness. When, I live in the order of the deities, I then act in every respect as a deity. When I live in the order of the Gandharvas, I then act in every respect as a Gandharva. When I live in the order of the Nagas, I then act as a Naga, and when I live in the order of Yakshas or that of Rakshasas, I act after the manner of that order. Born now in the order of humans, I must act as a human being. I appealed to the Kauravas most piteously but they refused to accept my words. I also frightened them by referring to the consequences of ignoring my message but as they were possessed by unrighteousness, and were under the impact of Time, all of them have been righteously killed in battle, and have, without doubt, gone to heaven.
After hearing this from Krishna, Utanka said, 'I know you, to be the creator of the universe, this knowledge that I have,is the result of your grace towards me. My heart is now free of agitation and I no longer wish to curse you. However, if, you are pleased with me, then please show me once your divine form. Gratified with him, Krishna, then showed Utanka that Vishvaroopa which He had shown to Arjuna Beholding that high and wonderful form of the Supreme Lord, Utanka became filled with wonder. Utanka, said, "I bow to you , O Soul of the universe, O parent of all things".
Having shown his divine form, Krishna asked Utanka for a boon as the sight of this supreme form cannot be fruitless. Utanka said, "O lord, as water is very scarce in this region, I desire to have water whenever I wish to quench my thirst". Vasudeva said, whenever you require water, just think of me! Having said so, Krishna proceeded towards Dwaraka. Subsequently, one day, Utanka, was exceedingly thirsty as he was wandering over the desert and he thought of Krishna Immediately, he held in front of him a naked hunter, full of dirt and surrounded by a pack of dogs and water issuing from his urinary organs .The hunter smilingly addressed him, saying, 'O Utanka, do you drink this water. Utanka, refused to drink that water and became extremely angry with the hunter, but before he could utter a curse the hunter disappeared from there. Now, Utanka was puzzled and thought this was some trick played on him by Krishna. Just then, Krishna appeared there.
Utanka questioned Krishna, "Was it proper for you to offer water to a Brahmana in the form of a hunter's urine". Janaradana smilingly said, "water was offered to you in the form, which was best suitable for you, however you couldn't understand it". I had asked Indra to give you Amrutam in the form for water, however Indra said its not proper to give Amrutam to ordinary mortals. However on my insistence, Indra said, I'll take a form of hunter and give him water in a way I find fit. If, he drinks it then he'll get Amrutam. So, it was the King of gods who had come to give you nectar but you refused it. You made a big mistake, however, I'll still fulfill your wish. Whenever you wish to have water, on those days, clouds well-charged with water will rise over this desert. Those clouds, will give you sweet water to drink, also those clouds will become known in the world as Utanka-clouds.' Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became happy, and to this day Utanka-clouds (appear and) shower rain on the deserts.
Why Utanaka was such a great ascetic that he could think of cursing Krishna? Wait for the next blog..
