said, 'Welcome, Sir, command me what I have to do.' And Utanka said unto
her, 'It behoveth thee to give me those ear-rings of thine. I beg them as
a present for my preceptor.' And the Queen having been highly pleased
with Utanka's conduct and, considering that Utanka as an object of
charity could not be passed over, took off her ear-rings and gave them to
him. And she said, 'These ear-rings are very much sought after by
Takshaka, the King of the serpents. Therefore shouldst thou carry them
with the greatest care.'

"And Utanka being told this, said unto the Queen, 'Lady, be under no
apprehension. Takshaka, Chief of the serpents, is not able to overtake
me.' And having said this, and taking leave of the Queen, he went back
into the presence of Paushya, and said, 'Paushya, I am gratified.' Then
Paushya said to Utanka, 'A fit object of charity can only be had at long
intervals. Thou art a qualified guest, therefore do I desire to perform a
sraddha. Tarry thou a little. And Utanka replied, 'Yes, I will tarry, and
beg that the clean provisions that are ready may be soon brought in.' And
the king having signified his assent, entertained Utanka duly. And Utanka
seeing that the food placed before him had hair in it, and also that it
was cold, thought it unclean. And he said unto Paushya, 'Thou givest me
food that is unclean, therefore shalt thou lose thy sight.' And Paushya
in answer said, 'And because dost thou impute uncleanliness to food that
is clean, therefore shalt thou be without issue.' And Utanka thereupon
rejoined, 'It behoveth thee not, after having offered me unclean food, to
curse me in return. Satisfy thyself by ocular proof.'

"And Paushya seeing the food alleged to be unclean satisfied himself of
its uncleanliness. And Paushya having ascertained that the food was truly
unclean, being cold and mixed with hair, prepared as it was by a woman
with unbraided hair, began to pacify the Rishi Utanka, saying, 'Sir, the
food placed before thee is cold, and doth contain hair, having been
prepared without sufficient care. Therefore I pray thee pardon me. Let me
not become blind.' And Utanka answered, 'What I say must come to pass.
Having become blind, thou mayst, however, recover the sight before long.
Grant that thy curse also doth not take effect on me.' And Paushya said
unto him, 'I am unable to revoke my curse. For my wrath even now hath not
been appeased. But thou knowest not this. For a Brahmana's heart is soft
as ne