conduct. Know, O perpetuator of Bhrigu's race, that I
have been exceedingly gratified with thee for this. If thou becomest a
young man today of sixteen years, I shall bestow on thee, O regenerate
one, this my own daughter for becoming thy wife. No other woman save this
one is capable of waiting upon thy energy." At these words of Gautama,
Utanka once again became a youth and accepted that famous maiden for his
wife. Receiving the permission of his preceptor, he then addressed his
preceptor's wife, saying,--"What shall I give thee as final fee for my
preceptor? Do thou command me. I desire to accomplish, with wealth or
even my life, what is agreeable and beneficial to thee. Whatever gem,
exceedingly wonderful and of great value, exists in this world, I shall
bring for thee with the aid of my penances. I have no doubt in this."

"'Ahalya said, "I am highly gratified with thee, O learned Brahmana, with
thy unintermitting devotion, O sinless one. This is enough. Blessed be
thou, go whithersoever thou likest."'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Utanka, however, O monarch, once more, said
these words,--"Do thou command me, O mother. It is meet that I should do
something that is agreeable to thee."

"'Ahalya said, "Blessed be thou, bring for me those celestial ear-rings
that are worn by the wife of Saudasa. That which is due to thy preceptor
will then be well-discharged." Replying unto her "So be it,"--Utanka
departed, O Janamejaya, resolved to bring those ear-rings for doing what
was agreeable to his preceptor's wife. That foremost of Brahmanas,
Utanka, proceeded without any loss of time to Saudasa who had (through
the curse of Vasishtha) become a cannibal, in order to solicit the
ear-rings from him. Gautama meanwhile said unto his wife,--"Utanka is not
to be seen today." Thus addressed, she informed him how he had departed
for fetching the jewelled ear-rings (of Saudasa's queen). At this,
Gautama said,--"Thou hast not acted wisely. Cursed (by Vasishtha), that
king (who has been transformed into a man-eater) will verily slay Utanka."

"'Ahalya said, "Without knowing this, O holy one, I have set Utanka to
this task. He shall not, however, incur any danger through thy grace."
Thus addressed by her, Gautama said,--"Let it be so!" Meanwhile, Utanka
met king Saudasa in a deserted forest.'"

SECTION LVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Beholding the king, who had become so, of frightful
mien, wearing a long beard smeared with the blood of