Ugrashrava said:
“King Janajaya, the son of Parikshit, once undertook a great sacrificial session at Kurukshetra.
“He was accompanied by his three brothers—Shrutasena, Ugrasena, and Bhimasena.
“While the sacrifice was in progress and the princes were seated among the assembled priests and nobles, a young dog wandered into the sacrificial grounds.
“The animal ant no harm. It simply entered the area out of curiosity.
“But Janajaya's brothers, displeased by its presence, struck it and drove it away.
“Whimpering in pain and humiliation, the dog ran to its mother.
“Seeing her son crying, the mother asked,
‘Why are you weeping? Who has done this to you?’
“The young dog replied,
‘The brothers of King Janajaya beat .’
“His mother frowned.
‘You must have done sothing wrong,’ she said. ‘Surely they would not have punished you without a reason.’
“But the dog shook his head.
‘I did nothing wrong. I did not touch the sacrificial offerings. I did not lick the sacred ghee. I did not even look at it.’
“When she heard this, his mother, Sarama—the divine hound of the gods—was filled with anger and sorrow.
“Unable to tolerate the unjust treatnt of her innocent son, she went directly to the sacrificial grounds where Janajaya and his brothers were conducting their sacred rites.
“There, before the assembled participants, Sarama addressed the king.
‘My son committed no offense.
‘He neither touched your offerings nor even looked upon them.
‘Why then was he beaten?
‘Since you have hard one who was innocent and caused suffering to one who had done no wrong, a calamity shall co upon you when you least expect it.’
“Having spoken these terrible words, Sarama pronounced her curse.
“The atmosphere of the sacrifice grew heavy.
“Though the rites continued, Janajaya was deeply disturbed.
“He knew that the words of a divine being were never spoken lightly.
“The curse lingered in his mind long after the sacrifice ended.
“When the ceremonies were finally completed, Janajaya returned to Hastinapura.
“But he found no peace.
“The warning of Sarama haunted him.
“Fearing the unseen misfortune that awaited him, he began searching for a priest of exceptional spiritual power—soone capable of neutralizing the curse and protecting him from the consequences of his wrongdoing.
“He spared no effort in this search.
“For he knew that a king might defend himself against enemies he could see.
“But the danger foretold by a divine curse was another matter entirely.”
Ugrashrava continued:
“One day, while hunting through a remote region of his kingdom, King Janajaya ca upon a secluded hermitage.
“It was the dwelling of a sage nad Shrutashrava.
“The ascetic lived a life of simplicity and contemplation, and among all his possessions he cherished one above all others—his son, Somashrava.
“When Janajaya learned of the young ascetic's reputation, he approached him with a purpose in mind.
“The king desired a priest powerful enough to protect him from the unseen consequences of Sarama's curse.
“Therefore he respectfully approached the sage and, bowing before him, said:
‘Revered one, grant your son. Let him serve as my royal priest.’
“Shrutashrava regarded the king thoughtfully before replying.
‘O Janajaya, my son is no ordinary man.
‘He is a great ascetic, learned in the sacred scriptures and strengthened by the power of severe austerities.
‘His birth itself was extraordinary.
‘A serpent once swallowed my seed, and within that serpent's womb this son was conceived and nurtured.
‘Through his spiritual power he is capable of removing the effects of every sin—except those committed against Mahadeva himself.
‘Yet there is one condition you must understand before taking him into your service.
‘My son observes a sacred vow.
‘Whenever a Brahmana asks him for anything, he must grant the request.
‘He cannot refuse, no matter what is asked of him.
‘If you are willing to accept this condition, then take him with you.’
“Janajaya did not hesitate.
‘Revered sage,’ he replied, ‘I accept your condition. It shall be exactly as you have said.’
“With his father's blessing, Somashrava entered the king's service.
“On returning to his capital, Janajaya assembled his brothers and addressed them.
‘This man is now our priest and spiritual guide.
‘Whatever he commands, you must obey without argunt or hesitation.’
“The princes accepted their brother's command and agreed to honor the new priest.
“Soon afterward, Janajaya marched against the kingdom of Takshashila.
“The campaign was successful, and he brought the region under his authority.
“While these events were unfolding, there lived another renowned sage nad Ayoda Dhaumya.
“He was a respected teacher and had three devoted disciples:
Aruni,
Upamanyu,
and Veda.
“Each served their master with complete dedication, as was the custom in the ancient gurukulas.
“One day, after heavy rains had damaged the fields, Dhaumya called for Aruni, the disciple from Panchala.
‘Go,’ said the sage, ‘and repair the breach in the embanknt. The water is escaping from the field.’
“Aruni imdiately bowed to his teacher.
“Without question or delay, he set out to carry out the task entrusted to him.
“And thus began one of the most famous stories of devotion between teacher and disciple.”
Aruni imdiately obeyed his teacher's command and went to the field.
When he arrived, he found that a breach had opened in the embanknt. Water was pouring through the gap and draining away from the field.
He tried everything he could think of to stop the flow.
He piled mud into the opening.
He gathered stones and branches.
Again and again he attempted to seal the breach.
But the force of the water swept away every barrier he built.
As the hours passed, Aruni grew exhausted. Yet he could not bring himself to return to his teacher in failure.
Standing beside the rushing water, he searched desperately for another solution.
At last an idea ca to him.
"There is only one way," he thought.
Without hesitation, he climbed into the breach and stretched his body across the opening.
His weight blocked the gap.
The water ceased flowing.
Cold, wet, and uncomfortable, Aruni remained there, determined not to abandon the task entrusted to him.
Ti passed.
Back at the hermitage, Ayoda Dhaumya noticed that Aruni had not returned.
Turning to his other disciples, he asked,
"Where is Aruni?"
They replied,
"Revered Master, you sent him to repair the breach in the embanknt."
Realizing that his disciple had been gone for a long ti, Dhaumya beca concerned.
"Co," he said. "Let us go and find him."
Accompanied by his students, the sage made his way to the field.
When they arrived, Aruni was nowhere to be seen.
The teacher called out loudly:
"Aruni! Where are you, my child? Co here!"
The voice reached Aruni's ears.
At once he rose from the breach he had been blocking with his own body.
The water imdiately burst through the opening once more, but Aruni paid it no attention.
He hurried to his teacher, bowed respectfully, and stood before him with folded hands.
"Master," he said, "I was unable to stop the water by any other ans. Therefore I lay down in the breach and blocked it with my body.
"When I heard your voice, I rose at once and ca to you. In doing so, I opened the embanknt again.
"I now stand before you. Please command . What would you have do?"
For a mont, Dhaumya looked at his disciple in silence.
He saw the mud covering his body, the exhaustion in his face, and the unwavering devotion that had led him to sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of his teacher's command.
The sage's heart filled with affection.
"My son," he said, "because you rose up after splitting open the embanknt you had closed, you shall henceforth be known as Uddalaka."
Then he blessed him.
"Because you carried out my instruction with such faith and dedication, great fortune shall be yours.
"The knowledge of all the Vedas will shine within you.
"The wisdom of all the sacred laws and scriptures will beco clear to your understanding.
"You shall attain fa and greatness among the wise."
Thus blessed by his teacher, Aruni—now known as Uddalaka—received the rewards of his obedience, devotion, and selfless service.
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