“Saudasa said, ’If the object thou seekest for thy preceptor is capable of being placed in thy hands by me, if I be regarded as one from whom a gift may be accepted, do thou then say what that object is.’

“Utanka said, ’O foremost of men, O Saudasa, in my estimation thou art a worthy person from whom gifts may be accepted.  I have, therefore, come to thee for begging of thee the jewelled ear-rings (worn by thy queen).’

“Saudasa said, ’Those jewelled ear-rings, O learned and regenerate Rishi, belong to my wife.  They should be asked from her.  Do thou, therefore, solicit some other thing from me.  I shall give it to thee, O thou of excellent vows.’

“Utanka said, ’If we be regarded as any authority, do thou cease then to urge this pretext.  Do thou give those jewelled ear-rings to me.  Be thou truthful in speech, O king.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed, the king once more addressed Utanka and said unto him, ’Do thou, at my word, go to my venerable queen, O best of men, and ask her, saying,—­Give!—­She of pure vows, thus solicited by thee, will certainly, at my command, give thee, O foremost of regenerate persons, those jewelled ear-rings of hers without doubt.’

“Utanka said, ’Whither, O ruler of men, shall I be able to meet thy queen?  Why dost thou not thyself go to her?’

“Saudasa said, ’Thou wilt find her today in the vicinity of a foremost fountain.  I cannot see her today as the sixth hour of the day has come.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus addressed, Utanka, O chief of Bharata’s race, then left that spot.  Beholding Madayanti, he informed her of his object.  Hearing the command of Saudasa, that lady of large eyes replied unto the highly intelligent Utanka, O Janamejaya, in these words:  ’It is even so, O regenerate one.  Thou shouldst, however, O sinless one, assure me that thou dost not say what is untrue.  It behoves thee to bring me some sign from my husband.  These celestial ear-rings of mine, made of costly gems, are such that the deities and Yakshas and great Rishis always watch for opportunities for bearing them away.  If placed at any time on the Earth, this costly article would then be stolen by the Nagas.  If worn by one who is impure in consequence of eating, it would then be taken away by the Yakshas.  If the wearer falls asleep (without taking care of these precious ear-rings) the deities would then take them away.  O best of Brahmanas, these ear-rings are capable of being taken away, when such opportunities present themselves, by deities and Rakshasas and Nagas, if worn by a heedless person.  O best of regenerate ones, these ear-rings, day and night, always produce gold.  At night, they shine brightly, attracting the rays of stars and constellations.  O holy one, if worn by any one, he would be freed from hunger and thirst and fear of every kind.  The wearer of these ear-rings is freed also from the fear of poison and fire and every kind of danger.  If worn by one of short stature, these become short.  If worn by one of tall stature, these grow in size.  Even of such virtues are these ear-rings of mine.  They are praised and honoured everywhere.  Indeed, they are known over the three worlds.  Do thou, therefore, bring me some sign (from my husband).’”