Krishna Meets Uttanka - A Divine Encounter After the Mahabharata

A Sage's Accusation

Uttanka was shocked and angry. "You're Vishnu Himself," he said. "Why didn't you stop this war? So much bloodshed!" He even prepared to curse Krishna for allowing it. This reflected the feelings many had about the devastation of the war.

The Cosmic Revelation

Krishna gently calmed him, explaining how he tried to make peace offering even five villages to the Kauravas but they refused. Then Krishna revealed his Vishvarupa, the universal form, just as he had to Arjuna and Gandhari. Seeing Krishna's divine form, Uttanka was awestruck and bowed in reverence.

The Gift of Water

Krishna offered Uttanka any boon. Uttanka asked for one thing whenever he felt thirsty, water should come to him. Krishna granted it. So the next time the sage walked through a desert, he crossed paths with a low-caste man with water from a skin bag.

A Lesson in Humility

Out of pride, Uttanka refused the water, only to see the man vanish. Krishna then appeared and explained that man was actually Indra in disguise, offering nectar. Uttanka realized his mistake and felt deep shame for letting pride override his need.

To restore his dignity, Krishna added: "From now on, celestial clouds will respond to you - rain will come whenever you call." Those desert showers are still known as "Uttanka's clouds." Uttanka returned home, humbled and blessed.

What This Moment Teaches Us

• Divine plans are complex: Even gods allow tough events if it aligns with dharma.
• Arrogance blinds us: Uttanka, a sage, nearly cursed God-until he learned humility.
• Compassion surpasses pride: Krishna put Uttanka's lesson before punishment.
• Small blessings matter: A cloud in a desert was a daily reminder of God's mercy.

This encounter is a beautiful reminder: humans are fallible, but divine love is endless and sometimes we need to be humbled to grow.

Out of pride, the sage Uttanka refuses the water offered by a low-caste man in the desert