Rajarshi Delegates Utanka's Request to His Son
Utanka, a brahmana, approaches a rajarshi with a request that requires a warrior's strength. But the rajarshi has discarded all weapons and cannot act himself. He offers his son Kuvalashva instead — a man whose valor is unmatched on earth, surrounded by sons with arms like clubs.
Utanka came to the rajarshi with a request. He did not say what it was — not yet. But the rajarshi understood that it was a matter requiring strength, action, perhaps violence. And he could not provide it.
The rajarshi joined his hands in salutation. "O brahmana," he said, "your arrival will not be in vain. I have a son, known by the name of Kuvalashva. He is intelligent and swift to act. His valor is unmatched on earth. There is no doubt that he will accomplish that which is pleasant for you. He is surrounded by his brave sons, all of whom have arms like clubs."
Then he added: "Please give me permission to leave, since I have discarded all weapons."
The rajarshi had renounced the tools of his former life. Whatever he had once been — whatever battles he had fought, whatever enemies he had vanquished — that part of him was over. He could not take up a weapon again, not even for a brahmana's sake. But he could offer his son.
Utanka agreed.
The rajarshi directed his son to the great-souled Utanka. And when that was done, he went to an excellent forest — alone, weaponless, his duty fulfilled through the hands of another. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 491