One after another, thousands of disciples received the preceptors' permission to return home. On account, however, of his great affection for Utanka, Gautama could not permit him to leave his hermitage.
अथ शिष्यसहस्राणि समनुज्ञातवानृषिः। उत्तङ्क परया प्रीत्या नाभ्यनुज्ञातुमैच्छता