The Story of Ashtavakra (Part 3)

We last saw Ashtavakra being questioned by King Janaka’s doorkeeper, to which he replied, “O doorkeeper, one is not old by the colour of one’s hair (the Sanskrit word for old being ‘vrudh’, one who has grown). The rishis say that only a person who knows every aspect of the Vedas is called knowledgeable. I have come here to meet Bandi, the king’s scholar. Today, you shall see how we defeat all the scholars, including Bandi, in arguments.”

The doorkeeper said, “You are a child of twelve and I am not to allow you inside, but still I will take you to the king.” He then took Ashtavakra and Swetaketu to the king.

Ashtavakra addressed King Janaka, “You are a great king to have arranged this grand yagna on your own. We have heard that Bandi defeats other Brahmins in arguments, and then has them tied up and drowned in the river. I have come to discuss the aspects of non-duality and truth with him. Just as the light of the sun overpowers the lustre of the stars, today I will take away the light of Bandi.”

The king answered, “You do not know the strength of your opponent, yet you talk of defeating him. Many Brahmins have come, lost the argument, and their lives. You are still a young child, please go back.”

To this, Ashtavakra replied, “Bandi has not met an opponent like me and that is why he is roaring like a lion. Once he meets me, he will break down, just like a cart with a broken axle.”

Janaka said, “Before I allow you to enter, you have to answer my questions first. What wheel has six faces, can be arranged in twenty-four groups, and is made up of twelve divisions supported by three hundred and sixty spokes, thus giving thirty degrees to each division? The one who answers this is a great poet.”

Ashtavakra answered, “The six faces at the hub of wheel are the six seasons. The arrangement surrounding the hub in twenty-four groups is that of fortnights, each beginning with either a full moon or a new moon. The rim or periphery of the wheel is made of twelve months, each ruled by one of the twelve astrological houses. From within the hub rise three hundred and sixty spokes to support the periphery of the wheel, resulting in each month comprising of thirty degrees or days. This, O king, is the wheel of Time, which is perpetually turning and may it guard you from evil.”

The King asked, “What two are attached like a pair of mares and dive like a hawk. Out of all the gods, which is the one that bears both of them in his womb, and to whom do these two give birth to, and who is the charioteer of the one born?”

Ashtavakra replied, “O king, those two are lightning and electricity whose nature is to dive like the hawk. The two of them are born in the womb of the God of the clouds (Megha), the two of them in turn give rise to clouds, whose charioteer is the wind.”