03.133
Aṣṭāvakra said.
The path of the blind is that of the deaf; the path of women is that of the litigant. The path of the king is not to be joined by the Brāhmaṇa; but if joined, it is indeed the path of the Brāhmaṇa. (03-133-1)
The king said.
Today I have set this path before you; go as you desire by whichever path you wish. There is indeed nothing lighter than fire; even Indra always bows to the Brāhmaṇas. (03-133-2)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
O dear father, we two have come to see the sacrifice; our curiosity has truly grown strong. Having arrived as guests, we both request your permission, O gatekeeper, to enter. (03-133-3)
We two, who are the sacrificer and Indradyumna, have come here wishing to speak and to see the lord of men. Not out of anger or by reason of disease, but by the excellent one; O doorkeeper, permit our admission at once. (03-133-4)
The doorkeeper said.
We are the performers of the master's command; listen to the statement now being spoken by me. Here, O sages, children do not enter; only the aged, learned, foremost among the twice-born enter. (03-133-5)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
If entry has been permitted among the elders here, it is proper for me to enter, O doorkeeper. For we are elders, have observed our vows, and by the power of the Veda, are worthy of admittance. (03-133-6)
Those desirous of hearing and self-controlled, who have truly achieved steadfastness in the pursuit of knowledge—such should not be despised by thinking 'he is just a child,' for, they say, even a child, like fire, burns when touched. (03-133-7)
The doorkeeper said.
Direct your speech, O Sarasvati, favoured by the Vedas, the one of many forms and illustrious as the one-lettered. Behold the embodied self as a child. Why do you boast? Victory in debate is rare. (03-133-8)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
Growth is not known by increase of the body, just as the large prickles of the silk-cotton tree have grown. The short one, with a small body but bearing fruit, is considered grown; and for one who is fruitless, there is no real growth. (03-133-9)
The door-keeper said.
Indeed, children here take intellect only from elders; with time, they become elders. Knowledge is not possible to gain in a short time; why do you, being a child, speak as if you were an elder? (03-133-10)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
It is not greying hair that makes one old; the gods consider even a youthful person who truly understands as an elder. (03-133-11)
It is not by years, nor by gray hair, nor wealth, nor relatives that sages achieve dharma; he who is learned — he alone is great for us. (03-133-12)
I have come, wishing to see the court bard in the royal assembly; doorkeeper, inform the king Puṣkaramālin about me. (03-133-13)
O doorkeeper, today the observer of this speech with the wise, as the debate has intensified, will be seen—whether there is greatness or meanness or even silence among beings or all, today. (03-133-14)
The gatekeeper said.
How will you allow a ten-year-old to enter the sacrifice? Among the humble and learned, who is eligible for entry? By whatever means, I will strive for your sake; properly make efforts so that I may enter. (03-133-15)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
O King, most eminent among the Janakas! You are truly worthy of honor, and all abundance is found in you. Surely you are either the foremost performer of sacrificial deeds, or the unique sovereign, Yayati, from earlier times. (03-133-16)
We have heard that the learned Bandī, having seized and defeated in debate the knowers of the Veda, without any suspicion, has all of them submerged in water by reliable men sent out by you. (03-133-17)
He, having heard this from the Brāhmaṇas, has indeed come to tell the Brahman-discussion. Where is that prisoner? As soon as I approach him, I will destroy him like the Sun destroys the stars. (03-133-18)
The king said.
You are wishing to defeat the bard without understanding the force of the other's arguments. Only those whose ability is proven can speak in this manner; and he has already been examined by Brāhmaṇas skilled in debate. (3-133-19)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
He has been challenged, but not by people like me, indeed; made lion-like by him, he speaks fearlessly. Having come upon me, he will be slain and left today on the road, like a cart with a broken axle. (03-133-20)
The king said.
He who knows the structure—six-naved, twelve-spoked, twenty-four-jointed, and three-hundred-sixty-rimmed—understands the meaning of the Veda; he is the supreme sage. (03-133-21)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
May the wheel with twenty-four segments, six hubs, twelve spokes, and sixty-three rims, always in motion, indeed protect you. (03-133-22)
The king said.
Like a female horse pair joined when the hawk of the gods descends, who among the two places the embryo, and to whom did the two give birth? (03-133-23)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
O king, surely, even in your house, do not suspect that enemies' children are born; the wind-charioteer places the embryo and they give birth to him. (03-133-24)
The king said.
What is it that, though asleep, does not close its eyes? What is it that, though born, does not die? Whose heart does not exist? What is it that grows with speed? (03-133-25)
Aṣṭāvakra said;
A fish does not close its eyes when asleep; an egg, once produced, does not approach (again); a stone has no heart; a river increases with speed. (03-133-26)
The king said.
I do not consider you a human, but a divine being; I do not think of you as a child or as an old man. There is no one equal to you in speech; therefore, I, this guard, open the door. (03-133-27)
