03.134
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said;
अत्रोग्रसेनसमितेषु राज; न्समागतेष्वप्रतिमेषु राजसु। न वै विवित्सान्तरमस्ति वादिनां; महाजले हंसनिनादिनामिव ॥०३-१३४-१॥
Here, O king, in the assemblies of Ugrasena, when all the incomparable kings are gathered, there truly is no difference among the disputants—just like the sounds of swans in a vast lake. (03-134-1)
न मेऽद्य वक्ष्यस्यतिवादिमानि; न्ग्लहं प्रपन्नः सरितामिवागमः। हुताशनस्येव समिद्धतेजसः; स्थिरो भवस्वेह ममाद्य बन्दिन् ॥०३-१३४-२॥
Do not speak to me disputatious words today; you have not come into a quarrel, but like a river's steady current. Like the flame of blazing fire, be steadfast here for me today, O bard. (03-134-2)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
व्याघ्रं शयानं प्रति मा प्रबोधय; आशीविषं सृक्किणी लेलिहानम्। पदाहतस्येव शिरोऽभिहत्य; नादष्टो वै मोक्ष्यसे तन्निबोध ॥०३-१३४-३॥
Do not awaken a sleeping tiger; do not disturb a venomous snake licking with its fangs exposed. Just as, if you strike the head of one with your foot, know that unless bitten, you will not escape. (03-134-3)
यो वै दर्पात्संहननोपपन्नः; सुदुर्बलः पर्वतमाविहन्ति। तस्यैव पाणिः सनखो विशीर्यते; न चैव शैलस्य हि दृश्यते व्रणः ॥०३-१३४-४॥
He who, out of arrogance and with only seeming strength but in reality very weak, strikes a mountain—his hand with nails is shattered, yet no wound is seen at all on the mountain. (03-134-4)
सर्वे राज्ञो मैथिलस्य मैनाकस्येव पर्वताः। निकृष्टभूता राजानो वत्सा अनदुहो यथा ॥०३-१३४-५॥
All kings are insignificant before the king of Mithila, just as all other mountains are to Maināka, and as calves are to a cow that is not to be milked. (03-134-5)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said;
अष्टावक्रः समितौ गर्जमानो; जातक्रोधो बन्दिनमाह राजन्। उक्ते वाक्ये चोत्तरं मे ब्रवीहि; वाक्यस्य चाप्युत्तरं ते ब्रवीमि ॥०३-१३४-६॥
Aṣṭāvakra, in the assembly, roaring in anger, addressed Bandin, O king: "After a statement is spoken, respond to me with an answer; and to your statement, I too will give an answer." (03-134-6)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
एक एवाग्निर्बहुधा समिध्यते; एकः सूर्यः सर्वमिदं प्रभासते। एको वीरो देवराजो निहन्ता; यमः पितॄणामीश्वरश्चैक एव ॥०३-१३४-७॥
The same fire alone is kindled in many forms; the one sun illumines all of this. The one hero, lord of the gods and slayer, Yama is the lord of the ancestors, and there is but one ruler. (03-134-7)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
द्वाविन्द्राग्नी चरतो वै सखायौ; द्वौ देवर्षी नारदः पर्वतश्च। द्वावश्विनौ द्वे च रथस्य चक्रे; भार्यापती द्वौ विहितौ विधात्रा ॥०३-१३४-८॥
Indra and Agni, who move as friends, are two; the divine sages Nārada and Parvata are two; the Ashvins are two, and the wheels of the chariot are two; wife and husband—the pair created by the Creator. (03-134-8)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
त्रिः सूयते कर्मणा वै प्रजेयं; त्रयो युक्ता वाजपेयं वहन्ति। अध्वर्यवस्त्रिषवणानि तन्वते; त्रयो लोकास्त्रीणि ज्योतींषि चाहुः ॥०३-१३४-९॥
Offspring worthy is said to be produced three times by action; three yoked beings carry the Vājapeya; the Adhvaryu priests perform the three Soma pressings; and they say there are three worlds and three lights. (03-134-9)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said;
चतुष्टयं ब्राह्मणानां निकेतं; चत्वारो युक्ता यज्ञमिमं वहन्ति। दिशश्चतस्रश्चतुरश्च वर्णा; श्चतुष्पदा गौरपि शश्वदुक्ता ॥०३-१३४-१०॥
The fourfold group is considered the abode of the Brāhmaṇas; four yoked beings carry this sacrifice. There are four directions, four classes, and it is always said the cow has four legs. (03-134-10)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
पञ्चाग्नयः पञ्चपदा च पङ्क्ति; र्यज्ञाः पञ्चैवाप्यथ पञ्चेन्द्रियाणि। दृष्टा वेदे पञ्चचूडाश्च पञ्च; लोके ख्यातं पञ्चनदं च पुण्यम् ॥०३-१३४-११॥
There are five fires, the five-lined pankti meter, five sacrifices, and also five senses. The Veda mentions five crested ones and five. In the world, the sacred region of the five rivers (Pañcanada) is well known. (03-134-11)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
षडाधाने दक्षिणामाहुरेके; षडेवेमे ऋतवः कालचक्रम्। षडिन्द्रियाण्युत षट्कृत्तिकाश्च; षट्साद्यस्काः सर्ववेदेषु दृष्टाः ॥०३-१३४-१२॥
Some say there are six in the southern receptacle; there are indeed six seasons, the wheel of time. Six senses, six Kṛttikā stars, and six Sādyaskas are mentioned in all the Vedas. (03-134-12)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
सप्त ग्राम्याः पशवः सप्त वन्याः; सप्त छन्दांसि क्रतुमेकं वहन्ति। सप्तर्षयः सप्त चाप्यर्हणानि; सप्ततन्त्री प्रथिता चैव वीणा ॥०३-१३४-१३॥
There are seven domestic animals and seven wild ones; seven meters bring forth one sacrifice. The seven sages and also the seven offerings; and the famous vīṇā has seven strings itself. (03-134-13)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
अष्टौ शाणाः शतमानं वहन्ति; तथाष्टपादः शरभः सिंहघाती। अष्टौ वसूञ्शुश्रुम देवतासु; यूपश्चाष्टास्रिर्विहितः सर्वयज्ञः ॥०३-१३४-१४॥
Eight śāṇas (fibers) are required to carry the weight of a hundred; similarly, the eight-footed śarabha is said to kill lions. We have heard of eight Vasus among the deities, and an eight-edged sacrificial post is enjoined in all sacrifices. (03-134-14)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
नवैवोक्ताः सामिधेन्यः पितॄणां; तथा प्राहुर्नवयोगं विषर्गम्। नवाक्षरा बृहती सम्प्रदिष्टा; नवयोगो गणनामेति शश्वत् ॥०३-१३४-१५॥
Only nine Sāmidhenya offerings for the ancestors are stated; thus, they declare the act of ninefold conjunction as an offering. The Bṛhatī metre, having nine syllables, is prescribed; the ninefold conjunction is always reckoned. (03-134-15)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said;
दशा दशोक्ताः पुरुषस्य लोके; सहस्रमाहुर्दश पूर्णं शतानि। दशैव मासान्बिभ्रति गर्भवत्यो; दशेरका दश दाशा दशार्णाः ॥०३-१३४-१६॥
It is said that a person has ten in this world; a thousand is comprised of ten complete hundreds. Pregnant women carry for ten months; there are ten fingers, ten directions, and ten toes. (03-134-16)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
एकादशैकादशिनः पशूना; मेकादशैवात्र भवन्ति यूपाः। एकादश प्राणभृतां विकारा; एकादशोक्ता दिवि देवेषु रुद्राः ॥०३-१३४-१७॥
There are eleven animals for one who performs the sacrifice of eleven; here indeed, there are eleven sacrificial posts. There are eleven transformations among living beings, and in heaven among the gods, the Rudras are said to be eleven. (03-134-17)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
संवत्सरं द्वादश मासमाहु; र्जगत्याः पादो द्वादशैवाक्षराणि। द्वादशाहः प्राकृतो यज्ञ उक्तो; द्वादशादित्यान्कथयन्तीह विप्राः ॥०३-१३४-१८॥
They say that the year consists of twelve months; that each quarter of the jagatī metre has twelve syllables. The original sacrificial rite is known as the twelve-day ritual; here, the sages speak of the twelve Ādityas. (3-134-18)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
त्रयोदशी तिथिरुक्ता महोग्रा; त्रयोदशद्वीपवती मही च। लोमश उवाच॥
The thirteenth lunar day is said to be very fierce; the earth has thirteen islands, and Lomaśa spoke.
एतावदुक्त्वा विरराम बन्दी; श्लोकस्यार्धं व्याजहाराष्टवक्रः। त्रयोदशाहानि ससार केशी; त्रयोदशादीन्यतिच्छन्दांसि चाहुः ॥०३-१३४-२०॥
Having spoken thus far, the bard became silent; Aṣṭavakra recited half of the verse. Keśī wandered for thirteen days; metres beginning with thirteen syllables are called aticchandas. (03-134-20)
ततो महानुदतिष्ठन्निनाद; स्तूष्णीम्भूतं सूतपुत्रं निशम्य। अधोमुखं ध्यानपरं तदानी; मष्टावक्रं चाप्युदीर्यन्तमेव ॥०३-१३४-२१॥
Then that great one rose up with a sound, after hearing the son of the charioteer become silent, while Maṣṭāvakra at that time, with his face turned down and absorbed in meditation, was just beginning to speak aloud. (3-134-21)
तस्मिंस्तथा सङ्कुले वर्तमाने; स्फीते यज्ञे जनकस्याथ राज्ञः। अष्टावक्रं पूजयन्तोऽभ्युपेयु; र्विप्राः सर्वे प्राञ्जलयः प्रतीताः ॥०३-१३४-२२॥
While the sacrifice of King Janaka was thus crowded and flourishing, all the Brāhmaṇas confidently and with folded hands approached Aṣṭāvakra to honor him. (03-134-22)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
अनेन वै ब्राह्मणाः शुश्रुवांसो; वादे जित्वा सलिले मज्जिताः किल। तानेव धर्मानयमद्य बन्दी; प्राप्नोतु गृह्याप्सु निमज्जयैनम् ॥०३-१३४-२३॥
It is said that by this person, the Brāhmaṇas who listened and won disputes were immersed in water. Let Bandin, who is of right conduct, today bring them; having seized him, drown him in the water. (03-134-23)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
अहं पुत्रो वरुणस्योत राज्ञ; स्तत्रास सत्रं द्वादशवार्षिकं वै। सत्रेण ते जनक तुल्यकालं; तदर्थं ते प्रहिता मे द्विजाग्र्याः ॥०३-१३४-२४॥
I am the son of Varuṇa and also of the king; there was indeed a twelve-year sacrifice there. By a sacrifice of equal duration to yours, O Janaka, for that purpose the foremost Brāhmaṇas have been sent by me. (3-134-24)
एते सर्वे वरुणस्योत यज्ञं; द्रष्टुं गता इह आयान्ति भूयः। अष्टावक्रं पूजये पूजनीयं; यस्य हेतोर्जनितारं समेष्ये ॥०३-१३४-२५॥
All these, along with Varuṇa, have come here again to see the sacrifice. I worship Aṣṭāvakra, who is worthy of worship, for whose sake I shall meet the creator. (03-134-25)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
विप्राः समुद्राम्भसि मज्जितास्ते; वाचा जिता मेधया आविदानाः। तां मेधया वाचमथोज्जहार; यथा वाचमवचिन्वन्ति सन्तः ॥०३-१३४-२६॥
The wise ones were submerged in the ocean waters; they, being ignorant, were overcome by speech and not by intellect. Then, by intellect, he raised up that speech, just as the wise discern speech. (03-134-26)
अग्निर्दहञ्जातवेदाः सतां गृहा; न्विसर्जयंस्तेजसा न स्म धाक्षीत्। बालेषु पुत्रेषु कृपणं वदत्सु; तथा वाचमवचिन्वन्ति सन्तः ॥०३-१३४-२७॥
Fire, though burning brilliantly, does not burn the houses of the virtuous. Among children or sons speaking pitifully, good people thus choose their words. (03-134-27)
श्लेष्मातकी क्षीणवर्चाः शृणोषि; उताहो त्वां स्तुतयो मादयन्ति। हस्तीव त्वं जनक वितुद्यमानो; न मामिकां वाचमिमां शृणोषि ॥०३-१३४-२८॥
You, with phlegm in your ears whose brightness is diminished, do not hear; or perhaps the praises delight you? Like an elephant, O father, even when reproached, you do not listen to this speech of mine. (03-134-28)
जनक उवाच॥
Janaka said.
शृणोमि वाचं तव दिव्यरूपा; ममानुषीं दिव्यरूपोऽसि साक्षात्। अजैषीर्यद्बन्दिनं त्वं विवादे; निसृष्ट एष तव कामोऽद्य बन्दी ॥०३-१३४-२९॥
I hear your speech, which is of a divine nature; although I am human, you truly possess a divine form. You have won over the panegyrist in debate; thus, today, this panegyrist—your wish—has been dismissed. (03-134-29)
अष्टावक्र उवाच॥
Aṣṭāvakra said.
नानेन जीवता कश्चिदर्थो मे बन्दिना नृप। पिता यद्यस्य वरुणो मज्जयैनं जलाशये ॥०३-१३४-३०॥
O king, I have no purpose with this prisoner's life. If his father is Varuṇa, then have him drowned in the reservoir of water. (03-134-30)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
अहं पुत्रो वरुणस्योत राज्ञो; न मे भयं सलिले मज्जितस्य। इमं मुहूर्तं पितरं द्रक्ष्यतेऽय; मष्टावक्रश्चिरनष्टं कहोडम् ॥०३-१३४-३१॥
I am the son of Varuṇa, also of the king; I have no fear while submerged in water. In this very moment, his father will be seen—Aṣṭāvakra will see the long lost Kahoḍa. (03-134-31)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said.
ततस्ते पूजिता विप्रा वरुणेन महात्मना। उदतिष्ठन्त ते सर्वे जनकस्य समीपतः ॥०३-१३४-३२॥
Then the brahmaṇas, having been honored by the great-souled Varuṇa, all arose from the presence of Janaka. (03-134-32)
कहोड उवाच॥
Kahoḍa said.
इत्यर्थमिच्छन्ति सुताञ्जना जनक कर्मणा। यदहं नाशकं कर्तुं तत्पुत्रः कृतवान्मम ॥०३-१३४-३३॥
It is for this reason that people desire sons: what I could not accomplish, my son has done for me. (03-134-33)
उताबलस्य बलवानुत बालस्य पण्डितः। उत वाविदुषो विद्वान्पुत्रो जनक जायते ॥०३-१३४-३४॥
Sometimes to the weak a strong person is born, to a child a wise person, or from an unlearned father a learned son is born. (03-134-34)
बन्द्युवाच॥
Bandyu said.
शितेन ते परशुना स्वयमेवान्तको नृप। शिरांस्यपाहरत्वाजौ रिपूणां भद्रमस्तु ते ॥०३-१३४-३५॥
O king, with your sharp axe, Yama himself has struck down the heads of your enemies in battle; may you be blessed. (03-134-35)
महदुक्थ्यं गीयते साम चाग्र्यं; सम्यक्सोमः पीयते चात्र सत्रे। शुचीन्भागान्प्रतिजगृहुश्च हृष्टाः; साक्षाद्देवा जनकस्येह यज्ञे ॥०३-१३४-३६॥
A splendid hymn is sung, the finest sāma-chant resounds, soma is perfectly drunk in this assembly; the pure shares were received in joy—here at Janaka’s sacrifice, the gods themselves were present. (03-134-36)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomasha said;
समुत्थितेष्वथ सर्वेषु राज; न्विप्रेषु तेष्वधिकं सुप्रभेषु। अनुज्ञातो जनकेनाथ राज्ञा; विवेश तोयं सागरस्योत बन्दी ॥०३-१३४-३७॥
Then, O king, when all the Brāhmaṇas had risen—those most illustrious ones—having been permitted by King Janaka, the bard also entered the water of the ocean. (03-134-37)
अष्टावक्रः पितरं पूजयित्वा; सम्पूजितो ब्राह्मणैस्तैर्यथावत्। प्रत्याजगामाश्रममेव चाग्र्यं; जित्वा बन्दिं सहितो मातुलेन ॥०३-१३४-३८॥
Aṣṭāvakra, after worshipping his father, and having been duly honored by those Brāhmaṇas, returned together with his uncle to the chief hermitage, having defeated Bandi. (03-134-38)
अत्र कौन्तेय सहितो भ्रातृभिस्त्वं; सुखोषितः सह विप्रैः प्रतीतः। पुण्यान्यन्यानि शुचिकर्मैकभक्ति; र्मया सार्धं चरितास्याजमीढ ॥०३-१३४-३९॥
Here, O son of Kunti, you have resided comfortably together with your brothers and have been honored by the brahmins. You have performed other auspicious and pure deeds with single-minded devotion together with me, O descendant of Ajamīḍha. (03-134-39)
