The Story of Rishi Ashtavakra – Stories from Aranyaka Parva

After sharing the story of King Usinara, Rishi Lomasa talked about the greatness of River Sarasvati in the region and how Rishi Ashtavakra and Shvetaketu vanquished the great Bandi in a debate. 

Yudhsitira asked the rishi to enlighten him about Ashtavakra. 

Lomasa narrated the following story. 

Rishi Uddalaka had a disciple named Kahoda who lived with him for many years. Pleased with his attitude and learning, Uddalaka taught his disciple everything and got his daughter Sujata married to him. When she was pregnant, the unborn spoke to Kahoda from within the womb. The rishi taught a lesson to his students which the unborn child deemed incorrect even though the rishi studied all night. This angered Kahoda who cursed his own child to be born with deformities in eight ways. After the birth, the baby had crooked arms and legs and was named Ashtavakra. 

However, during her pregnancy, Sujata was worried that they didn’t have enough money to care for their child. Kahoda went to King Janaka to ask for money. There, he had to defeat a Brahmin named Bandi in a game of wordplay. However, Bandi was known for his mastery of words, and Kahoda lost. Unable to bear the humiliation, he went and drowned himself in the river. 

Sujata gave birth after this event took place. Her son, Ashtavakra, didn’t know his father. She didn’t want to tell him the truth as it was painful. Uddalaka took care of his daughter and her son. He also had a son who was of the same age as Ashtavakra. This child was Shvetaketu. 

Shvetaketu and Ashtavakra grew up together. The latter thought Uddalaka was his father. When they were twelve years old, Ashtavakra sat on Uddalaka’s lap which Shvetaketu didn’t like. He dragged him up by his arm and revealed that Uddalaka wasn’t his father. A heartbroken Ashtavakra wanted to know where his father was and what happened to him. Finally, the truth of Kahoda’s death was revealed to the boy. 

Ashtavakra was determined to avenge his father’s death. He asked Shvetaketu to accompany him to King Janaka’s court to meet Bandi. The duo set off to the palace but was stopped by the gatekeepers. Bandi was indeed inside at a yagna ceremony debating other rishis and Brahmins. He set rules that only adults should be allowed inside. The gatekeeper refused to let Ashtavakra and Shvetaketu enter. However, Ashtavakra argued with the gatekeeper that age didn’t measure talent and convinced him to let them go inside.

Then, Ashtavakra spoke to the king and praised him. He announced that he had come to debate with Bandi. King Janaka first tested Ashtavakra with a few riddles and was satisfied with the results. He recognized that despite being young, the deformed rishi had powerful divine energy and was as wise as an old man. He gave Ashtavakra the permission to debate with Bandi. 

Ashtavakra went to the dais where Bandi was being hosted. He challenged the Brahmin and provoked him. Bandi warned him not to anger him and said the consequences would be dire. Ashtavakra said he would any question Bandi asked. 

The contest began. Ashtavakra had to complete the sentence started by Bandi who would again add to it. Each of them would have to continue from the previous sentence alternately while ensuring they sustained the rhyme, rhythm, meter, theme, etc. At one point, Bandi stuttered and stopped. He couldn’t complete the sentence. Rishi Ashtavakra completed it when Bandi was silent for too long. He defeated Bandi and won. 

The crowd cheered. Ashtavakra said to the audience that Bandi made the defeated Brahmins immerse in water. Since he had lost this time, he should be the one to get into the river. Bandi replied that he was the son of Varuna and they were conducting a twelve-year sacrifice for him. By losing to a twelve-year-old, he would join his father in the water. 

Rishi Ashtavakra said to King Janaka that by defeating Bandi he had rescued the words of all those who lost and freed them. The king told Ashtavakra that he could do as he wished with Bandi. Ashtavakra repeated that Bandi had to immerse in water. 

Bandi also repeated that he wasn’t afraid to do so and walked into the river. He also said Ashtavakra would see his father, Kahoda. As soon as he said it, Kahoda appeared at the yagna site and was greeted by everyone. Kahoda was pleased that his son achieved what he couldn’t.

Once the ceremony was complete and the gods drank the soma offered, Bandi took leave and walked into the water. Rishi Ashtavakra and Rishi Shvetaketu went back to their ashram happy that they got what they wanted.