Ashtavakra story in English: Read the story Carefully .
Once upon a time, there was one clever boy whose name was Ashtavakra. His father’s name was Kahad. His father was a renowned scholar of Sanskrit and was expert on Vedas.
Once he was chanting Vedas. Ashtavakra was listening to him. While chanting, he made a mistake. Ashtavakra stopped him and pointed out his mistake. Kahad became very angry because Ashtavakra had disturbed him. He cursed Ashtavakra.
“You are so arrogant that you insulted your father.
You do not think twice before insulting him. I curse you that your body will bend at eight places and you will be ugly.”
Poor Ashtavakra! Ashtavakra means twisted at eight places. His body became twisted at eight places just like his name.
After some days, Kahad went away to earn some money. He came to King Janak’s town. At that time, there was a very cruel scholar in King Janak’s court. His name was Vandi. He used to argue and debate with other scholars and defeat them in debate. He had become very bigheaded because he could defeat every one. Whenever he defeated someone, he ordered his men to throw that person in the sea. So people started being scared of him. Whoever had dared to argue had received the same fate.
Kahad competed in debate with him. He wanted to earn money and did not think about the punishment if he lost. Vandi was very clever. On some points, Kahad had to give in to Vandi. He lost the debate. Vandi gave him punishment. Kahad’s family came to know of the punishment. But Ashtavakra’s mother kept it a secret and did not tell Ashtavakra about it.
Ashtavakra started learning Vedas. He was very clever. He could memorize the Vedas in a single reading. His grandfather Addalak was teaching him.
He was growing up. When he was twelve, he asked his mother about his father. She began crying and told him the true story of his fate. When Ashtavakra heard that Vandi had defeated his father in analyzing the meaning of Veda, he became very angry. He decided to go to Videh and defeat Vandi in debate. Everybody in his family tried to dissuade him. His mother said, “Vandi has defeated many scholars in debate and thrown them in the sea. You are very young. You too will receive the same fate. Please do not go.” But Ashtavakra had made up his mind. He did not listen to her.
He started for King Janak’s Videh town. He walked for many days and reached the palace of King Janak. The guard stopped him and asked,
“Why have you come here?”
“I want to enter the palace.”
“Why?”
“I want to punish that arrogant scholar Vandi in debate.”
The guard started laughing on hearing this. He said, “My child, why are you trying to bang your head on a wall? You are a young boy of twelve. How can you compete with a distinguished scholar? Do not challenge him. You will lose your life. He has defeated many elderly scholars from other kingdoms. I will not let you enter the Palace. Celebrated scholars are having discussions there.”
Ashtavakra was unwavering. He said very quietly, “just because I am young it does not mean I am less capable. Intelligence does not depend on age. True scholars look at the knowledge. They do not relate knowledge to age. I have been studying Vedas since I was a small child. I have memorized all four Vedas. I want to verify my own knowledge. Even if I am of young age, I am old in learning. A small cinder can burn large trees. Please remember that.
When the doorkeeper heard Ashtavakra talking so knowledgeably, he let Ashtavakra go into the Palace. Very eminent and distinguished scholars were sitting around King Janak and were debating. When they saw ugly Ashtavakra, they started laughing at him.
Ashtavakra said, “Sire, I had heard that there are great scholars in your court. But I see only ‘chambhars’ here.”
“My child, you speak like an ignorant fool. All these people are eminent scholars in their own fields. Do not forget this kingdom belongs to King Janak”, said King Janak.
Ashtavakra said, “Sire, a scholar looks at mind and not body. All these people are looking at my body and skin. What can I call them if not ‘chambhar’? All the people you have collected here are only seeing how I look and are making fun of my looks. If they had been true scholars, they would have examined my knowledge first.”
When people heard this, they were surprised. King Janak enquired after him and requested him to sit.
“I have come here to participate in debate with your scholar.”
“If you lose, you will be punished.”
I do not believe in ifs and buts. I have faith in my knowledge. I am a grandson of Uddalak Rishi. He has made me, taught me. Please give me a chance to test my knowledge. I am ready to discuss with scholar Vandi.”
When King Janak saw how determined Ashtavakra was, he gave in. He sent for Vandi. Huge Vandi came into the palace hall swaying like an elephant.
When he saw that ugly small boy was challenging him in debate, he started laughing mockingly. He sat down. The king indicated the start of the debating competition. All other scholars sat down attentively.
Questions and answers started flowing. Ashtavakra was expert in Vedas. He answered all difficult questions precisely and correctly. The debate became exciting. Ashtavakra started questioning all the statements made by Vandi. He started asking questions. Vandi became uncomfortable. King Janak was astounded at the knowledge of the twelve year old boy. Vandi lost the debate. He could not remember the references in Veda. He lost his confidence. The king and his scholars hailed Ashtavakra.
Ashtavakra said, “Sire, I have defeated arrogant Vandi. Please instruct your men to throw him into the sea as per the rules of the debate.”
Vandi was afraid. He threw himself at Ashtavakra’s feet. He begged for his life. But Ashtavakra wanted to avenge his father’s death. He did not forgive Vandi.
When Vandi knew the story, he asked for some time. He said to Ashtavakra, “Please give me some time.
I will call your father and other scholars. I have not
ordered them to be drowned. They are conducting Varun Yagna.”
Some time later Ashtavakra’s father and other scholars were brought. There were tears in Kahad’s eyes. He embraced his son and said, “I am proud of you my son. You have made our family and all our ancestors proud. You have achieved the fulfillment in your life. I bless you and wish that your knowledge keeps on growing.”
Ashtavakra bowed to his father.
King Janak gave a lot of money to the father and son. He felicitated them and sent them home. Ashtavakra’s name became immortal.
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