thou shalt be crooked in eight parts of the body.”
The child was accordingly born crooked, and the great
sage was ever after known by the name of Ashtavakra.
Now, he had an uncle named Swetaketu who was the same
age with himself. Afflicted by the growth of the
child in the womb, Sujata, desirous of riches, conciliating
her husband who had no wealth told him in private:
“How shall I manage, O great sage, the tenth
month of my pregnancy having come? Thou hast
no substance whereby I may extricate myself from the
exigencies, after I have been delivered.”
Thus addressed by his wife, Kahoda went unto king
Janaka for riches. He was there defeated in a
controversy by Vandin, well versed in the science of
arguments, and (in consequence) was immersed into water.
And hearing that his son-in-law had been defeated
in a controversy by Vandin and caused to be drowned
by him, Uddalaka spake unto his daughter Sujata, saying,
“Thou shall keep it a secret from Ashtavakra.”
She accordingly kept her counsel—so that
Ashtavakra, when born, had heard nothing about the
matter. And he regarded Uddalaka as his father
and Swetaketu as his brother. And when Ashtavakra
was in his twelfth year, Swetaketu one day saw the
former seated on his father’s lap. And thereat
he pulled him by the hand, and on Ashtavakra’s
beginning to cry, he told him, “It is not the
lap of thy father.” This cruel communication
went direct into Ashtavakra’s heart and it pained
him sorely. And he went home and asked his mother
saying, “Where is my father?” Thereupon
Sujata who was greatly afflicted (by his question),
and apprehending a curse told him all that had happened.
And having heard all, the Brahmana at night said unto
his uncle Swetaketu, “Let us go unto the sacrifice
of king Janaka, wherein many wonderful things are
to be seen. There we shall listen to the controversy
between the Brahmanas and shall partake of excellent
food. Our knowledge also will increase. The
recitation of the sacred Vedas is sweet to hear and
is fraught with blessings.” Then they both—uncle
and nephew—went unto the splendid sacrifice
of king Janaka. And on being driven from the
entrance, Ashtavakra met the king and addressed him
in the following words.’”
SECTION CXXXIII
“’Ashtavakra said, “When no Brahmana is met with on the way, the way belongeth to the blind, the deaf, the women, carriers of burden, and the king respectively. But when a Brahmana is met with on the way, it belongeth to him alone.” Thereupon the king said, “I give the privilege to enter. Do thou, therefore, go in by whatever way thou likest. No fire ever so small is to be slighted. Even Indra himself boweth unto the Brahmanas.” At this Ashtavakra said, “We have come, O ruler of men, to witness thy sacrificial ceremony and our curiosity, O king, is very great. And we have come here as guests. We want the permission of thy order (to enter). And, O son of Indradyumna,