them to be drowned by faithful servants employed by thee.  Hearing this, I have come before these Brahmanas, to expound the doctrine of the unity of the Supreme Being.  Where is now Vandin?  Tell me so that I may approach him, and destroy him, even as the sun destroyeth the stars.”  Thereupon the king said, “Thou hopest, O Brahmana, to defeat Vandin, not knowing his power of speech.  Can those who are familiar with his power, speak as thou dost?  He hath been sounded by Brahmanas versed in the Vedas.  Thou hopest to defeat Vandin, only because thou knowest not his powers (of speech).  Many a Brahmana hath waned before him, even as the stars before the sun.  Desirous of defeating him, people proud of their learning, have lost their glory on appearing before him, and have retired from his presence, without even venturing to speak with the members of the assembly.”  Asthavakra said, “Vandin hath never entered into disputation with a man like myself, and it is for this only that he looketh upon himself as a lion, and goeth about roaring like one.  But to-day meeting me he will lie down dead, even like a cart on the highway, of which the wheels have been deranged.”  The king said, “He alone is a truly learned man who understandeth the significance of the thing that hath thirty divisions, twelve parts twenty-four joints, and three hundred and sixty spokes.”  Ashtavakra said, “May that ever-moving wheel that hath twenty-four joints, six naves, twelve peripheries, and sixty spokes protect thee!"[19] The king said, “Who amongst the gods beareth those two which go together like two mares (yoked to a car), and sweep like a hawk, and to what also do they give birth?” Ashtavakra said, “May God, O king, forfend the presence of these two[20] in thy house; aye, even in the house of thine enemies.  He who appeareth, having for his charioteer the wind,[21] begetteth them, and they also produce him.”  Thereupon the king said, “What is that doth not close its eyes even while sleeping; what is it that doth not move, even when born; what is it that hath no heart; and what doth increase even in its own speed?” Ashtavakra said, “It is a fish[22] that doth not close its eye-lids, while sleeping; and it is an a egg[23] that doth not move when produced; it is stone[24] that hath no heart; and it is a river[25] that increase in its own speed.”

[19] This wheel is the wheel of Time—­i.e., measured according to the solar, lunar and astral revolutions.  The importance of Ashtavakra’s reply is this:  May the meritorious deeds performed at proper times, during the revolution of this wheel of Time protect thee.

    [20] Thunder and lightning or misery and death.

    [21] Cloud or the mind.

    [22] The male being that is ever conscious.

    [23] The mundane egg.

    [24] The soul that has renounced connection with the body.

    [25] The heart of a Yogi.

“’The king said, “It seemeth, O possessor of divine energy, that thou art no human being.  I consider thee not a boy, but a matured man; there is no other man who can compare with thee in the art of speech.  I therefore give thee admittance.  There is Vandin."’”