happiness and misery really exists—­but His existence is not susceptible of being proved—­nor can the ignorant ever perceive Him.  Men attain that condition through these twelve, viz., virtue, truth, self-restraint, penances, good-will, modesty, forgiveness, exemption from envy, sacrifice, charity, concentration and control over the senses.

[38] According to some, endeavours to attain emancipation can be successful not in this world but in the world of Brahma.  Others say that to that end a special yoga is necessary.  By bringing forward the objects numbering thirteen, Vandin advances the opinion that, virtue, etc., are not sufficient for purposes of emancipation but that suitable time and place are also essential.

“Lomasa said, ’Having proceeded thus far, Vandin stopped.  Thereupon Ashtavakra supplied the latter half of the sloka.  Ashtavakra said, “Thirteen sacrifices are presided over by Kesi; and thirteen are devoured by Atichhandas, (the longer metres) of the Veda."[39] And seeing Ashtavakra speaking and the Suta’s son silent, and pensive, and with head downcast, the assembly broke into a long uproar.  And when the tumult thus arose in the splendid sacrifice performed by king Janaka, the Brahmanas well pleased, and with joined hands, approached Ashtavakra, and began to pay him homage.

[39] Ashtavakra concludes by citing the same number thirteen.  The soul which is essentially unaffected, becomes subject to happiness and misery through the thirteen, viz., the ten organs of locomotion and sense, and intellect mind and egoism.  But Atichhanadas, i.e., those that have surmounted ignorance, namely, the twelve, virtue, etc. destroy those thirteen and that is emancipation.

“’Thereupon Ashtavakra said, “Before this, this man, defeating the Brahmanas in controversy, used to cast them into water.  Let Vandin today meet with the same fate.  Seize him and drown him in water.”  Vandin said.  “O Janaka, I am the son of king Varuna.  Simultaneously with thy sacrifice, there also hath commenced a sacrifice extending over twelve years.  It is for this that I have despatched the principal Brahmanas thither.  They have gone to witness Varuna’s sacrifice.  Lo! there they are returning.  I pay homage to the worshipful Ashtavakra, by whose grace to-day I shall join him who hath begot me.”

“’Ashtavakra said, “Defeating the Brahmanas either by words or subtlety.  Vandin had cast them into the waters of the sea. (That Vedic truth which he had suppressed by false arguments), have I to-day rescued by dint of my intellect.  Now let candid men judge.  As Agni, who knoweth the character of both the good and the bad, leaveth unscorched by his heat the bodies of those whose designs are honest, and is thus partial to them, so good men judge the assertions of boys, although lacking the power of speech, and are favourably disposed towards them.  O Janaka, thou hearest my words as if thou hast been stupefied in consequence of having eaten the fruit of the Sleshmataki tree.  Or flattery hath robbed thee of thy sense, and for this it is that although pierced by my words as an elephant (by the hook), thou hearest them not.”