“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.’

“Janaka said, ’Listening to thy words, I take them to be excellent and superhuman.  Thy form also standeth manifest as superhuman.  As thou hast to-day defeated Vandin in discussion, I place even him at thy disposal.’  Ashtavakra said, ’O king, Vandin remaining alive, will not serve any purpose of mine.  If his father be really Varuna, let him be drowned in the sea.’

Vandin said, ’I am King Varuna’s son.  I have no fear (therefore) in being drowned.  Even at this moment.  Ashtavakra shall see his long-lost sire, Kahoda.’

“Lomasa said, ’Then rose before Janaka all the Brahmanas, after having been duly worshipped by the magnanimous Varuna.  Kahoda said, ’It is for this, O Janaka, that men pray for sons, by performing meritorious acts.  That in which I had failed hath been achieved by my son.  Weak persons may have sons endued with strength; dunces may have intelligent sons; and the illiterate may have sons possessed of learning.’  Vandin said, ’It is with thy sharpened axe, O monarch, that even Yama severeth the heads of foes.  May prosperity attend thee!  In this sacrifice of king Janaka, the principal hymns relating to the Uktha rites are being chanted, and the Soma juice also is being adequately quaffed.  And the gods themselves, in person, and with cheerful hearts, are accepting their sacred shares.’

“Lomasa said, ’When in enhanced splendour, the Brahmanas had risen up, Vandin, taking king Janaka’s permission, entered into the waters of the sea.  And then Ashtavakra worshipped his father, and he himself also was worshipped by the Brahmanas.  And having thus defeated the Suta’s son.[40] Ashtavakra returned to his own excellent hermitage, in company with his uncle.  Then in the presence of his mother, his father addressed him, saying, ‘(O son), thou speedily enter into this river, Samanga.’  And accordingly, he entered (into the water). (And as he plunged beneath the water), all his (crooked) limbs were immediately made straight.  And from that day that river came to be called Samanga and she became invested with the virtues of purifying (sins).  He that shall bathe in her, will be freed from his sins.  Therefore, O Yudhishthira, do thou with thy brothers and wife descend to the river, and perform thy ablutions.  O Kunti’s son, O scion of the Ajamidha race, living happily and cheerfully at this place together with thy brothers and the Brahmanas, thou wilt perform with me other acts of merit, being intent upon good deeds.’”