Ashtavakra Answers King Janaka's Riddles

Ashtavakra stood before King Janaka and spoke directly: "O king! O supreme among those of the Janaka lineage! You are worthy of praise. You have all the riches. You are the performer of sacrificial deeds, like King Yayati was the only one in ancient times. We have heard that the wise Bandi, after defeating those who know the Vedas in debate, employs your servants to immerse those broken ones in water. Having heard this from the brahmanas, I have come here today to engage in debate. Where is Bandi? Where can I find him? I will destroy him today, like the sun causing the stars to fade." Janaka studied the boy. "You hope to vanquish Bandi without knowing the other's power with words. Those who know his powers are incapable of speaking thus. He has been tested by brahmanas skilled in debate." Ashtavakra was unmoved. "Those who debated were not like me. That made him like a lion and he roars thus. When he meets me today, he will be destroyed, like a cart on the road with its axle broken." Janaka decided to test him. He asked a riddle: "He alone is supremely wise who knows what has six parts, twelve axles, twenty-four segments and three hundred and sixty spokes." Ashtavakra answered without pause: "May the wheel with twenty-four segments, six parts, twelve axles and three hundred and sixty spokes always protect you." He had named the year — the wheel of time itself, with its six seasons, twelve months, twenty-four fortnights, and three hundred and sixty days. Janaka asked again: "They are joined like horses and descend like hawks. Who among the gods gives them birth and who do they give birth to?" Ashtavakra replied: "O king! Let them steer away from your house and even from the houses of your enemies. The one with the wind as a charioteer gives them birth and they also give birth to him." He had named the clouds — born from the wind, and giving birth to the wind in return through the cycle of rain and evaporation. Janaka asked a third time: "What does not close its eyes when it sleeps? What does not move when it is born? What has no heart? What increases in speed when force is imposed?" Ashtavakra answered: "A fish does not close its eyes when it sleeps. An egg does not move when it is born. A stone has no heart. A river increases in speed when force is imposed." Janaka looked at the boy before him — ten years old, twisted in body, but answering riddles that had confounded older men. He understood. He opened the gate fully. Bandi was summoned. The debate was about to begin.