Bandi Reveals He Is Varuna's Son
Ashtavakra demands that Bandi be seized and immersed in water, following the same dharma Bandi imposed on other defeated brahmanas. But Bandi reveals he is the son of King Varuna — and that the brahmanas he defeated were not drowned, but sent to witness a divine sacrifice.
The applause had not yet died down when Ashtavakra spoke again. His voice cut through the assembly.
"I have heard that, vanquishing learned brahmanas in debate, this one immersed them in water. Let Bandi follow the same dharma today. Seize him and immerse him also."
Bandi did not resist. He did not plead. He raised his hand and spoke.
"I am the son of King Varuna. O Janaka! A sacrifice that will last for twelve years is taking place, equal in duration to your sacrifice. Therefore, I have sent the foremost brahmanas there. All of them had gone to witness Varuna's sacrifice. But behold. They are returning."
He turned to Ashtavakra. "I worship the venerable Ashtavakra. Because of him, I will join the one who gave me birth."
Ashtavakra was not satisfied. He spoke again — this time to Janaka.
"You immersed brahmanas in the water of the ocean. Though they were learned and intelligent, they lost in debate. I have now rescued their speech through my learning. Let the learned examine these words. Jataveda Agni knows the houses of the learned and does not consume them. Thus the learned examine the words that are spoken, even if they are uttered by children, sons and those to be pitied. Has your energy become lean because of shleshmataki? Or is that flattery has intoxicated you? You are like an elephant that has been goaded. O Janaka! You are hearing. But you are not paying attention to these words of mine."
Janaka listened carefully. Then he answered.
"I am listening to your words. They are divine in form and superhuman. Your form is also celestial. Since you have vanquished Bandi in debate today, Bandi is yours, to do as you desire."
Ashtavakra said: "O king! I have no use for Bandi alive. If Varuna is his father, immerse him in the water."
Bandi did not flinch. "I am the son of King Varuna. I have no fear from being immersed in the water. Ashtavakra will soon see his father Kahoda, who had been destroyed a long time ago."
With Janaka's permission, Bandi entered the ocean. And as he disappeared beneath the waters, the brahmanas he had sent to Varuna's sacrifice began to return — among them, Kahoda himself, Ashtavakra's father, who had been defeated by Bandi years ago and sent to the same place.
Kahoda looked at his son — the boy born twisted, the boy he had never seen grow — and praised what he had done. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 431