~~~~~~~~~~~ASHTAVAKRA~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~अष्टावक्र ~~~~~~
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Ashtavakra was born of Kahor ( Kahoda) and Sujata.
While Ashtavakra was still in his mother's womb, Kahor
was once reciting the Vedas, sitting beside his wife. To
their great surprise, the child in the womb suddenly cried
out :
"Father, even lying in my mother's womb I have already
learnt all the Vedas through your grace. But I regret that
you often make mistakes in yourrecitation."
Kahor took this as a grave insult, and cursed him, saying
that he would be born with eight parts of his body
deformed. Accordingly, in course of time, the child was
born likewise, with a twisted form, and so was named
'Ashtavakra', (Eight-curved). In the meanwhile Kahor
went to the court of the king Janaka to beg money from
the king. The king had at that time in his court a great
scholar called Vandi (Vandin), son of King Varuna. He
was profoundly versed in the Vedas. Kahor was called
to debate by him, was defeated and thrown into the sea
where he had to be engaged as a priest in a sacrifice,
(Yajna) that was being performed by Varuna.
When Ashtavakra grew to be a lad of twelve and heard
of the sad plight of his father, he repaired to the court of
Janaka, in company with his maternal uncle Svetaketu.
Being a mere boy, he was not at first allowed entrance
into the court, but when he gave proof of his extra-ordinary
learning in the Sastras, he was cordially welcomed. He at
once sought out his father's opponent, Vandi, and entered
into a debate with him. A wonderful controversy ensued,
and the boy of twelve defeated the foremost vetaran scholar
of the court of Janaka. He then rescued his father from the
captivity of Varuna. Kahor was highly satisfied with his son,
and asked him to bathe in the river 'Samaanga', and lo ! he
came out of the waters with all his limbs made straight. But
his name continued the same for ever.
-MAHABHARAT.
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