The royal court of King Janak’s kingdom was filled to the brim. Educated people from various kingdoms had assembled to listen to the finest minds discussing matters pertaining to the soul. Janak was the patron of numerous seers and scholars and regularly held such spiritual assemblies.
Far away in his village, the young scholar Ashtavakra was keen to participate in one such session. He had another connection to these sessions: his father.
Sage Kahola was reciting mantras when the unborn child in his wife’s womb corrected him regarding his pronunciations. An angry Kahola cursed his unborn child, who was born with eight deformities in his body and hence was called Ashtavakra. Incidentally, Kahola lost a fierce debate in King Janak’s royal court a few years later and was banished to the Yamuna riverbed according to the rules of the debate.
The moment Ashtavakra set foot inside the royal court, he was met with laughter. In response, he laughed louder, shocking the entire assembly. When Janak’s counsellors introduced Ashtavakra, Janak was elated since he had heard about the young seer and accorded him respect in tune with the protocol.
‘What’s the subject of the discussion, O king?’ Ashtavakra wanted to know.
‘There was one question being debated until now. It was about the soul,’ the king replied. ‘Now there’s another. I know others laughed at your unusual way of walking. The second question I would like an answer to is, What made you laugh?’
‘I too was laughing at myself,’ Ashtavakra replied.
‘I don’t understand,’ said Janak, intrigued, as were others in the royal court.
‘I came expecting astute minds discussing the soul,’ Ashtavakra explained. ‘However, what I find is a congregation of traders obsessed with the exterior—the skin, the body, the looks—like shoemakers discussing the quality of leather. Hence, I laughed at having made the mistake of coming to the wrong place.’
As the meaning of Ashtavakra’s words dawned upon them, everyone became quiet. Oh, how today we might scorn those mocking Ashtavakra in the assembly of Janak, little realising that these mockers are still among us. Nay, within us! Aren’t we forever enamoured by external features without a clue of what’s shining deep within, not just in the mind but in the soul? It’s time our vision improved and turned inward.
Rajessh M. Iyer is a storyteller who explores human relationships through meaningful anecdotes, parables, and stories; he shares his work on www.rajesshmiyer.com.