Shloka 17
अष्टावक्र-प्रवेशः तथा ब्रह्मोद्य-प्रारम्भः
Aṣṭāvakra’s Entry and the Opening of the Brahmodya
ररक्ष सा चापि तमस्य मन्त्र जातो>प्यसौ नैव शुश्राव विप्र: । उद्दालकं पितृवच्चापि मेने तथाष्टावक्रो भ्रातृवच्छवेतकेतुम्,सुजाताने भी अपने पुत्रसे उस गोपनीय समाचारको गुप्त ही रखा। इसीसे जन्म लेनेके बाद भी उस ब्राह्मण-बालकको इसके विषयमें कुछ भी पता न लगा। अष्टावक्र अपने नाना उद्दालकको ही पिताके समान मानते थे और श्वेतकेतुको अपने भाईके समान समझते थे
rarakṣa sā cāpi tam asya mantra-jāto ’py asau naiva śuśrāva vipraḥ | uddālakaṃ pitṛ-vac cāpi mene tathāṣṭāvakro bhrātṛ-vac chvetaketum ||
She kept that confidential matter hidden even from him. Therefore, though the boy was born from that sacred utterance, the young brāhmaṇa learned nothing of it. Aṣṭāvakra regarded his maternal grandfather Uddālaka as a father, and he considered Śvetaketu as a brother.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that social and ethical bonds—formed through care, upbringing, and rightful conduct—can define ‘father’ and ‘brother’ as much as biological origin. It also underscores the power and consequences of keeping knowledge concealed.
A woman keeps a secret about the boy’s mantra-based origin, so the young brahmin remains unaware of it. Aṣṭāvakra, shaped by his upbringing, treats Uddālaka as his father-figure and Śvetaketu as his brother.