Shloka 8
Aṣṭāvakra–Bandi Vāda at Janaka’s Assembly
Numerical Cosmology and Restitution
दारपाल उवाच सरस्वतीमीरय वेदजुष्टा- मेकाक्षरां बहुरूपां विराजम् । अज्जभात्मानं समवेक्षस्व बाल॑ कि शलाघसे दुर्लभो वै मनीषी,द्वारपालने कहा-ब्राह्मणकुमार! तुम वेद-प्रतिपादित, एकाक्षरत्रह्मयका बोध करानेवाली, अनेक रूपवाली, सुन्दर वाणीका उच्चारण करो और अपने-आपको बालक ही समझो, स्वयं ही अपनी प्रशंसा क्यों करते हो? इस जगत्में ज्ञानी दुर्लभ हैं
dvārapāla uvāca
sarasvatīm īraya vedajuṣṭām
ekākṣarāṃ bahurūpāṃ virājam |
ajñabhātmānaṃ samavekṣasva bāla
kiṃ ślāghase durlabho vai manīṣī ||
The gatekeeper said: “Utter Sarasvatī—speech honored by the Vedas—she who is the one-syllabled (Om), yet manifold in form, radiant and splendid. Look upon yourself as a mere child, lacking true understanding. Why do you praise yourself? In this world, a genuinely wise person is indeed rare.”
दारपाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse cautions against self-praise and urges humility: true wisdom is rare, and one should approach learning (symbolized by Sarasvatī and Vedic speech) with self-awareness rather than arrogance.
A gatekeeper addresses a young Brahmin-like figure, instructing him to recite/invoke Sarasvatī (Vedic speech, linked with the one-syllable Om) and rebuking him for boasting, reminding him that genuine sages are uncommon.