Shloka 24
Aṣṭāvakra–Bandi Vāda at Janaka’s Assembly
Numerical Cosmology and Restitution
राजोवाच त्रिंशकद्धादशांशस्य चतुर्विशतिपर्वण: । यस्त्रिषष्टिशतारस्य वेदार्थ स पर: कवि:,तब राजाने परीक्षा लेनेके लिये कहा--जो पुरुष तीस अवयव, बारह अंश, चौबीस पर्व और तीन सौ साठ अरोंवाले पदार्थको जानता है--उसके प्रयोजनको समझता है, वह उच्चकोटिका ज्ञानी है
rājovāca triṃśakād dvādaśāṃśasya caturviśatiparvaṇaḥ | yas triṣaṣṭiśatārasya vedārthaṃ sa paraḥ kaviḥ ||
The king said: “He who truly understands that wondrous ‘wheel’—with thirty components, twelve divisions, twenty‑four joints, and three hundred and sixty spokes—and who grasps its Vedic purpose, is a supreme sage-poet.” In this exchange, the king sets a test of insight: real wisdom is not mere recitation, but discerning the hidden order and ethical meaning behind the Vedic symbolism of time and duty.
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
True learning is the ability to perceive the inner structure and purpose (vedārtha) behind sacred symbols. The ‘wheel’ imagery points to the ordered flow of time and ritual duty; the highest knower is one who understands not only the counts (30/12/24/360) but their intended meaning and application to dharma.
In a dialogue framed as an examination, the king poses a riddle-like description of a many-parted ‘wheel’ to test whether the interlocutor can interpret Vedic symbolism. The question distinguishes superficial familiarity with numbers from genuine insight into the Veda’s intent.