Shloka 30
राजोवाच नत्वां मन्ये मानुषं देवसत्त्वं न त्वं बाल: स्थविर: सम्मतो मे । न ते तुल्यो विद्यते वाक्प्रलापे तस्मात् द्वारं वितराम्येष बन्दी,राजाने कहा--ब्रह्म! आपकी शक्ति तो देवताओंके समान है, मैं आपको मनुष्य नहीं मानता; आप बालक भी नहीं हैं। मैं तो आपको वृद्ध ही समझता हूँ। वाद-विवाद करनेमें आपके समान दूसरा कोई नहीं है, अतः आपको यज्ञ-मण्डपमें जानेके लिये द्वार प्रदान करता हूँ। यही बन्दी हैं (जिनसे आप मिलना चाहते थे)
rājovāca—na tvāṃ manye mānuṣaṃ deva-sattvaṃ na tvaṃ bālaḥ sthaviraḥ sammato me | na te tulyo vidyate vāk-pralāpe tasmād dvāraṃ vitarāmy eṣa bandī ||
The king said: “I do not regard you as a mere human; your power is like that of the gods. Nor do I consider you a child—I take you to be an elder. In debate and verbal contest no one equals you. Therefore I grant you passage through the gate into the sacrificial enclosure. And here is the captive bard (Bandin) whom you seek.”
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
True authority is grounded in discernment and excellence rather than outward appearance: the king recognizes extraordinary wisdom and debating mastery as a form of ‘divine’ power, and responds with honor and rightful access.
After witnessing the speaker’s unmatched skill in disputation, the king concedes, grants him entry through the gate into the sacrificial arena, and presents Bandin—the captive debater/bard whom the visitor has come to meet or challenge.