Shloka 13
Aṣṭāvakra–Bandi Vāda at Janaka’s Assembly
Numerical Cosmology and Restitution
दिदृक्षुरस्मि सम्प्राप्तो बन्दिनं राजसंसदि । निवेदयस्व मां द्वा:स्थ राज्ञे पुष्करमालिने,द्वारपाल! मैं राजसभामें बन्दीसे मिलनेके लिये आया हूँ। तुम कमलपुष्पकी माला धारण किये हुए महाराज जनकको मेरे आगमनकी सूचना दे दो
didṛkṣur asmi samprāpto bandinaṃ rājasansadi | nivedayasva māṃ dvāḥstha rājñe puṣkaramāline ||
Aṣṭāvakra nói: “Ta đến đây, mong được gặp người bị giam giữ trong triều hội. Hỡi người giữ cửa, hãy tâu báo việc ta đến với vua Janaka, đấng mang vòng hoa sen.”
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical conduct in pursuit of knowledge: even a confident seeker approaches institutions of power and learning with clarity of purpose, respect for procedure, and truthful speech—setting a dharmic tone before debate or judgment.
Aṣṭāvakra arrives at King Janaka’s court intending to meet a person held captive in the royal assembly. He addresses the gatekeeper and requests that his arrival be formally announced to Janaka, identified by the epithet ‘lotus-garlanded.’