A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.148

c5.148

ASHTĀVAKRA. A Brāhman, the son of Kahoda, whose story is told in the Mahā-bhārata. Kahoda married a daughter of his preceptor, Uddālaka, but he was so devoted to study that he neglected his wife. When she was far advanced in her pregnancy, the unborn son was provoked at his father's neglect of her, and rebuked him for it. Kahoda was angry at the child's impertinence, and condemned him to be born crooked; so he came forth with his eight (*ashta*) limbs crooked (*vakra*); hence his name. Kahoda went to a great sacrifice at the court of Janaka, king of Mithilā. There was present there a great Buddhist sage, who challenged disputations, upon the understanding that whoever was overcome in argument should be thrown into the river. This was the fate of many, and among them of Kahoda, who was drowned. In his twelfth year Ashtāvakra learned the manner of his father's death, and set out to avenge him. The lad was possessed of great ability and wisdom. He got the better of the sage who had worsted his father, and insisted that the sage should be thrown into the water. The sage then declared himself to be a son of Varuna, god of the waters, who had sent him to obtain Brāhmans for officiating at a sacrifice by overpowering them in argument and throwing them into the water. When all was explained and set right, Kahoda directed his son to bathe in the Samangā river, on doing which the lad became perfectly straight. A story is told in the Vishnu Purāna that Ashtāvakra was standing in water performing penances when he was seen by some celestial nymphs and worshipped by them. He was pleased, and told them to ask a boon. They asked for the best of men as a husband. He came out of the water and offered himself. When they saw him, ugly and crooked in eight places, they laughed in derision. He was angry, and as he could not recall his blessing, he said that, after obtaining it, they should fall into the hands of thieves.