Thread by @VarierSangitha

#WorldDisabilityDay
the story of great learned Sage Ashtavakra.
While still in his mother's womb,once he corrected uchhaaran of Vedic rituals by his own father, Sage Kahod in presence of all his students. Angered at this,he cursed his own son to be born with 8 deformities🚩1/8

🚩 Ashtavakra was named so because he had 8 deformities in his body,he couldnt even walk properly and is often depicted carrying a stick.But he was extremely intelligent🚩
To earn some fortune and money, once his poor father went to the court of King Janak of Videha🚩2/8

🚩Where a great sacrifice was going on under management of his learned preceptor & priest Bandi.
Sage Kahod had a great Shastra discourse & debate with Bandi but was defeated & on Bandi's order, he was drowned in water 🚩3/8

🚩 Ashtavakra didnt know this truth.He grew up with his maternal uncle Shveketu who was of same age.Once while sitting on his maternal grandfather's lap,Shvetketu threw him down saying its not 'his father's lap', He asked his mother about his father & she narrated the story🚩4/8

🚩 To take revenge, Ashtavakra went to the Videha capital with Shvetketu seeking debate with Bandi. He was stopped at the gate & also was examined by King Janak himself. Both the guard & king were impressed with Ashtavakra's knowledge & they presented him before Bandi 🚩5/8

🚩 Bandi & Ashtavakra had a great discourse regarding each number starting one and that number's significance. They were both at par till number 12. While telling about number 13, Bandi fell short of examples & Ashtavakra was able to explain it in detail🚩6/8

🚩 Accepting his defeat Bandi agrees to enter water, revealing that he was son of Varun & all the sages who were drowned before were assisting his father. When Bandi drowned himself, Sage Kahod & others came back& was happy to know that his son 🚩7/8

🚩whom he once cursed,even before his birth is the reason for his redemption. Ashtavakra is a revered figure in our scriptures & a perfect example of why person with disability should not be disrespected or neglected,one may not know his/her hidden potential🚩8/8
#RewriteHistory

🚩 Courtesy-
"The lotus of Saraswati" by Mrinal Rai 🙏