(Janaka debating with Ashtavakra)
Once upon a time, King Janaka sent round a message inviting scholars, sages and yogis to teach him the knowledge of Atma. He announced: In the time it takes me to climb on to my horse, one should be able to give full Brahma Jnana (knowledge of Absolute).’ The sages and scholars were worried, as they felt ‘This is going to be a severe test for or scholarship and learning.’ No one dared came and offer to satisfy the King’s demand.
Meanwhile, a sage by name Ashtavakra entered the kingdom asked them: ‘what is the cause of all your worries? They explained their situation and he said, ‘Why should you scared about such a small thing? I can solve this problem.’ So saying, he entered the court of King Janaka. He said to King, ‘King! I am ready to teach you the knowledge of Atma, but it cannot be taught in this palace which is full of rajo and thamo gunas. First I must take you to a Satwa area.’
They have a few horses and soldiers and left the palace. On reaching a lonely spot, Ashtavakra told the king, ‘I am now going to teach you the knowledge of Atma. I am the preceptor and you are the disciple. Are you ready to accept this relationship? If you agree to this, then you have to make an offering the shishya has to give to the Guru (preceptor). Only after you have made your offering will I will start my teaching.’ King Janaka told Ashtavakra, ‘I want to attain Brahman and I am therefore prepared to give anything you want.’ Then the Guru told King: ‘I don’t want anything except your mind.’ King Janaka answered: ‘I offer it to you; from now on, it is yours.’
Then the Guru brought a horse, made it stand, and asked the King to sit down on the ground in the middle of the road of his kingdom. He left the king there and retired into forest to sit quietly under a tree.
The soldiers waited for a long time for the return of the king but neither the king nor Ashtavakra came. They wanted to know what had happened to them, and one by one, they went to find out. They found their king sitting in the middle of the road with a horse standing nearby. The king had closed his eyes and was absolutely still. Ashtavakra was nowhere to be found. They were rather afraid at that this Ashtavakra had cast some magic spell over the king, making him lose consciousness. They went to the prime minister and brought him to the king. The prime minister called the king. ‘Maharaja, Maharaja, Maharaja,’ but the king did not open his eyes or respond in any way. The prime minister and courtiers were alarmed as they could not rouse the king or give him any food or drink. They were wondering what to do. Left with no alternative, the prime minister sent the chariot to bring the queen, thinking that if she called the king, he would respond to her entreaties. The queen came and pleaded. But the king remained unmoved.
Meanwhile, the soldiers went in search in search of Ashtavakra into the forest. They found him sitting under a tree in a total peace. They took hold of him and brought him to the place where the king was sitting. Ashtavakra said, ‘The king is saved, he is all right. You may see for yourself.’ The ministers, the queen and others told Ashtavakra: ‘He has not opened his mouth or eyes.’ Ashtavakra went to close and called him saying, ‘Maharaja’ immediately the king opened eyes and replied, ‘Swami’, Ashtavakra told the king, ‘The ministers and the queen have come; the soldiers and many others have come and all have tried to talk to you, why did you not answer them?
The king replied, ‘Thoughts, words and deeds are associated with the mind. As I have offered my mind entirely to you, first I need your permission before uttering a word. What authority do I have over my mind? I have offered it to you; it is yours. I won’t do anything without your permission and command.’ Then Ashtavakra said, ‘You have reached the state of Amanaska (free from mental limitation)’ and he asked him place his foot upon the stirrup to mount the horse. By the time he had climbed the horse and placed his other leg over the horseback, he got the experience of Atma ananda (Bliss of Divine self).
Krishna told Arjuna, ‘Offer your everything to Me; offer all your Dharmas (righteousness) to Me and I will take care of you and give you liberation and deliverance. Be they physical, mental, spiritual or worldly offer all your actions to Me.’ (SSS Vol.17, pp. 152-155)