(Ashtavakra)
Ashtavakra replied to the assembly of great scholars, famous Pundits and logicians gathered in the court of king Janaka, when they laughed looking at his form, ‘Well, Sir, I entered this gathering thinking it to be a sacred assembly convened by the famous Emperor Janaka to discuss the holy scriptures. If only I had known what kind of people was attending this assembly, I would not have bothered to come. I waited patiently for many days and then entered this hall thinking that the greatest living scholars would be assembled here. I looked forward to being in the company of such sacred souls. But, alas, I find nothing but cobblers here, only Charmakaras, shoe makers, who stitch chappals and work with leather’.
Ashtavakra continued in the same vein. Charmakara is the proper word to describe you; only cobblers, only people who work with hides and skins will think about the worth of a particular skin; others will not be bothered about it. All of you are laughing at my skin and have obviously decided it is not worth much, but not even one of you has made an effort to know about my scholarship. Pundits should have the capacity to look inward, but you only seem to care about outer covering. If you have not developed your inner vision but are only concerned with the superficial outer vision, then you cannot be considered scholars at all. Then you are only Charmakaras, shoe-makers, cobblers, specialists in hides.’
When we examine a person we pay attention only to his physical features, his wealth, his status, his education and degrees and so on. On the other hand when God examines a person, He looks at the purity of his heart, He pays attention to the place that is within him. It is such inner vision that we must develop.
Inna purity is even more important than outer purity. The Lord is ever present both inside and out Therefore, the inner and the outer, the entire place where the Lord is to be found, must be purified and sanctified. Then the indwelling God will protect you wherever you go. (SSS Vol.20)