we have come, desirous of seeing the sacrifice, and to meet king Janaka and speak to him.  But thy warder obstructs us and for this our anger burneth us like fever.”  The warder said, “We carry out the orders of Vandin.  Listen to what I have to say.  Lads are not permitted to enter here and it is only the learned old Brahmanas that are allowed to enter.”  Ashtavakra said.  “If this be the condition, O warder, that the door is open to those only that are old, then we have a right to enter.  We are old and we have observed sacred vows and are in possession of energy proceeding from the Vedic lore.  And we have served our superiors and subdued our passions—­and have also won proficiency in knowledge.  It is said that even boys are not to be slighted,—­for a fire, small though it be, burneth on being touched.”  The warder replied, “O young Brahmana, I consider you a boy, and therefore recite, if you know, the verse demonstrating the existence of the Supreme Being, and adored by the divine sages, and which, although composed of one letter, is yet multifarious.  Make no vain boast.  Learned men are really very rare.”  Ashtavakra said, “True growth cannot be inferred from the mere development of the body, as the growth of the knots of the Salmali tree cannot signify its age.  That tree is called full-grown which although slender and short, beareth fruits.  But that which doth not bear fruits, is not considered as grown.”  The warder said, “Boys receive instruction from the old and they also in time grow old.  Knowledge certainly is not attainable in a short time.  Wherefore then being a child, dost thou talk like an old man?” Then Ashtavakra said, “One is not old because his head is gray.  But the gods regard him as old who, although a child in years, is yet possessed of knowledge.  The sages have not laid down that a man’s merit consists in years, or gray hair, or wealth, or friends.  To us he is great who is versed in the Vedas.  I have come here, O porter, desirous of seeing Vandin in the court.  Go and inform king Janaka, who hath a garland of lotuses on his neck, that I am here.  Thou shalt to-day see me enter into a dispute with the learned men, and defeat Vandin in a controversy.  And when others have been silenced, the Brahmanas of matured learning and the king also with his principal priests, bear witness to the superior or the inferior quality of his attainments.”  The warder said, “How canst thou, who art but in thy tenth year, hope to enter into this sacrifice, into which learned and educated men only are admitted?  I shall, however, try some means for thy admittance.  Do thou also try thyself.”  Ashtavakra then addressing the king said, “O king, O foremost of Janaka’s race, thou art the paramount sovereign and all power reposeth in thee.  In times of old, king Yayati was the celebrator of sacrifices.  And in the present age, thou it is that art performer thereof.  We have heard that the learned Vandin, after defeating (in controversy) men expert in discussion, causeth