Shri Adi Sankaracharya Bhagavad Patha before reciting Bhaja Govindam in praise
of Lord Venkateswara, experienced an event, which I humbly submit below for the
information of everyone.
Once HE was in Varanasi, as HE is a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He was always
giving more weight-age to Lord Shiva than Parvathi (Sakthi). Every time Adi Shankara
used to debate in favour of Lord Shiva only. Owing to this, Sakthi was little upset
over Adi Shankara because the arguments came from Adi Shankara's mouth in favour
of Lord Shiva. Sakthi knows that Adi Shankara was a realized soul and knowledge of
Brahma Vidya (Brahman Knowledge = God realization).
Once Adi Shankara was lying on the Banks of Ganges with his head towards South
and feet facing towards North. He saw a Girl coming towards him and asking him
to move his legs, so that she can pass through that way to fetch water from the
Ganges. Sankara said, being a lady, O Mother, go by jumping over the legs
if she so desires, as He is not able to move, because he was very much tired. However,
the Girl refused to jump over body being a Brahmana. She requested Adi Shankara
to move the legs. Adi Shankara, in his reply, in a different tone, "don't you understand
that I told you, I am tired and I am not able to move my legs". (Here the quotation
says - Ignorance separates people as Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra.
Everyone and Everything is Brahmana). Adi Shankara further mentioned that you may
not commit any sin by jumping over me, as I am too tried and not able to move my
legs, Mother. The Girl, in reply, told Adi Shankara, let me move your tried legs and
pass by that. Adi Shankara in a witty reply mentioned to the Girl, you may do whatever
you want. The Girl then lifted his legs and made sufficient space to pass through that
way. The Girl came back that way after fetching water. Adi Shankara asked that Girl,
could you kindly give water to quench the thirst. The Girl soon replied with a smile
that you are only lying on the banks of the Ganges and you are so near to the water.
You may go and drink yourself. Adi Shankara, again little with irritation, on hearing
the Girl's reply, told her that he had already mentioned to her stating that he is too much
tired and not able to move because of weakness, etc. The girl just rolled her eyes and
uttered in a voice that shook the sky at once. "Adi Shankara, perhaps you ignored
Shakthi. Did you not say that Shakthi is not powerful. She said Sakthi is power of
Lord Shiva, depicted as His consort. Siva is Sava (Dead) without Sakthi". It amounts
to that without Shakthi is it is just like a wallet without money.
Adi Shankara was immediately taken aback and shakened by the tone of that Girl
and the meaning of the words. Adi Shankara shut his eyes and opened them to find
waves of Light in HER eyes equal to a thousand Suns and Moons. Adi Shankara
ran to HER to seek refuge. The Light and the Girl disappeared.
ound:
