Adi Shankaracharya traveled all around India engaging
scholars in religious debate. During one such debate, Bharati, wife of scholar
Mandana Mishra, attempted to defeat Adi Shankara in the topic of Kama Shastra –
sex. To win this debate Adi Shankaracharya performed parakaya pravesha – enter
the body of another person.
In the debate between Mandana Mishra and Adi Shankara,
Bharati was appointed the judge as she was a scholar by herself. Mandana Mishra
was easily defeated in the debate by Adi Shankara.
Bharati contented that Adi Shankara had only defeated one
half of Mandana Mishra. To completely defeat him, Adi Shankara had to defeat his
wife too.
Bharati soon realized that she could not defeat Adi Shankara
in philosophy, so turned the debate towards Kamashastra. As Adi Shankara was a
Brahmachari he had no knowledge of sex.
Adi Shankara asked Bharati to give him a month’s time to
debate this topic with her.
Adi Shankaracharya then used his yogic powers to enter the
body of Raja Amaruka who had just died. Before entering the body of the king,
he hid his physical body in a cave and asked his disciples go guard it.
For next one month, in the body of the king, Adi Shankara
indulged in sexual activities and learned Kama Shastra.
A month later he returned and defeated Bharati in the
debate.