Govinda Bhagavatpada was the guru of Adi Shankaracharya. The
Guru of Govinda Bhagavatpada was Gaudapada. It is believed that Vyakarana Mahabhashyam
of Sage Patanjali was taught to Govinda Bhagavatpada by Gaudapada in the form
of ghost.
As per Patanjali charitam of Rama Bhadra Dikshithar, Gaudapada
was the student of Sage Patanjali in Chidambaram. He was learning Vyakarana Mahabhashyam
from Patanjali Rishi.
Gaudapada was erratic in attending the classes. This angered
Sage Patanjali who cursed him to become a Brahmarakshas (ghost).
Sage Patanjali repented later and blessed Gaudapada with the
knowledge of Vyakarana Mahabhashyam. He also told Gaudapada that when he teaches
the text to an eligible student he will be relieved of the curse.
Gaudapada then resided at a cave near the present Omkareshwar
Temple on the banks of Narmada River.
Sitting on a peepal tree on the banks of Narmada River,
Gaudapada interviewed many people but found no one worth receiving the
knowledge of Vyakarana Mahabhashyam.
One day he met a young man named Chandra Sharma. He was going
to Chidambaram to learn Vyakarana Mahabhashyam. Gaudapada interviewed the young
man and found him eligible to learn the great text.
Gaudapada taught Chandra Sharma the text and was relieved of
the curse.
Chandra Sharma later came to be known as Govinda
Bhagavatpada. He was the guru of Adi Shankaracharya.