The divine meeting between Adi Shankaracharya and his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada is full of miracles. As per Patanjali charitam, Govinda Bhagavatpada resided in a cave near the famous Omkareshwar Temple on the banks of Narmada River. He lived here for several years expecting the arrival of Adi Shankaracharya.
At the age of eight, Adi Shankaracharya left his home and walked towards North in search of a Guru. When he reached the southern banks of Narmada, the river was flooded.
Govinda Bhagavatpada was inside a cave on the northern banks of Narmada River.
Sensing the presence of his Guru in the cave, Adi Shankaracharya immediately composed the now famous Narmadashtakam – a hymn praising the greatness of Narmada River.
Immediately, the swelling of Narmada River stopped and the river entered the kamandalu of Adi Shankara.
Immediately, the swelling of Narmada River stopped and the river entered the kamandalu of Adi Shankara.
As soon as Adi Shankara reached the cave, Govinda Bhagavatpada woke up from his intense meditation.
Govinda Bhagavatpada asked Adi Shankara Who Are You?
Adi Shankara answered in ten slokas now famous as Dasa Sloki.
The first shloka - I am not earth, nor water, nor fire, nor wind, nor senses organs, nor am combination of these, because they don’t always exists, that remains even in sleep after everything is taken out. Hence, I am that one, simply Shiva the self.
The long wait of Govinda Bhagavatpada for his disciple ended that moment. He accepted Adi Shankara as his disciple and initiated him into Sanyasa and blessed him with the four mahavakyas from the Upanishads.