Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavadpada - Part II ...Contd

Add as a preferred source on Google

In the course of spreading Advaita, Sankara came upon Mandala Mishra or Viswaroopa who believed in the Karma Mimamsa school ( Rituals). Sankara challenged Mandala Mishra's beliefs with His Advaitic principles. Mandala Mishra's wife Ubhaya Bharati or Sarasavani a wise person herself adjudged the debate. Ubhaya Bharati knew of Sankara's intelligence but could not let her husband down. Hence it was decided that both the debaters would wear garlands and the garland that faded in the course of the debate would be the loser.

Sankara no doubt emerged victorious however at the end of the debate Ubhaya Bharati shot an array of questions regarding Kamasastra at Sankara who had not a clue about it. It is said that He entered the body of a dying king through a subtle yogic process called Parakaaya Pravesaa. He thereby experienced the art of love with the queens and answered the questions of Ubhaya Bharati. Hence he won over Mandala Mishra as His disciple and named him Sureshwara.

;