One Sanandana by name, <br />To meet Sankara came, <br />From a Cholan Town, <br />Of the Southern region. <br /> <br />As a devotee of Narasimha, <br />At Kasi, he met Sankara, <br />Became then his disciple, <br />And moved in closer circle. <br /> <br />How devoted he was, <br />Sankara revealed this, <br />One day, to all the rest, <br />In a surprising test. <br /> <br />On the bank of the river, <br />Sankara was giving a lecture. <br />On the other side he was <br />Drying Sankara’s clothes. <br /> <br />Sankara called him <br />And then told him, <br />“My clothes are wet. <br />Dried ones, I want.” <br /> <br />He heard his Master’s order. <br />At once, he crossed the river, <br />Not by any available boat <br />But he walked on his feet. <br /> <br />The river was in flood. <br />So, Sankara was afraid <br />Any time, he may sink, <br />Before reaching the bank. <br /> <br />What a wonder it was! <br />For every step of his, <br />There grew up a lotus, <br />As he walked in a trance. <br /> <br />“How did you cross <br />To bring my dress? ” <br />When Sankara asked, <br />Like this, he replied. <br /> <br />“If one thinks of you, <br />He can cross, it’s true, <br />This very ocean of birth, <br />Besides death and rebirth.” <br /> <br />“So, to cross this river <br />Will it not be easier? <br />My forgetting this river, <br />It’s really no wonder.” <br /> <br />“You’re my boat. <br />Here I was brought <br />With my thought <br />Of you till last.” <br /> <br />Sankara gave him <br />Another fitting name, <br />“From now onward <br />You’re Padma Pada! ”<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adi-sankara-08-padma-pada/
