Sankara was on his way <br />To the temple, one day, <br />After his bath in Ganges <br />Along with his disciples. <br /> <br />By then, a low caste man, <br />With his unclean woman, <br />And four dogs by his side, <br />Sankara’s path, he crossed. <br /> <br />A disciple began to yell, <br />“Go away, you Sandala, <br />Our Master is here <br />Don’t come near.” <br /> <br />The man laughed <br />And then he said, <br />“You preach Advaita. <br />What’s this Advaita? ” <br /> <br />“If everything is divine <br />Why this difference then? <br />Bodies are many, not one, <br />But you say Atman is one.” <br /> <br />“Should body or Atman, <br />Which one you mean, <br />Should go far away <br />From your pathway? ” <br /> <br />Sankara, wonder struck <br />At the man’s sharp prick, <br />Could immediately guess <br />They weren’t from low class. <br /> <br />'Lord Viswanath, as a man, <br />Goddess Visalakshi, as a woman, <br />They both had come to test <br />In this way, ' Sankara thought. <br /> <br />He sang in praise of them, <br />And then worshiped them. <br />Casting away their disguise, <br />They came out to praise. <br /> <br />“You rose up from me. <br />You should also see <br />What you preach others <br />You should practice thus.” <br /> <br />“To test you I came here. <br />This, the world should hear. <br />This drama is now over. <br />May your fame live forever.” <br /> <br />The Lord disappeared. <br />Sankara was pleased, <br />Having seen Him <br />In His real form.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adi-sankara-09-the-untouchable/
