(1-8) Navagupta, the master of black magic, was, as stated before, planning, ever since his defeat at the hands of Sankara, to bring about his death by black magic. By Abhichara (a form of black magic) this evil one produced in the body of the Acharya a rectal fistula of an incurable nature. The disciple…

(1-23) Now Acharya Sankara, along with the king Sudhanva and a large number of disciples, started on a Dig-vijaya – a missionary tour for the propagation of the Advaita doctrine by controverting all philosophies opposed to it. He first traveled towards the Setu. On his way, he came across a sect whose followers were externally…

(1-19) Once Padmapada approached the Acharya and sought permission to go on a pilgrimage to holy places. The Acharya thereupon said to him, “The proximity of the Guru is the real place of pilgrimage. The washings of his feet are the holy waters. The attainment of the Atman through the Guru’s instruction is the real…

(1-21) One day Sureswara, desirous of writing some exegesis on his Master’s great commentary on the Sariraka-bhashya, approached him and said: “O great teacher! Please tell me how I could help you in your mission. To live in the service of his teacher is the only desirable form of life for a disciple.” Glad at…

(l-5) Once, while the Acharya was travelling with his disciples from one pilgrimage to another, the party arrived at the holy spot of Gokarna on the sea-shore. The Acharya worshiped there at the shrine of Siva, who is the divine director of this stage of the world, who is adored by Brahma and all the…

(1-28) One day Sankara, the conqueror of all the passions and the resort of even rishis who have conquered their lower self, was resting at a solitary spot after he had delivered his discourses on the Bhashya. A fierce and cruel-hearted Kapalika now approached him with evil intentions in the guise of an ascetic, even…

(1-10) Next various propitiatory and auspicious rites were performed by priests for the king’s welfare. Then accompanied by his friends and the ministers, the king went in procession on an elephant’s back to his city. After pacifying his sorrow-stricken subjects, the king. along with his ministers, ruled the kingdom like Indra over the heavens, receiving…

(1-3) Though the words of the great Sannyasin, expounding the words of the Veda in such a clear and cogent way, put an end to Mandana’s desire for controversy, he still had one doubt uncleared owing to his fanatical devotion to the path of Vedic rituals. He said: “O great Sannyasin! Defeat in debate is…

(1-13) Bhagavan Sankara now left Prayaga; and travelling through the skies, reached the splendid city of Mahishmati which had gained great reputation as the residence of Mandana. Admiring the beauty and splendour of the. numerous buildings of the city, he descended from the skies even like the sun at the close of the day, in…

(1-21) Once, seated on the banks of the Ganga, the Acharya was teaching his commentaries to his disciples till late in the noon. Finding the disciples exhausted, the Acharya closed the session and got up, when he was confronted by an old Brahmana with the question: “What are you teaching, Sir? And may I know…