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News India Live, Digital Desk: For the revival of Sanatan Dharma, Adi Shankaracharya toured the whole of India and founded Advaita Vedanta by defeating the scholars in debates. But there came a turn in his life when he became silent in front of a woman’s arguments. This woman is none other than the great scholar of that time. Mandan Mishra wife of Bharti Were.
Maha-shastrartha started with condition
According to the story, a historical debate took place between Adi Shankaracharya and Mandan Mishra in Mahishmati (the region of present-day Bihar). The condition was that if Shankaracharya lost, he would leave Sannyasa and become a householder and if Mandan Mishra lost, he would have to adopt Sannyasa. Mandan Mishra’s wife ‘Ubhay Bharti’ himself was chosen as the judge, because she was considered an incarnation of Saraswati.
When Bharti took command
After several days of debate, the garland around Mandan Mishra’s neck withered, which was a sign of his defeat. When Mandan Mishra was about to accept defeat, his wife Bharti intervened. He said, “Swami, your defeat is still incomplete. According to the scriptures, the wife is half of the husband, so to defeat you completely, Shankaracharya will have to defeat me also.”
The question that made Shankaracharya think
Bharti knew that Shankaracharya was a child celibate. He changed the topic of debate ‘Kamashastra’ (Art of Love and Sensuality) And based it on the experiences of family life. He asked questions which only a householder could answer.
Shankaracharya’s dilemma: Being a monk, Shankaracharya had no knowledge of these worldly experiences. They became speechless and instead of accepting their defeat, they asked Bharati for an answer. 6 months time sought.
Parakaya entry and perfection of knowledge
Shankaracharya, with his Yoga Shakti, took his Prana out of his body and entered the body of a dead king (Amaruk). As a king he experienced household life, love and worldly emotions. After 6 months, when he came back, he answered all the questions of Bharti. Bharati paid tribute to his scholarship and acknowledged that his knowledge was now complete.
message of this story
This passage teaches us that:
Respect for women power: Even in that era, women had the status of decisive and equal partners in debates.
Importance of Experience: Mere bookish knowledge is not enough; Both worldly and spiritual experiences are important for the completeness of life.