Shankaracharya and his disciples

….contd….

Adi Shankaracharya had few shishyas with him learning from him. One among them was Giri. He was a slow learner and couldn’t understand most of what was taught by Guru Adi Shankaracharya. So, he would seek clarification after the class from his seniors and his fellow students who were adept at grasping all that was taught. He was made fun of by one and all. He did not feel bad about it. He did not feel insulted or dejected. Instead he would think he may be a shame to his Guru because of his dullness. He had one quality that no one had - Guru Bhakthi. He would do all that was to be done even before it was told to him by his Guru. He was so much tuned to his Guru’s need. For eg. He would feel his Guru is to get up in 10mts and would immediately get up (I am taking about early morning 2.45am or so..) and keep light ready outside Guru’s room and his staff, clothes to take to the river. He would be ever ready standing outside the door, when his Guru would open his door ready with lamp.

Once he had gone for washing his Guru’s clothes and it was time to start the class. All other students had gathered. Adi Shankaracharya said “Let’s wait for Giri to start the lecture.” Everyone laughed and said “What’s the use? Even if he listens, he wouldn’t anyhow understand. So, let’s continue.” Guru felt very bad for his dear shishya that day. He closed his eyes and said “Giri, here take all the knowledge that I wish to give you – now Giri who was on his way to ashram stopped as he heard his Guru’s voice and closed his eyes as per his Guru’s order. When he opened his eyes, he rushed towards ashram with tears of joy flowing from his eyes and as he looked at his Guru he started singing “Throtaka Ashtakam“.  Everyone was stunned. That day they realized what they lacked and what he had. They realized that they wanted to learn with their ego and here was a simpleton working on cleansing his ego and got everything in a fraction of a second. Adi Shakaracharya named him Throtaka and hence the Ashtakam was called so.

….contd…..