[brraverishhh]

Gurukulam

After the bereavement in the family, Aryamba moved to her father's house for some days. But she did not forget the last wish of her departed husband. As soon as Sankara reached his fifth year, she returned back to her own home and performed Sankara’s Upanayanam as per the Holy Scriptures. Thereafter, she sent Sankara to the Teacher’s (Guru) house to study (Gurukulam).

Sankara’s Guru was charmed by his devotion to learning. The correctness of Sankara’s pronounciation of words and the sharpness of his intellect fascinated everyone.

In a short span of two years, Sankara was proficient in the Upanishads, Puranas, Itihas and Vedas. He also mastered the various philosophical systems like Nyaya, Sankhya, Patanjala and Vaisesika. Indeed he was as well versed as Bruhaspati, the teacher of the Universe.

Once some pupils were arguing about the number of seeds inside a melon. Young Sankara said that the number of seeds inside that melon would correspond to the number of gods who created the universe. When the children cut open the melon, they found only one seed !

In accordance with the Gurukulam rules, Brahmachari Sankara used to go out for alms every day. One day he went to the house of a poor Brahmin for alms. That day they did not even have a handful of rice. The housewife, not knowing what to do, gave Sankara an Amla fruit (Indian Gooseberry). With tears, she told him of their very poor condition. The woman's terrible poverty deeply moved Sankara. Standing there, he composed and sang a hymn to goddess Mahalakshmi, the great mother who removes poverty and misery.

The hymn, consisting of eighteen verses, known as “Kanakadhaara Stotram” ( kanaka – gold; dhaaraa –shower ) moved Goddess Mahalakshmi. She appeared before him and said, "My dear child, the members of this poor family, in their past lives, did not perform any meritorious acts. How will I bestow on them, wealth and riches?" Sankara then replied to the Mother, " Dear Mother, this lady just now gave me an Amla fruit, when she had nothing else.That, by itself is a meritorious act. If you wish to favour me, please free this family from poverty."

Sankara’s request brought joy to the Goddess and she said, "I shall give this family lots of Amlas of gold." And, Lo and behold- golden amlas rained upon the house. Overwhelmed with joy, the lady and her husband told everyone that it was the Boy-Brahmachari Sankara's blessing that had helped them to so much wealth.

While even very intelligent students took at least twenty years to acquire mastery of all scriptures, Sankara was able to acquire that mastery in just two years with the blessings of his Guru.

Hence, Sankara was permitted to return home long before the expiry of the prescribed term at the Gurukulam.