Shankaracharya Cave Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada Cave Temple

Shankaracharya Cave/Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada Cave Temple

Shankaracharya Cave also known as Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada Cave is an ancient cave located just downside of the Omkareshwar Jyothirlinga temple in Madhya Pradesh and is considered one of the holiest places for Hindus. It is situated on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri on the Narmada River, and it is known for its temples and spiritual significance.

Here at this place Adi Sankara met his guru Govinda Bhagavatpada.This is the cave where Guru Shankaracharya studied the Govinda Bhagavatpada Granth and absorbed its lessons. Legend has it that Sri Adi Shankaracharya meditated in this cave during his spiritual journey across India.

According to Patanjali charitam, Govinda Bhagavatpada returned from Badrinath to this cave in Omkareshwar and spent many years there in hopes of running into Adi Shankara. Adi Shankara, then 8 years old, travelled by foot from the Keralan village of Kalady to the Narmada banks in quest of his master. There was a flood in the river when Adi Shankara arrived at the southern banks of the Narmada, and his master was hiding within this cave on the northern banks of the river. In honour of the Narmada River, Adi Shankara instantly wrote the Narmadashtakam. The Narmada immediately dried up and entered Adi Shankara’s “kamandalu.” When he arrived at the cave, Govinda Bhagavatpada awoke after a prolonged state of meditation.

Govinda Bhagavatpada is said to have asked Adi Shankara who he was. Adi Shankara then replied with a verse (which are known as Atma Shatkam or Nirvana Shatkam) composed extempore, that brought out clearly the Advaita philosophy in regard to the Self. Shankara was then initiated as Govinda Bhagavatapada’s disciple, thus formally entering sanyasa.

Adi Shankara was then commissioned by his Guru to write a Bhashya (commentary) on the Brahma Sutra and spread the Advaita philosophy far and wide. Gaudapadacharya was the guru of Govinda Bhagavatpada.

Adi Shankara then spent a brief time in this cave with Govinda Bhagavatpada. Adi Shankara’s guru bhakthi has no analog in human history. His Dakshina murthi stotram is proof of his fervent devotion to his guru.