The father of Shankara was a regular worshiper of Devi Rajarajeshwari for many years. He used to offer milk everyday to the Goddess. One day when Sankara was barely 5 years old, the father had to visit a neighbouring village. Everyday after finishing Puja and offering milk to the Goddess, he used to distribute the remaining milk to his wife, son and others as Prasadam. He told the boy, "Son! Your mother cannot perform the worship which I do. You better do the worship today."
After the father left, the boy followed his fathers instructions. He filled a tumbler with milk, placed it before the image of the Goddess Rajarajeshwari and prayed: "Mother! Accept this offering of milk". He went on praying to the Goddess. When he found that the milk remained untouched, he became very sad. He cried: "Mother! What great crime I have committed? When my father offered the milk you used to take it, when I am offering, You are not taking". He was in a deep distress. He was thinking whether there was any lapse on his part, he became desperate. He declared in agony : "Mother! If You do not take the milk I shall end my life. I would have dishonored my father. I would also be guilty of failing to fulfill my mothers command. If I cannot please my parents, what is the use in my living?". He prayed intensely to the Goddess in great agony. Moved by the naive entreaties of the boy, Rajarajeshwari appeared before Him. She told him: "Child, Be happ. I am immensely pleased with your devotion. I shall drink the milk". So saying, She drank all the milk in the tumbler.
The boy was aghast to see that the whole tumbler empty. "O! Mother" He cried: "If You drink all the milk, what is left for distributing as Prasadam? My mother will think that I have drunk all the milk, I have to give the prasadam to her. My father used to give some milk as prasadam also. Therefore, please restore some of the milk in the tumbler." How can the milk once consmed be brought back?. Can the rivers that has joined the ocean return? Can the apple that has been digested be brought back?
The Goddess told the boy that it is impossible to bring back the milk that has been consumed. The boy was in deep distress again. He thought within himself: "I will get a bad name from my mother." He prayed, "Mother please give atleast a little quantity of milk." Responding to the prayes of the young boy the Goddess drew milk from her breast and gave it to the boy. It was the sacred power of the milk whcih enabled Sankara in later years to master all the scripturers and earn lasting fame as a great spiritual leader revered by all.
After the father left, the boy followed his fathers instructions. He filled a tumbler with milk, placed it before the image of the Goddess Rajarajeshwari and prayed: "Mother! Accept this offering of milk". He went on praying to the Goddess. When he found that the milk remained untouched, he became very sad. He cried: "Mother! What great crime I have committed? When my father offered the milk you used to take it, when I am offering, You are not taking". He was in a deep distress. He was thinking whether there was any lapse on his part, he became desperate. He declared in agony : "Mother! If You do not take the milk I shall end my life. I would have dishonored my father. I would also be guilty of failing to fulfill my mothers command. If I cannot please my parents, what is the use in my living?". He prayed intensely to the Goddess in great agony. Moved by the naive entreaties of the boy, Rajarajeshwari appeared before Him. She told him: "Child, Be happ. I am immensely pleased with your devotion. I shall drink the milk". So saying, She drank all the milk in the tumbler.
The boy was aghast to see that the whole tumbler empty. "O! Mother" He cried: "If You drink all the milk, what is left for distributing as Prasadam? My mother will think that I have drunk all the milk, I have to give the prasadam to her. My father used to give some milk as prasadam also. Therefore, please restore some of the milk in the tumbler." How can the milk once consmed be brought back?. Can the rivers that has joined the ocean return? Can the apple that has been digested be brought back?
The Goddess told the boy that it is impossible to bring back the milk that has been consumed. The boy was in deep distress again. He thought within himself: "I will get a bad name from my mother." He prayed, "Mother please give atleast a little quantity of milk." Responding to the prayes of the young boy the Goddess drew milk from her breast and gave it to the boy. It was the sacred power of the milk whcih enabled Sankara in later years to master all the scripturers and earn lasting fame as a great spiritual leader revered by all.
