Sankara knew where to go
Yet he walked miles to go.
He reached Narmada River,
That overflowed with water.

He controlled its force
And directed its course
To flow inside the river
With his divine power.

Govind Bhagawadpada, a sage,
Saw this boy of young age,
Doing such a miracle,
Was fit to be his disciple.

Sankara had his head
Then neatly shaved.
After taking river-bath,
He wore a saffron cloth.

In this sacred dress
His look did impress
With his face so bright
Like that of sun light.

This showed a sign,
Of a Sanyasi divine,
Who came as a savior
There at the right hour.

From Guru, he learnt well
The words of Vedas all.
With Guru’s permission,
He started his mission.

“Everything is so divine.
That’s God’s reflection.
So is every being,
As a part of His living.”

This salient principle
Vedas’ words in simple,
A lesson from his Master,
He preached everywhere.

He went to Kasi first,
Pilgrim center, the best,
Where many Pundits lived
And there he stayed.

He felt it was a fit place,
To start with his cause,
And win those Pundits
In the religious debates.

Seeing his debating skill,
Many became his disciples.
Promoted then as a teacher,
He became a good preacher.

As bees fly around a flower
Many pundits came to hear.
Sankarachariar he became,
Later with this new name.

Rajaram Ramachandran

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/adi-sankara-06-a-guru-was-found/