The true worth of a student
Only an expert jeweller knows the value of a real diamond, even if it is wrapped in layers of dust or is not chiseled.
As Shankaracharya stayed in Shringeri teaching several students, one of his pupils named Giri, was always poked fun of by the others, who completely under rated him. Giri on the other hand was not just brilliant, but also extremely humble and did not believe in the open display of his merit, as he felt that it was sufficient that his teacher knew of his caliber.
One day when Giri was late for a lecture, Shankaracharya wanted to wait till he came. Most students just jeered, saying he would not be able to comprehend the lessons anyway. Hurt at their conceit, the Shankaracharya thought time was ripe to inaugurate Giri’s eminence.
So when Giri arrived the Acharya asked him to give a discourse on the Self and its nature. Much to the awe of the class, Giri expounded the gist of Vedanta in Trotaka Vritta, a highly complicated metrical form. Ashamed at their folly, the students apologised to both their teacher and Giri. Shankaracharya then accepted Giri as his fourth principal disciple and called him "Trotakacharya".
The unconventional
When the young Shankara had left Kalati, he had promised his mother that he would return in her last days.
When the time came and his mother’s end approached, Shankaracharya offered ‘Shiva Bhujanga Stotra’ and ‘Vishnu Stotra’ and returned to his native town to pray that she might die peacefully and attain heavenly abode. This was extremely atypical, as once a man adorns ochre clothing, it means he has burnt all ties with his past and has taken a new birth. He is therefore not allowed to acknowledge any previous relations.
The people of Kalati felt that Shankaracharya had corrupted the tradition and so they boycotted the funeral. Not a single person from the village came forward to help. With great difficulty, Shankaracharya had to carry his mother’s body to the backyard of their house and light her pyre.
Though ostracized by the society for doing so, Shankaracharya kept true his word to his mother.
