Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada Cave is a sacred site located in Omkareshwar, India. Omkareshwar is a small town in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is considered one of the holiest places for Hindus. It is situated on an island called Mandhata or Shivapuri in the Narmada River, and it is known for its temples and spiritual significance. Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada Cave is associated with the Hindu saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Adi Shankara. Adi Shankaracharya was a philosopher and theologian who played a significant role in the revival of Hinduism and the propagation of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic philosophical school of thought. Legend has it that Sri Adi Shankaracharya meditated in this cave during his spiritual journey across India. Devotees and pilgrims visit the cave to pay their respects and seek blessings. It is considered a place of great spiritual importance and tranquillity.
According to the same Patanjali charitam, Govinda Bhagawatpada returned from Badrinath to this cave in Omkareshwar and spent many years there in hopes of running into Aadhi Shankara. Aadhi Shankara, then 8 years old, travelled by foot from the Keralan village of Kalady to the Naramada banks in quest of his master. There was a flood in the river when Aadhi 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, Aadhi Shankara instantly wrote the Narmadashtakam. The Narmada immediately dried up and entered Aadhi Shankara's "kamandalu." When he arrived at the cave, Govinda Bhagavatpada awoke after a prolonged state of meditation. He was questioned by Govinda Bhagavatpada, "Who are you?" In his response, Adhi Shankara used ten slokas. "Dasa sloki" is the name of these ten slokas. Govinda Bhagawatpada welcomed Aadhi Shankara as a disciple after hearing his response. He then gave him the "upadesa" of four maha vakhyas from the Upanishads and initiated him into sanyasa. Aadhi Shankara then spent a brief time in this cave with Govinda Bhagawatpada. Aadhi Shankara's guru bhakthi has no analog in human history. His Dakshina murthi stotram is proof of his fervent devotion to his guru.
