Sri Sankaracharya was taught that Bhakti is superior to Sidhi

Sri Sankaracharya was taught that Bhakti is superior to Sidhi

Once the great Jagadgura Sri Sankaracharya was on his aerial journey from Kaladi to Shringeri. He reached above Guruvayur temple. Siveli procession was progressing in the temple . Sankaracharya smiled at the pompness and vividity of the procession in the temple and tried to pass the temple without making any obeisance to Bhagavan.

When snubbed like this by Sri Sankara, Bhagavan decided to teach him that Bhakti is superior to Sidhi . Suddenly Sankara came crashing down and the Siveli procession stopped there at the northwest corner. He soon recovered and saw Bhagavan Sri Krishna in all his divinity. Realizing the cause of his fall, Sankaracharya prostrated before Bhagavan and tried to win Bhagavan's favour by singing Bhajahovindam and Govinda Ashtakam. (The small opening in the roof over the North- West courtyard is in commemoration of this event). Sankaracharya stayed for (41) days at the temple . And he instituted the ritual of *Mandala Vilakku* (lighting of lamps for 41days) .