Desiring to take Sanyasa (monastic renunciation), Shankara faced strict opposition from his loving mother. While bathing in the Poorna River, a crocodile grabbed his leg. Shankara cried out to his mother that the crocodile would release him only if she allowed him to take emergency renunciation (Apat-sanyasa). To save his life, she agreed; the crocodile instantly let him go, and Shankara was free to pursue his divine mission.

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