The Chandala Encounter on the Ghats

While walking to the Ganges, Shankara’s path was blocked by a Chandala (outcaste) carrying meat and accompanied by four dogs. Shankara asked him to step aside. The Chandala sharply retorted, asking whether Shankara was telling the physical body or the omnipresent Soul to move. Realizing the Chandala was Lord Shiva in disguise testing his non-dual realization, Shankara prostrated before him and composed the Manisha Panchakam.