


Sankara Vijaya, published by the Ramakrishna Math in Chennai, describes how Padmapada leapt into the sky, scattering away the clouds with a slash of his mane, and literally flew into the cave, stunning all beholders. He had attained Narasimha mantra siddhi, and caught hold of the villainous Kapalika and tore him to pieces. In an avesa of Lord Narasimha he, verily, became the man-lion Lord himself temporarily. However, when the Kapalika lifted his sword and readied himself to chop off his head Sankara's disciple Padmapada (also known as Sanandana) envisioned this murderous scheme in his mind. He took the Acharya to a nearby cave, made necessary arrangements for the sacrifice-ritual and prepared himself to behead Adi Shankaracharya. This Kapalika had been nursing a grievance against Adi Shankaracharya whom he viewed as a potential threat to his faith and sect. The Lord of the famous temple in Mylapore in Chennai is worshipped as Kapaliswara. Kapalikas were followers of a particular Saiva sect who always carried human skulls, wore them as garlands around their necks and even ate and drank from these macabre vessels.

Adi Shankaracharya had once given his consent to a cruel Kapalika to take his head and offer it as a sacrifice to Goddess Kali in order to win favours from her.
