Decide Without Favour

This is the third post of the series 'Advice to Young Judges'. It invites them to act like Bharti, when she was requested to judge the debate between her husband Mandan Mishra and Adi Shankaracharya.

Bharti presiding over the debate between Mandan Mishra and Adi Shankaracharya - Painting courtesy Smt. Indira Singh w/o Late Lt. Gen Vijai Singh, Retd. Vice Chief of Indian Army

Adi Shankaracharya lived in the eight century AD in southern India. He was a Vedic scholar and teacher. He is the one, who established the four Maths in the four corners of our country. He believed in spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. He is said to be a reincarnation of Lord Shiva.

At the same time, there was another scholar, Mandan Mishra, who lived in Mahishi village in Mithila region in Bihar. He is said to be a reincarnation of Brahma and was more prominent of the two.  He believed in Yagya (यज्ञ), Karma (कर्म) etc. There was a conflict of these two philosophies at that time.

Adi Shankaracharya was told that he cannot establish himself unless he defeats Mandan Mishra in a debate. He came to Mahishi village and asked for the house of Mandan Mishra. He was told to look around and search for the house, where two parrots may be sitting and debating in Sanskrit. He found the house and challenged Mandan Mishra for a debate. The loser was to become the disciple of the other. A question arose who will judge the contest.

Bharti was the wife of Mandan Mishra. She is said to be a reincarnation of Goddess Saraswati. She was requested to judge the debate. The debate went on for 42 days. She pronounced her judgement in favour of Adi Shankaracharya saying: 

“Of course, spiritual wisdom is superior to mere performance of rites.” 

The fact that she was to arbitrate between these two great people did not matter. Her relationship with her husband did not count. Pure objectivity and fidelity to truth: these were the only things which weighed with her, and she gave the judgement in favour of Shankaracharya, with the result that Mandan Mishra became disciple of Adi Shankaracharya, became a Sanyasi, 

Bharti is an example of a good judge: her qualities are the qualities to be emulated. Never be influenced by personalities or the advocates in the case.

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