Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharyaji as Nilambar, the young boy, was about three years old when his parents passed away. He was brought up lovingly by His aunt Sumitra and sister Shashikala.
When Nilambar was about five, a relative who lived in Nepal visited their home. He was a learned Pandit who earned his livelihood through performing rites and rituals in Delhi. Panditji was talented and being a karmakandi, he had many types of skills.
On his visit, everyone requested Panditji to sing. He played the harmonium and sang beautifully:
बस एक बार, बस एक बार! वृंदावन के कुछ गलिन में मुरली मधुर बजा दो श्याम…
Meaning: One more time, one more time! Play your sweet flute in the lanes of Vrindavan, Shyam…
Bhagavan Sri Krishna had already given darshan to Nilambar when He was a baby. Listening to Panditji sing about His friend, Sri Krishna’s abode Vrindavan, created intense impatience in His tender heart.
The sweet words, ‘बस एक बार, बस एक बार!’, echoed in His mind and the eagerness to go to Vrindavan grew.
Very early in life, it was clear to Him that the Atma is eternal and omnipresent.