Once in Kashi – the land dedicated to Brahma Vidya, Adi Shankaraachaarya, was on his way to the temple after finishing his bath in Ganga. Suddenly he saw a chandaala (an outcaste) and his four dogs on the way, and told him to moved away from him, as per the custom in those days. The Chandala then asked him a question in two verses which gave birth to this profound text.