Why did Shankara preach Monism in commentaries and Dualism in prayers?

[Maha Shiva Raatri Satsanga on 8^th March 2024 at Hyderabad]

[Shri JSR Prasad asked:- Swami, why did Shankara preach monism in His commentaries and stressed on Dualism in writing prayers on various forms of God?]

Swami replied:- The commentaries are meant for the sake of the atheist, who never agrees to the existence of God other than himself. The prayers are for the sake of the atheists after conversion into theists. The commentary agrees with the psychology of an adamant student. Unless you follow the psychology of an egoistic receiver for some time, you cannot convert him into your righteous line. A powerful bull running cannot be stopped on the spot. You have to run along with the bull for some time and then only, you can stop it. Running along with the running bull is His commentary and stopping the bull is His prayer to God. You must note that after writing the commentaries only, Shankara composed prayers. He also experimentally proved the dualism to His close disciples by drinking molten lead and saying that He alone is God and not others (Śivaḥ kevalo'ham).