ADI SHANKARACHARYA

NEWS: Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Adi Shankaracharya on his Jayantià celebrating the 1,200th birth anniversary of the philosopher-saint.

ABOUT

• Adi Shankaracharya (approx. 788–820 CE)à Philosopher, theologian, saintà credited with reviving Hinduism at a time when it was declining under superstition and ritualism.
• Born in Kalady, Kerala

Early Days and Quest for Knowledge

• Guru Searchà At the age of eight, driven by a desire for liberation, he left Kerala and walked 2,000 kilometers to the banks of the Narmada to find his Guru, Govindapada.
• Mastered the Vedic scriptures by age twelve+ completed all his major commentaries by the age of sixteen.

Philosophical Contribution

• Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism)àShankaracharya’s core philosophy is summarized in the statementàBrahma Satyam Jagan Mithya, Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Para (Brahman is the only Truth, the world is unreal, and there is no difference between the individual self and Brahman).
• He taught that the Atman (soul) and Brahman (Universal Consciousness) à one and the same.
• Mayaà He explained the world’s perceived reality as Maya (illusion)à disappears once true knowledge (Jnana) is attained.
• Introduced the Shanmata system, organizing the worship of six primary deities (Siva, Vishnu, Shakti, Ganesha, Muruka, and Surya) to unify diverse Hindu sects.

Literary and Organizational Works

• Commentaries (Bhashyas)à Wrote fundamental commentaries on the Prasthanatrayi—the Brahma Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and 12 major Upanishads.
• Devotional Poetryà He composed over 72 hymns, including Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, and the famous Nirvana Shatakam.
• Authored 23 books on Advaita philosophyà Viveka Chudamani and Atma Bodha.
• Four Amnaya Mathsà Preserve the Vedas, he established four primary monasteries in the four corners of India