Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankara, also known as Shankaracharya, was a renowned Indian philosopher who flourished between 788 and 820 CE. Recognized as a highly influential figure in the rich tapestry of Indian philosophy, he is best remembered for his profound teachings in Advaita Vedanta.This philosophy emphasizes the existence of a singular reality as the fundamental essence behind all apparent diversity. Shankara’s enduring legacy extends to his role in harmonizing diverse schools of Hindu thought, contributing significantly to the revival of Hinduism in the wake of Islamic invasions.

Shankaracharya’s Early Life

Adi Shankaracharya was likely born in the 8th century AD in Kaladi village of Kerala. His birth name was Shankara or Shiva.
The exact birth date of Adi Shankaracharya is uncertain. Born to parents Shivaguru and Aryamba, his mother prayed for a son who could enlighten the world.
Even as a young boy, Adi Shankaracharya displayed exceptional intelligence and wisdom. He possessed a sharp memory and a profound ability to recollect information, often asking spiritual questions about life’s purpose.
Losing his father at a young age, Adi Shankaracharya’s mother Aryamba took on the responsibility of raising him alone. She instilled values of truth, non-violence, and devotion while nurturing his spiritual knowledge.
At the age of 8, Adi Shankaracharya left home to become a Sanyasi. Initially met with resistance from his mother, Aryamba, he convinced her of his important mission in the world. With her blessings, he embarked on a spiritual journey.
Traveling to sacred places, Adi Shankaracharya studied the Vedas and Upanishads under various gurus. He delved into Buddhist and Jain philosophies, critically analyzing them to identify weaknesses.
At 16, Adi Shankaracharya met Guru Govindapada, who taught him Advaita Vedanta. Recognizing his excellence, the guru initiated him as a sanyasi, marking the beginning of his dedicated spiritual path.
After extensive travels, Adi Shankaracharya established four mathas (monasteries) across India in his mid-20s. Appointing key disciples as heads, these mathas played a crucial role in transmitting Advaita Vedanta knowledge systematically.
Adi Shankaracharya engaged in debates with scholars of various religions, showcasing his sharp intellect and scriptural mastery. His victories helped revive Vedic philosophies and strengthen Hinduism.
Adi Shankaracharya wrote numerous texts and commentaries on the Upanishads and Vedas. His simple yet profound interpretations made Vedanta knowledge accessible to the masses.
Despite a young age at the time of his passing, Adi Shankaracharya succeeded in his mission of reviving Hinduism through the widespread dissemination of Advaita Vedanta.

Shankaracharya Philosophy

Advaita Vedanta

It is a version of Vedanta translated as non-dualism.
According to it, the world exists because of Brahman’s creative energy (my), which is the ultimate, transcendent, and immanent God of the later Vedas.
The world has no separate existence apart from Brahman.
The transcendental self of the universe (tman) and the experiencing self (jva) are both identical in truth (both are Brahman), but the individual self appears to be different in the same way that space inside a container appears to be different from space as a whole.
These cardinal doctrines are represented in the verse “Brahma satyamjaganmithya; jīvobrahmaivanaaparah” (Brahman is alone True, and this world of plurality is an error; the individual self is not different from Brahman).
Because of erroneous judgments (mithya) and ignorance, there is a plurality (avidya).
These mistakes are eliminated through understanding Brahman, which also results in freedom from the cycle of reincarnation and worldly servitude.

Shankaracharya Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti movement refers to the rise of devotional worship and ideology in Hinduism between the 7th century and 15th centuries.
Adi Shankaracharya, a saint poet and social reformer, advocated the path of devotion and love for God as a means to attain salvation.
Despite being associated with Advaita Vedanta, he contributed to the growth of bhakti, particularly in the early stages of the Bhakti movement.
While his core teachings centered on self-knowledge and non-dualism, Adi Shankaracharya also endorsed the path of devotion (bhakti marga) for spiritual upliftment.
His writings emphasized that devotion to the supreme Brahman is an effective means to realize the truth beyond duality.
Adi Shankaracharya composed spiritual poems and stotras praising deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Devi. His creation of the Lalita Sahasranama stotra, dedicated to the goddess Lalita Tripurasundari, significantly influenced the divine mother tradition and popularized deity worship.
The saint established mathas or monasteries across India, becoming hubs for religious and spiritual teachings.
The disciple lineages from these mathas played a vital role in preserving and propagating the philosophy of devotion and divine love for centuries.
Adi Shankaracharya, while emphasizing philosophical knowledge, did not discourage rituals and devotional practices.
He recognized the appeal of the path of devotion to different spiritual temperaments and sought to integrate jnana (knowledge) and bhakti (devotion) as complementary means to attain the ultimate truth.
Shankaracharya stressed that rituals and devotional worship create a conducive spiritual environment, acting as preparatory measures for higher knowledge. Although rituals do not directly lead to moksha, they help cultivate dispassion, a prerequisite for the arising of wisdom.
Adi Shankaracharya encouraged the practice of nama japa, or chanting the Names of God, as a form of meditation. This practice harmonizes the mind, filling it with divine love and grace. Chanting the divine Names prepares seekers for self-knowledge.
Despite laying the foundation for Advaita Vedanta, Adi Shankaracharya recognized the value of deity worship and chanting divine Names. He successfully integrated the paths of knowledge and devotion within his teachings.
The institutions and traditions established by Adi Shankaracharya nurtured the growth of bhakti among spiritual seekers for centuries. His philosophy and organizational efforts formed a crucial basis for the flourishing of the Bhakti movement in later times.

Disciples Of Adi Shankaracharya

Shankara came to be affectionately known as Shankaracharya among students. Although he had numerous disciples, four standout individuals emerged as his most prominent followers, garnering widespread recognition. These devoted disciples not only played a pivotal role in spreading Shankaracharya’s teachings but also took charge of the four monastic institutions established by him. Here, we introduce Shankara’s four primary disciples who played key roles in the propagation of his philosophical legacy.

His 4 main disciples were:

Padmapada,
Totakacharya,
Hasta Malaka,
Sureshvara.

Padmapada:

Born in Adi Shankaracharya’s time, Padmapada was a devoted disciple who once found himself drying his master’s clothes on the banks of the Ganges.
In a touching incident, he crossed the mighty Ganges with his master’s attire, showcasing his deep reverence for Adi Shankaracharya.

Totakacharya:

Totakacharya, hailing from Giri, earned his moniker for his unwavering devotion and poetic contribution, specifically the “Totakashtakam.”
Initially considered a fool by other disciples for his single-minded dedication, Totakacharya eventually gained the honor of receiving all of Shankaracharya’s knowledge.

Hasta Malaka:

Shankaracharya encountered Hasta Malaka, a Brahmin child with extraordinary abilities, near Kollur in Karnataka.
Despite warnings about the child’s peculiar behavior, Shankaracharya was impressed when Hasta Malaka eloquently explained Advaita philosophy and accepted him as a student.

Sureshwara:

Sureshwara, initially leading a conventional life, was drawn to Shankaracharya through his association with Mandana Misra, a prominent practitioner of Nirakara Mimamsa.
Following a challenging debate with Mandana Misra, Sureshwara embraced Shankaracharya’s teachings and went on to establish the “Naduvil Matham” in Thrissur, known as Sureshvara.

Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya

Philosophical Contributions:

Adi Shankara formulated the “Shanmata” system, categorizing worship into six sects with emphasis on five principal deities: Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, Muruka, Ganesha, and Surya.
He reinstated the dasanami structure, organizing monks under ten titles and strengthening the sannyasa tradition.

Literary Contributions:

Shankara composed 72 devotional and meditative hymns, such as Soundarya Lahari, Sivananda Lahari, and Nirvana Shalkam.
Authored foundational works like VivekaChudamani, AtmaBodha, VaakyaVritti, and UpadesaSahasri, expounding on the principles of Advaita Vedanta.
Wrote 18 commentaries on major scriptural texts, including Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and 12 Upanishads, with the oldest surviving commentary on ‘Brahma Sutra’ known as ‘Brahmasutrabhasya.’

Healing of Religion:

Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta emerged as a robust response to the challenges faced by Hinduism from the ascetic traditions of Mahavira Jaina and Gautama Buddha, providing a unifying philosophy during a period of religious chaos.

Establishment of Ashrams:

Established in Badrinath, Uttarakhand, advocating ‘Ayamatma Brahma,’ based on Atharva Veda, with Totakacharya as its head.
Situated in Puri, Odisha, affiliated with the Jagannath temple, it promotes ‘Prajnanam Brahma’ from Rig Veda, led by Padmapada.
Founded in Karnataka along the Tunga River, adhering to the Yajur Veda principles and the motto “AhamBrahmasmi,” with Sureshvara as its leader.
Located in Dwarka, Gujarat, it follows Sama Veda principles, advocating “Tattvamasi,” and is led by Totakacharya.

Conclusion

Shankaracharya, a remarkable figure in Indian history, continues to leave a lasting impact today. Renowned as both a philosopher and religious leader, he is credited with the unification of India. Shankaracharya played a pivotal role in promoting the Advaita (non-dualist) philosophy, asserting that Brahman, the unchanging reality, is the sole true existence. His profound teachings remain subjects of study and debate among scholars globally. Shankara’s legacy as an extraordinary thinker and philosopher remains unquestionable, with his influence enduring through the ages.

Read Also: Bhakti Movement