Adi shankaracharya - Detail Study

(Adi shankaracharya)

Adi Shankaracharya

As we talk about his birth date ,there are Several different dates had been proposed for shankara .

509-477 BCE  ,  44-12BCE  ,  680 CE

But 788-820CE .This was proposed by early 20^th scholar and was accepted by great scholars such as Max muller , Mac donnel, Pathok , Deussen and others.

(Early life)

• Shankara,  as he was known before becoming a great teacher, was born into a poor Brahmin family at kadai , present day Kerala,India

• His parents sivaguru and Aryamba , offered their prayer to Lord Shiva requesting to bless them with the child their prayers was soon answered in the form of baby boy hence many considered shankara as, he was Avatar of Shiva.

• Shankar was educated by his mother ,as he lost his father when he was just “seven” , Aryamba played a  key role in teaching Vedas and upanishads  too young Shankar.

• Shankaras upanayanam , the  invitation into student life, had to be delayed due to the death of his father and was then performed by his mother.

(Sanyasi)

• He was described as someone who was attracted to the life of sanyasi from early childhood but  his mother disapproved to become a sanyasi as his father also left him in early age.

• However his mother approved him to be a sanyasi after a lot convience done by him ,  he then went in search of a guru shankara walked at least 2000 kilometer before meeting govind bhagavatPada 

• UnderGovinda bhagavatpada's guidance , Shankar studied " Gaudapadiya Karika" , Brahmasutra, Vedas and upanishade. To his  teacher amazement shankara was able to master almost all the ancient script in the short time.

• During the course of his journey Shankar as teaching challenge by many philosopher and thinkers he was even involved in a number of debates pertaining to Hindus.

• From the age of 16 - 32 shankaracharya went forth travelling of ancient  India to connect the people with Vedas . Brahman pure consciousness is the absolute reality

• The World is fake.In essence the individual is not different from” Brahman.”  Thus by the statement " satyam jagan Mithya, jeevo Bhamaiva Na Para" . He condensed the essence of the voluminous scriptures.

(Guru)

• In those days ancient India was sunk in a superstition and spiritual activities . That degraded ritualism and Hindus

• This essence of sanatan Dharm , with its all embarrassing message of love , compassion and the universality of humankind was completely Lost in The blind performance of this  spiritual rituals.

• Shankaracharya had challenged various t scholars and leaders of various religious sets in vigorous disputes .

• They championed their own interpretations of the sculptures but the prodigious boy sage was easily able to overcome all of them and make them understand the wisdom of teachings.  These men of stature  then accept shankaracharya as their guru.

(MATHA)

Adi shankaracharya founded four monaasteries ( MATHA) -one each at the four cardinal points in India . Here are the four mathas founded by shankaracharya.

1.  Sringeri sharada peetham -this was the first monastery founded by Adi shankaracharya it is located at the southern part of India along the banks of ganga Suresh dwara was made the head of this mother as shankaracharya mood on the established other mothers Shri giri shradha advocates “AHAM brahmasmi” ( I am the Brahman) and was formed on the basis of Yajur veda.

2.  Dvaraka pitha – Dvaraka  Pitha  is located in the western  part of india.  Hasta Malaka , who came to be known as hastamalakacharya , was made the head of this Matha . Dvaraka Pitha advocates  tallvamasi . ( That thou art) and was formed on the basis of sama  Veda.

3.  Jyotimatha Peetham –This  monastery is located in the northern part of india Totakacharya was made the head of this matha which advocated “ Ayamatma Brahma” Jyotimatha Peetham was formed on the basis of Atharva Veda

4.  Govardhana Matha – Govardhana matha is located at  the eastern part of india  The matha is a part of famous jahannath temple. Pdmapada was made the head of this monastery which advocates “ Prajnanam Brhma” it was formed on the basis of Rig veda.

(Death)

• Adi sankara is belived to have died aged of 32 ,  at kedarnath in the northern , Indian state of uttarakhand , a hindu piligrimage site in the Himalayas.

• Some Text say's that he was last seen by his discipline behind the Kedarnath Temple , walking on the Himalayas until he was not traced. Some text locate hios death in alternate Locations such as Kanchipuram ( Tamil Nadu) and somewhere in the state of kerala.

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